unhappy with ice cream

I think this is the most unhappy I’ve ever seen a child with ice cream that’s still on the cone.

I have no idea who the kid is, but it's a picture from Ellie's 1st birthday party.

camping with the fam at Big Trees State Park

I was one point away from skunking Val at cribbage.  She pegged over the line though and was (is) very proud of herself.  Geigy would be impressed.

Turns out Carl is the most consistent at roasting the perfect marshmallow.

We had a bear visit us the first night.  Turns out they’re smart enough to open the doors to the lockers but haven’t realized they can break the extra chain (yet).

So the bear that opened up our locker didn’t get in but made a big racket.  When Val and Gary woke up and made some noise (i got there eventually) it meandered off but not before checking the back of my truck for anything good.

A big tree (hence the name of the park).

Amanda and Emily, our tour guides.

Val and me between some big trees.

We went rappelling and spelunking at Moaning Caverns.  This is at the end of the 165ft rappel.  Val went first, but unfortunately got stuck dangling for a while at the end.

I got stuck in a hole spelunking.  After I failed to get through, the guide told us that the biggest person she’s seen go through that hole was 105lbs.  I’m pretty sure this was the 1st time my butt was too big for something.

The classic goofy grin self portrait.

Robby going through ‘the pancake press’.

Jarrett’s second trip through ‘the birth canal’.

Unfortunately we don’t have a before shot to go with this after shot, but we didn’t actually get too dirty.

Robbie’s coveralls had a hole….

Val cooking under a tree (in the rain) on the last day.  Well, it was supposed to be the penultimate day, but we decided to make it the last day due to the soggy conditions.

Open window

-SteveThe window in my hotel room opens! (albeit in an odd way)

San Diego Trip

Val and I made a quick trip to San Diego to see Michelle, Chad and Olivia (teo cousins) as well as my buddy Nate over Memorial Day weekend.

With Mich, Chad and Olivia on or near the USS Midway.



Snorkeling with Nate in La Jolla Shores.

Ironic

Organic express next door to McDonalds at the San Diego airport.

-Steve

I've given in

And become one of the masses. Though on the on the company dime.

-Steve
Sent from my iPhone

Val's New Car

I surprised her. :)

Corey Hart circa 1984

It got stuck in my head this morning so I thought I'd share.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLEuWEvH5GI

Lightening

Singapore lightening storms are really fun but they don't usually last too long.  This one has been going on for a while so I'm enjoying it from the rooftop pool (under cover) while waiting for my dinner.
- Steve

New York according to Singapore

"You can bring a cowboy to New York but you can't bring the country out of him."
- Steve

Application to work in Singapore

Some excerpts from the 14 page application (+copy of my college diploma + picture from the last 3 months + copy of passport + travel itinerary).

 

When/where was I born?

What is my race?

What is my religion? (Free Thinker is one of the 8 options but atheist and agnostic are not)

How much money do I make at my current and all previous jobs?

Am I divorced/married/separated/single/widowed?

What is my spouse’s name and birthday?

Have I ever been deported from any country?

 

Plus I get to sign that I won’t use drugs, take part in any political activity or take part in any activity that would make me an “undesirable”.

 

-Steve

You learn something new everyday

Today for instance, I learned how to manually operate my business class seat/bed because the fancy buttons wouldn't work.

For the record, next time you fly with me and I pull the arm rest off or start feeling around under the foot rest, I know what I'm doing.  I promise.  :)

- Steve

Unfortunate lesson of the week:

When encouraging Holmes to drive past HC, at high speed, through the mud, for the expressed purpose of splashing HC’s car; make sure HC’s window isn’t open first.

After 15 minutes of cleaning mud off the steering wheel, dash, windshield (inside), and HC himself; he was remarkably good natured about it though.

Bob's giant burgers

They served my chili burger with a knife and fork.  Mnnn good.
- Steve

deep fried sandwich

I'm told it's a midwest thing, but tonight was the first time i've eaten a monte cristo.  It's a ham/cheese/turkey/cheese triple decker sandwich that's battered, deep fried, covered in powdered sugar and you dip it in raspberry jam.  And it comes with a side of fries.  Obesity might not be such a bad lifestyle after all....
- Steve