I've seen a couple flicks recently and thought I'd give my two cents (or more like three cents since my opinion carries so much weight :)) on them. First off is Ben Stein's Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed. This movie was great! I really don't know much about Intelligent Design (I.D.) other than the Young Earth theory, so I didn't go into it with much expectation or previous knowledge. But the point of the movie isn't to teach you about I.D., but to set it up as a plausible explanation of life that should be given equal weight to evolution in research and teaching institutions. I will warn you that the injustice displayed will at times make you pretty pissed off. The only qualm I have is the extent to which Ben Stein correlates evolution and Nazism. (Not that I disagree with it, just that I thought it was a bit much). The final scene (an interview with Richard Dawkins, author of The God Delusion) is a truly heartbreaking picture of blind pride and arrogance.
The second movie is Under the Same Moon. This movie is a social commentary on illegal immigration. It's a story about a mother who leaves her 9 year-old son in Mexico with his sick Grandma and illegally goes to America to work up enough money to bring him legally there. The son then spends three-fourths the movie trying to make his way to his mom himself as an illegal immigrant. Overall, it's a good movie...a bit corny at times, but good. The entire movie is in subtitles, which irked me initially (as those of you who have watched Italian movies with me know...ahem Levi and Courtney), but then I got used to it. An interesting aspect to the movie was that the songs in the movie were satirical (the lyrics were subtitled) towards America's immigration policies (talking about kicking Superman out of the US as an illegal alien...kinda clever actually). I wonder if they play those songs on Mexican radio here in the US? It's good for me to get a perspective other than that of the great Dr. Michael Savage on immigration policies :)
Well, those are my critiques. Take it or leave it!
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Saturday, April 19, 2008
No Place like...CO!
Last weekend I flew to Colorado to catch the last weekend that Vail was open for skiing. Two words: Top Five! That is, this was definitely in the top five ski outings of my life! We were skiing in 2 feet of fresh powder...and it was freaking April! And the base was higher than I've ever seen. Some of the trail signs had to be dug out of the snow to be seen...crazy!
On Friday, Brandon and I skied, and the conditions were a bit chilly. It was snowing pretty much all day and was 20 degrees at the warmest. Definitely NOT the California spring skiing! But I must say, it was kind of nice actually sinking down in the light fluffy powder, instead of hardly even making a dent in it like the Sierra Cement. On most the runs we were in deeper than our ski boots!
On Saturday, Zach and I skied with our personal ski instructor (my uncle!). The conditions were better because it wasn't snowing and it was probably 25-30 degrees. For those of you Vail fans, you can appreciate the fact that we skied all day and never skied the same run! We did the famed Lover's Leap of course (my stomach never seems to get less queezy looking down from the edge!). At the end of the day, we watched something I've never seen before...Pond Skimming. This was pretty sweet. Skiers get dressed up in costumes, and ski down a short run to get speed, and at the bottom is a pond of water which they skim across. Only about 25% of them make it all the way across! On a more typical spring day where the snow's crappy and it's 45 degrees, it'd be great to grab a beer and sit down and watch it. After an entire ski season in CA, I've decided that the skiing in CO trumps that in CA (except for the weather)...powdery snow, bigger mountains, ritzy resorts.
Saturday night me, Zach, and one of Zach's friends hit downtown Denver. Pretty crazy night. I'll leave you with a few words and you can piece the rest together: 1 hr of free drinks, 5 clubs, 4AM.
Brandon has definitely become a loco...I mean local!
These signs are on 10 ft poles! Anyone remember normally skiing UNDER these?!
Pond skimming...I may have to try this next year...NOT!
On Friday, Brandon and I skied, and the conditions were a bit chilly. It was snowing pretty much all day and was 20 degrees at the warmest. Definitely NOT the California spring skiing! But I must say, it was kind of nice actually sinking down in the light fluffy powder, instead of hardly even making a dent in it like the Sierra Cement. On most the runs we were in deeper than our ski boots!
On Saturday, Zach and I skied with our personal ski instructor (my uncle!). The conditions were better because it wasn't snowing and it was probably 25-30 degrees. For those of you Vail fans, you can appreciate the fact that we skied all day and never skied the same run! We did the famed Lover's Leap of course (my stomach never seems to get less queezy looking down from the edge!). At the end of the day, we watched something I've never seen before...Pond Skimming. This was pretty sweet. Skiers get dressed up in costumes, and ski down a short run to get speed, and at the bottom is a pond of water which they skim across. Only about 25% of them make it all the way across! On a more typical spring day where the snow's crappy and it's 45 degrees, it'd be great to grab a beer and sit down and watch it. After an entire ski season in CA, I've decided that the skiing in CO trumps that in CA (except for the weather)...powdery snow, bigger mountains, ritzy resorts.
Saturday night me, Zach, and one of Zach's friends hit downtown Denver. Pretty crazy night. I'll leave you with a few words and you can piece the rest together: 1 hr of free drinks, 5 clubs, 4AM.
Brandon has definitely become a loco...I mean local!
These signs are on 10 ft poles! Anyone remember normally skiing UNDER these?!
Pond skimming...I may have to try this next year...NOT!Thursday, April 3, 2008
Friends and Fam! (Days 3 & 4 of 4)
So I've decided that it's kinda lame blogging about something that happened three weeks ago now, so I'm gonna cram the last two days of the festivities into one last blog here...so enjoy!
After our day in San Fran, we drove south on the Coastal Highway (Hwy 1) that runs along Pacific, through Santa Cruz and spent the night in Monterey. The girls had it in their heads that they were going to lay out on the beach, so this was the best chance we had. In the morning, we drove to Carmel Beach via 17 Mile Drive. 17 Mile Drive is a beautiful, windy road along the ocean (not quite 17 miles long) that connects Monterey to Carmel. Some of the points of interest along 17 Mile Drive is the Lone Cypress Tree, Ghost Tree, Spyglass Golf Course, and Pebble Beach Golf Course. Once in Carmel Beach, we found our spot far away from the water in a nook between bushes to get out of the wind! (It was 60 degrees and a bit breezy). Never-the-less, swimsuits were worn and sunburns were obtained!
The last day was a relaxing day in Santa Rosa...golfing, shopping, laying out at the pool, In 'n Out Burger etc. It seems like that was months ago, and it was only three weeks! And the 4 days flew by...it seems like I blinked and then the weekend was over. Jeff had a great idea for next time: we should just sit around and stare at the wall, that way the time will go by slower! Part of me would actually be in favor of that (so whoever comes out to visit me next knows what to expect :)
Tossin' the football at Carmel Beach
Mmmmm......(refer to several previous blogs about this amazing fast food restaurant)
The famed look-away at Lone Cypress...it never gets old!
I wish that was us golfing at Pebble Beach!
The last night in Napa Valley
After our day in San Fran, we drove south on the Coastal Highway (Hwy 1) that runs along Pacific, through Santa Cruz and spent the night in Monterey. The girls had it in their heads that they were going to lay out on the beach, so this was the best chance we had. In the morning, we drove to Carmel Beach via 17 Mile Drive. 17 Mile Drive is a beautiful, windy road along the ocean (not quite 17 miles long) that connects Monterey to Carmel. Some of the points of interest along 17 Mile Drive is the Lone Cypress Tree, Ghost Tree, Spyglass Golf Course, and Pebble Beach Golf Course. Once in Carmel Beach, we found our spot far away from the water in a nook between bushes to get out of the wind! (It was 60 degrees and a bit breezy). Never-the-less, swimsuits were worn and sunburns were obtained!
The last day was a relaxing day in Santa Rosa...golfing, shopping, laying out at the pool, In 'n Out Burger etc. It seems like that was months ago, and it was only three weeks! And the 4 days flew by...it seems like I blinked and then the weekend was over. Jeff had a great idea for next time: we should just sit around and stare at the wall, that way the time will go by slower! Part of me would actually be in favor of that (so whoever comes out to visit me next knows what to expect :)
Tossin' the football at Carmel Beach
Mmmmm......(refer to several previous blogs about this amazing fast food restaurant)
The famed look-away at Lone Cypress...it never gets old!
I wish that was us golfing at Pebble Beach!
The last night in Napa ValleyTuesday, March 25, 2008
Friends and Fam! (Day 2 of 4)
After dominating the Sonoma wine valley, it was time to make our Nebraska footprint in "the City" (San Francisco). Aside from the crazy liberalness, I really enjoy San Fran! Not only is it the home city of Michael Savage (genious radio-host who wrote the book 'Liberalism is a Mental Disorder'), but it's really a neat city with a lot of character. And we had a great day for it...60's and sunny. Overall, we did the usual...Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman's Wharf, Alta Plaza overlook of the city...but then we added a pretty darn sweet twist: GoCars!!!
Every time I had been to the City before, I had seen these little three-wheeled, two-seater yellow go-cart things zooming around on the streets. After searching on Google for a half hour (ya, kinda long for a google search, but that's Al Gore for ya!) I found it...GoCars! And we were all in agreement that they are a must do! And I must admit, I really don't know how these things are legal on the streets. They have a GPS guided system that take you all over the City...Golden Gate National Park, Cliffhouse, Robin William's house (I guess he lives in San Fran), Alamo Square, Lombard Street...but then we also took them off the course and went our own ways too. We spent 3 hours racing around the city and after getting multiple weird looks and waves, and water balloons thrown at us, we ended our rampage! Oh my, I don't think San Francisco saw this coming...they can handle the Purple Hand of the Gay Agenda, and the crazy protests of CodePink against the Marine recruiters (see http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/02/07/berkeley.protests/index.html), but they definitely couldn't handle these five Nebraskans (well, I guess 4 nebraskans and 1 minnesotan...emphasis on the "o") tearin' up their streets!
In front of GGB at Crissy Park
These things rock! There's Jeff struggling along behind!
Driving down Lombard Street...we were definitely the shiznit...lots of foreigners waving and taking pics!
Recognize these houses? Here's a hint:
What ever happend to predictability?
The milk man, the paper boy, evening T.V
You miss your old familar friends, but
waiting just around the bend.
Everywhere you look...
Chity Chi bob botta!
Every time I had been to the City before, I had seen these little three-wheeled, two-seater yellow go-cart things zooming around on the streets. After searching on Google for a half hour (ya, kinda long for a google search, but that's Al Gore for ya!) I found it...GoCars! And we were all in agreement that they are a must do! And I must admit, I really don't know how these things are legal on the streets. They have a GPS guided system that take you all over the City...Golden Gate National Park, Cliffhouse, Robin William's house (I guess he lives in San Fran), Alamo Square, Lombard Street...but then we also took them off the course and went our own ways too. We spent 3 hours racing around the city and after getting multiple weird looks and waves, and water balloons thrown at us, we ended our rampage! Oh my, I don't think San Francisco saw this coming...they can handle the Purple Hand of the Gay Agenda, and the crazy protests of CodePink against the Marine recruiters (see http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/02/07/berkeley.protests/index.html), but they definitely couldn't handle these five Nebraskans (well, I guess 4 nebraskans and 1 minnesotan...emphasis on the "o") tearin' up their streets!
In front of GGB at Crissy Park
These things rock! There's Jeff struggling along behind!
Driving down Lombard Street...we were definitely the shiznit...lots of foreigners waving and taking pics!
Recognize these houses? Here's a hint:What ever happend to predictability?
The milk man, the paper boy, evening T.V
You miss your old familar friends, but
waiting just around the bend.
Everywhere you look...
Chity Chi bob botta!
Monday, March 24, 2008
Friends and Fam! (Day 1 of 4)
I figured the best way to recap the fun and festivities of last weekend is a day-by-day breakdown. There are several reasons for this. 1) There are lots of pics and fun to tell of 2) It gives me blogging material for the next 4 blogs!
Our first day wine tasting in Sonoma Valley! More specifically, it was barrel-tasting weekend -- all the wine you can drink for $55. This is when they "tap the bungholes" (that is the actual term) of the wine casks and siphon it out for us to drink. There also were food pairings with each wine that were pretty darn culinarily pleasing! The best news...I only had one run-in with a "cougar", so I deem that a pretty successful day :) By the end, we had visited 5 wineries and tasted a little Chardonnay and Merlot, but mostly Zinfindel, Cabernet, and Pinot Noir. We went home and pretty much crashed...darn depressents!
Would you like some cheese with the wine?
Jeff gets wine from a cask (To make this tagline more funny, replace "gets" with "taps", delete "wine from", and replace "cask" with "bunghole") [snickering]
The group in front of the wine caves
The group at Ledson Vineyard
Our first day wine tasting in Sonoma Valley! More specifically, it was barrel-tasting weekend -- all the wine you can drink for $55. This is when they "tap the bungholes" (that is the actual term) of the wine casks and siphon it out for us to drink. There also were food pairings with each wine that were pretty darn culinarily pleasing! The best news...I only had one run-in with a "cougar", so I deem that a pretty successful day :) By the end, we had visited 5 wineries and tasted a little Chardonnay and Merlot, but mostly Zinfindel, Cabernet, and Pinot Noir. We went home and pretty much crashed...darn depressents!
Would you like some cheese with the wine?
Jeff gets wine from a cask (To make this tagline more funny, replace "gets" with "taps", delete "wine from", and replace "cask" with "bunghole") [snickering]
The group in front of the wine caves
The group at Ledson VineyardSunday, March 23, 2008
59 Holes in 5 Days
Whew! The last nine days have been a whirlwind. Tate, Brenna, Jeff, and Amanda (Brenna's friend) came to visit me last Friday. They stayed until Wednesday, except Jeff, who just left today. There was much fun to be had which I will fill you in on very soon. But in short, I'm definitely in friend withdrawal right now!
For the last five days, Jeff and I have hit the golf courses around Santa Rosa, We averaged 12 holes per evening after I got done with work each day. And then on Saturday we played at a really sweet course in the redwoods about 12 miles from the ocean, designed by the same guy who designed Augusta. The course was only 9 holes and was pretty short, but it was pretty darn narrow! There were several times where my ball ricocheted off several trunks and still managed to land in the fairway! Frustrations aside, it was definitely a gorgeous course and we had a blast. All told, we ended up laying 59 holes of golf in 5 days...I didn't even want to look at my clubs today! The most frustrating thing is I played my best golf on the first 9 holes on Tuesday, and it went downhill from there!
Pics of Northwood Golf Club in the redwoods
For the last five days, Jeff and I have hit the golf courses around Santa Rosa, We averaged 12 holes per evening after I got done with work each day. And then on Saturday we played at a really sweet course in the redwoods about 12 miles from the ocean, designed by the same guy who designed Augusta. The course was only 9 holes and was pretty short, but it was pretty darn narrow! There were several times where my ball ricocheted off several trunks and still managed to land in the fairway! Frustrations aside, it was definitely a gorgeous course and we had a blast. All told, we ended up laying 59 holes of golf in 5 days...I didn't even want to look at my clubs today! The most frustrating thing is I played my best golf on the first 9 holes on Tuesday, and it went downhill from there!
Pics of Northwood Golf Club in the redwoods
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Dual with a Scam Artist!
In trying to sell my Nissan Maxima, I came across a real live scam artist trying to doop me! Boy, did they choose the wrong sucker...this one Tanner Augustin is a little quicker than the average bear. Enjoy the email correspondence! (Her responses are a bit lengthy at times).
Goodday seller,
My name is Teresa, and i want to make enquiries about this item for my
client which is interested in immediate purchase of this item and is ready to
pay through US cashiers check. Before the check will be sent to you i want to
tell you that it will be including some extra amount on the check which is meant
for the shipping of this item to the buyer destination,what you are to do when
you get the check is to deduct your money[asking price]and send the remaining
money[leftover] to the shipping company immediately in order for them to come
for the pick up of the item faster.If all this is understood by you get back to
me with your full name,address,phone number and where to send the check to
immediately.And also i will like to know the present condition of the item and
the final asking price if available?Here are the information needed from
you:
FULL NAME?
ADDRESS?
CITY AND ZIP CODE?
PHONE #?
FINAL ASKING PRICE?
hope to read from you soon.
Regards,Teresa.Teresa,
My name is Tanner Augustin and my phone number is 916.708.7380. The final asking price of the car is $12,000. Before I give you my address, I'd like to know what company you're with? How much will thecost of shipping be? I assume I can cash the check before I send the car? I tried calling the number you provided, but it didn't got hrough. Thanks. Hope to hear back. TannerThanks for reply to my email...i want to let u know that i will be theone to take care of the shipping and i want u to get back to me withur final selling price and ur full details to send out the payment....ty and hope to read from u soon.
Teresa,
My final selling price is $12000. I would like to talk to you over thephone if that's okay so I can ask some more details. You didn'tmention your company name or whether I can cash the check before Isend the car. You can send the check to 3001 Aurora Ct, Santa Rosa CA95405. Thanks.
TannerHello , Thanks for the reply and the information you sent and am very happy,well its all good, I want you to delete the Advert from the Website. Concerning payment I have just contacted my Client now and he has said he will issue out a check of nothing less than $12,000 to your contact address in you will remove the asking price $15,000.00 after cashing it at your bank, Since it will be a check so i would want you to get an extra $100 for your running around which makes all your money $15,0100 and then send the balance to my shipping agent via western union money transfer SINCE I WILL BE HANDLING THE SHIPMENT so that they will use for all their flight charges and for the insurance of the shipment when being shipped and also I would want you to do this for me because the shipper also has some other shipments of mineto handle for me in the state. I hope I can trust you on this? The information of the shipper will probably be sent alongside with the Check or when my agent is been assigned by his company for my shipments. I will notify you if my client has sent the payment and he will contact you to confirm the details you gave to me, So that there won't be any mistake whatsoever when sending the payment. Looking forward to complete this transaction with you. Get back to me as soon as possible so that we can proceed with the transaction..
Note: All western union charges and bank fee for cashing must be deducted from the Shipping funds..Teresa,
I'm not sure I get this all. What is the Advert? And I'm supposed tocash the check and then wire you all $15,100? That doesn't sound toosmart on my part. A phone call would help clear all this up for me.Thanks.
TannerWhat i mean i is that after u might have cash the check u are to deduct ur item money from the money and then take an extra $100 for urself and send the rest money back to the shipping company so that they can come for the pick of the item...Understood??
Teresa,
Just to recap. I would get the certified check. Wire $3000 to you oncethe check clears (leaving $12100 in my account). Then the movers wouldcome get the car? Tanneryes thats exactly what u are to do and i want u to get back to me with ur full info to send out the payment asap.
Teresa,
Forgive me for being suspicious, but this sounds pretty much like a textbook scam. If you're okay with me waiting the full 10-12 businessdays for the check to clear before I wire you any money for shipping,I'd feel more comfortable about it. Would that be okay? Thanks.
Tanner[No reply]
And the winner of this dual is....Tanner!
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