Ed & Julie’s Blog!

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Vancouver Washington, or bust!

Feb 17

Posted by Ed Nelson in Misc stuff

Last weekend was a 4-day weekend for me, and Julie and I decided last minute to drive up to Vancouver Washington to visit her Sister and family.

We had a plan…

1) Visit the In-Laws

2) Visit some tourist traps on the trip to break up the drive

3) Visit 2 places in Portland Oregon featured on Man Vs. Food on TV

We left early in the morning and tried to enjoy the 10+ hour drive. I have an application on my iPhone that tells me where all the fun tourist traps are, so we stopped a couple of times and took our photos. I love these goofy tourist spots!

http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/10926

  • Yreka, California – Metal Dragon

    • Just north of Yreka on the east side of I-5 (by the northbound lanes when you are starting your ascent of the Siskiyous) stands a large metal dragon. The dragon is about as far north of Yreka as the large metal cow is south. Fearsome looking creature!

http://www.roadsideamerica.com/search/tip

Once in Vancouver, the family all went to Portland to visit Voodoo Donuts. Voodoo Donuts is a wacky place with voodoo doll-shaped donuts, x-rated donuts, and every wacky, weird flavor you can think of (like a maple bar with bacon on top).

Check out a video clip from “man vs Food”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnVK3fdPkuo

That night, we went to Salvador Molly’s, a place we saw on TV that had a “Great Balls of Fire” challenge. Of you can eat 5 super-hot habanero fritters and salsa, you get your picture taken and posted to their “Wall of Flame”. This weekend was special because of valentine’s day…the “Love Stinks and Burns” promo was going on, so in addition to being hot, garlic and Blue cheese was cooking in the fritters to stink them up in addition to being massively hot.

1st fritter with salsa: no problem

2nd fritter: Piece of cake

3rd one: Getting hot

4th ball of fire: Crap…my mouth is on fire!

5th one: AHHHHH HOTHOTHOTHOT!!!

I ate all 5 of the habanero fritters and salsa, so the waitress took my photo and printed it out for me to sign. It’s on the wall with all the other fools who did the challenge too :)

Check out a video from the TV clip “Man vs Food:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xA1nAwwwAHE

I found out that I also have relatives in the Portland area (apparently close to Salvador Molly’s, I found out later), but just couldn’t fit everything into this short trip….next time for sure! Heck, I might even do the challenge again :P

The next day was time to leave (I think my mouth had finally stopped burning by that point) and we left at 5am to beat the Portland commute traffic that we got stuck in driving up. We made it out of the area with no problems and stopped at some more tourist traps:

http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/1054

http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/2194

It was a fun trip, but we fit so much into a short time that it’s gonna take a week to recover.

Worth it!!

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iPhones rock!

Jan 29

Posted by Ed Nelson in Misc stuff

Julie and I splurged, and upgraded our phones from smartphones (Blackjack IIs) to iPhones…all I can say is “WOW!”

Our phone contracts were within a month of expiring, and I had been itching for a while to get iPhones. Several coworkers have them, and I was always impressed at what they could do. The only thing holding me back was the initial cost, and the price of the calling plans, which is higher for the iPhones.

With a nice tax rebate right around the corner, we bit the bullet and got the phones. Yes, the price was a tad high ($199 plus tax, plus upgrade feels, plus accessories, etc), but the plans turned out to only be $5 more a month that I was currently paying for both phones. Now we both have unlimited texting and unlimited data plans.

Clearly, the coolest thing about iPhones are the applications (apps).  These small programs can be purchased (from free to less than $10…most are 99 cents). There are literally tens of thousands of apps to get. Here are a few that I have and REALLY like:

Facebook: Lets me get on Facebook anywhere at any time to check in with my FB friends. Send notifications right to my phone.

Flashlight: Turns your screen bright for finding the keyhole on your car door at night.

Darts: Fun little pub game for the phone.

Bejewled 2: My favorite Facebook game. I can play, and post my score to my Facebook profile.

Shazam: Hear a song and wonder who it is? Open Shazam and it will tell you the name of the song, who sings it, give you a ling to download it, read the lyrics, read the band profile, etc…The free version only lets you use it 5 times a month, so I’m upgrading soon.

Geocaching: A hobby of mine. Now I always have the info in my pocket 24/7

AppBox Lite: Contains programs such as a currency converter, calculator, countdown timer, holidays calander, tip calculator, unit converter, etc…very handy!

Koi Pond: A relaxing and super realistic Koi pond in the palm of your hand.

IMDB: The internet Movie Database has info on millions of movies. Know who starred in what movie any time you need it.

Topple: Fun little stacking game.

Blackjack: 21 for when I think I need to gamble. Cheapewr than the indian casinos.

World Tour: A game throwing paper balls into a basket. Very fun!

Yelp: resturant reviews by real people. Finds resturants around you with a click of a button.

Rotten Tomatoes: Fun MOvie reviews

Roadside: I’m a sucker for tourist traps. Click the button, and it will tell you all of the places around you. World’s Biggest Snot Ball? I’m there!

Planets: Go outside, open the program, and it will show and name the  the constillations in the sky.

Handy Level: The picture frames in my house are all straight with this bubble-leveling program

Line up free: A ‘click-3′ game. Easy and fun

Dice: Shake your phone to roll the dice. Dozens of diferent dice and games to choose from.

Sheep…free!: A game blasting a sheep into space and trying to keep him there by clicking on it when it falls.

Rope’n’ lite: A game where you swing building to building like spiderman.

DoodleJump: My favorite game at the moment. Hard to explain, fun to play.

Wordpress: Lets me update this blog from my phone.

Google: More than just a mobile web search tool. Just speak what you want to search for, and it will find it. It’s amazing.

I also want to plug the Otter Box Defender protective case we keep our phones in. It’s tough and gets great reviews. I couldn’t be happier with them.

Sooooo…that’s what’s on my phone after only 4 days or so. What apps do you have that you can’t live without? Let me know!

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Manly Hobbies

Jan 8

Posted by Ed Nelson in Misc stuff

I read an interesting blog post over at http://artofmanliness.com/ about hobbies, and it hit home.

Here are the first 2 paragraphs:

Back in the day, leisure time was not thought of as a chance to “veg out,” but as opportunity to pursue one’s passions and interests, an outlet for the sides of a man that were not stimulated in one’s career. Unfortunately, we now often spend our leisure time camped out in front of the TV or computer. We say that modern life has become too stressful, that when we have free time, laying on the couch is all we can manage.

The truth is that spending our leisure time in satisfying pursuits, “fun work,” will refresh us far more than a non-stop marathon of playing Call of Duty. Hobbies can bring you joy, increase your eye for detail, keep your mind sharp, expand your creativity, and help you meet friends and learn valuable skills. They add interest to your life and help you become a more well-rounded man. If you’ve been feeling depressed, restless, or apathetic, the problem may be the lack of having something in your life you feel passionate about, something that brings you needed fulfillment.

I bolded the last sentence, as it’s the one that rang true for me. The piece goes on to list 45 hobbies traditionally done by men during their leisure time. Several on the list were things I used to do, and reminded me how much fun some of them are (were).

The last few years, I have gotten away from my manly pursuits (hobbies). My ‘down time’ has become ‘veg time’.  I do not like New Years resolutions, but now is as good as time as any to revisit some of my hobbies what have fallen by the wayside: Martial arts, geocaching, learning guitar, gun shooting, blogging (yeah, by posting here has slowed down) and motorcycle travel.

So here is to turning over a new leaf and revisiting old hobbies!

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The Lost Symbol (book review)

Dec 14

Posted by Ed Nelson in Misc stuff

Julie and I was at Costco 2 weeks ago, and she found the new book by Dan Brown, “The Lost Symbol” on sale. She knew I had been wanting to read it, and she snatched it up for me.

Having read two good books in a row, and having really enjoyed Dan Brown’s last book “The DiVinci Code”, I jumped right into this book.

Sadly, I was not impressed. The author, trying so hard to explain the the meanings of words, symbols, and plot points to the reader, it ends up reading like you are sitting in a lecture or reading a wiki page rather than being engrossed in the story. It really took out the enjoyment. And needless to say, it was one of the most anti-climatic endings I have read in such an anticipated book. My socks were not knocked off.

I’m not going to give key points away,  but I call BS on some plot points (breathable liquid? Really??!) that just ruined the story for me.

Thumbs down…I want my $18 bucks back.

lost

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World Without End (book review)

Dec 1

Posted by Ed Nelson in Misc stuff

A few weeks ago, I finished a book by Ken Follett titled “Pillars of the Earth”. The book was amazing, and I was actually bummed when I finished it (980+ pages!)…

Last week, I started the sequel by the same author titled “World Without End”

This book takes place several hundred years after the first, and is every bit as good as the first book…something I doubted when I bought the book, but completely believe now. It’s a big book also (1014 pages!), but it goes so fast as you get engrossed in the storyline(s). I read every paragraph and sentence…I didn’t want to waste a word.

As before, I will not post any specifics about the book (I don’t want to spoil this book for you).

Enjoy the book…I did!!

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Beer Pong, part deux (aka: the Orland Hat of Shame)

Nov 30

Posted by Ed Nelson in Misc stuff

Thanksgiving at the in-laws is always entertaining. Dinner always rocks (3 turkeys this year, 1 baked, 1 BBQ’d, and 1 deep-fried), and the after-dinner merriment is a blast.

This year, a Christmas tradition started early on Thanksgiving and we played nickel poker for a few hours. Lots of laughter, lots of beer/tequila/gin along with a dozen different games of poker always makes for a crazy evening. I lost most of the poker hands, and broke a shot glass (a sure sign to slow down on the shots)!

Julie’s Step-Brother, RJ had just bought a house, and invited everyone over the following night for more merriment (less eating, more drinking). I packed my beer pong table, grabbed the last of the spare change from the laundry room, and bought a case of beer and a bottle of Jeagermeister…I was ready.

The family all met at RJs place, and it took about 30 minutes to get the house in full party mode. With 8 of us playing poker, we ended up playing with 2 decks, which made for some interesting hands (“my 7 Kings beats your 6 aces!”)!!

Poker (I broke even this night!) lead to the beer pong tournament. The teams were brothers Gary and RJ, Crystal and Jake, and Me and Anthony. Some games were quick, some were longer, but Anthony and I came out undefeated, winning all 4 games!! Whoohoo for us!!

Right off the bat, I challenged Jake to a super grudge match. I told him it was for something important, but didn’t tell him what. He went down in flames, and I pulled out the “O” HAT OF SHAME! I had purchased a knit cap with the Orland High School name and and mascot, which just happens to be Corning’s most hated rival. Jake wore the hat the rest of the night for being soooo bad at beer pong! Jake was great about it and was a good sport…

Orland hat

Most of the family called it a night fairly early after the beer pong games, and I was taught a new drinking card game (it’s called “asshole”). Basically, from what I could understand and remember, it a short game with lots f yelling, ordering your friends to drink, and trying to stay upright at the table. The game finished off everyone, and I had to call for a ride home.

The next day, I went back to RJ’s place to get m beer pong table, and everyone who had been drinking was still sleeping (this was at 10am). RJ’s wife was up, and said half the players spent the night  throwing up.

Two night of drinking in a row about did me in…I have until Christmas to prepare for the next round of beer pong…I have a Championship to defend :)

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Scavenger Hunt 11-14-09 (the creepy one)

Nov 16

Posted by Ed Nelson in Misc stuff, Motorcycle, Scavenger Hunts

Another scavenger hunt hit for me…

You and your bike by a playground with a sign that reads, “Michael Jackson is gone, but I’m here”

My wife called this one ‘creepy’…so I HAD to do it!

I rode over to a playground 5 blocks from my house. School is out, so no kids going to school (the park is next to the high school), and only 1 person in a car to watch me ride right up to the jungle gym.

I parked on that recycled tire spongy stuff, set the timer and got the pic of me with the sign reading

“Michael Jackson is gone, but I’m here”

I added “Free Candy” to the end to up the creep factor lol

 

 

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Metal Mania 10-24-09

Oct 24

Posted by Ed Nelson in Misc stuff

I haven’t had the chance to watch Metal Mania on VH1 Classic in a while. I happened to be up, so thought I would watch and comment (and be depressed my music is playing on a classic channel :(


Quiet Riot: “Cum on feel the Noize”

One of my favorite Quiet Riot (okay, Slade)  songs. Fun to see a young Rudy Sarzo…what ever happened to Carlos Cavazo?? (answer: http://www.myspace.com/officialcarloscavazo)

Warrant: “Cherry Pie”

Less Warrant, more Bobbie Brown, please!!

Europe: “The Final Countdown”

I hate that I sorta like it, and hate is because it helped the downfall of metal in the late 80’s, early 90’s. It was hard to take anyone serious with cheesy-metal everywhere….

Tesla: “Signs”

Eh, Catchy cover song…another acoustic song I can’t play. It has taken me years to realize I don’t really like Tesla. I tried. They are from Sacramento, which is less than 2 hours from me.


Twisted Sister: “You can’t Stop Rock and Roll”

Best. Song. Period.  Early TS…very cool! I love TS…it kills me that I probably won’t ever get to see them live (they are based out of New York and rarely tour the west).

An open message to Dee Snyder: I got it. The whole thing; the costume, the make up, the music. You guys rocked my face off. I wish people had seen past the glam and really listened to the music. Julie and I bow to your band’s musicianship and showmanship. Rock on TS!!! Signed, Ed (loyal SMF)

Whitesnake: “Fool for your Loving’”

Pose, play, big hair, pose, eyeliner, pose, pose, pose…a good band eventually became the blueprint for pose bands. Rudy Sarzo makes another appearance, posing more than playing. Steve Vai couldn’t look more uncomfortable or out of place playing in the pose band.

White Lion: Wait

ohforcryingoutloud…does the pain ever stop??

Winger: Easy Come, Easy Go (live…well, pretend live)

Screw it…I’m done. VH1c sucks balls.

Seriously VH1, Iron Maiden, Testament, King Diamond, and TONS of other great bands made videos too? MUST you only play the crappiest, cheesiest, poser band videos??

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The Pillars of the Earth (book review)

Oct 13

Posted by Ed Nelson in Misc stuff

After hearing the  1989 book “The Pillars of the Earth” , by Ken Follet, recommended several times, I went ahead and ordered it. I wasn’t really sure what it was about, other than it was about a man who wants to build a cathedral in the 12th century. Little did I know the vastness of the storylines of this epic book.

I was suprised when I got the book, and it was nearly 1000 pages…holy cow! The last big book I read was “The Stand” by Stephen King a while ago (a book I have read several times).

I started reading it 2 weeks ago, and got so engrossed that I hated to put it down. I could have read all 900+ pages in a couple of days, but work and chores got in the way and it took me until last night to finish it.

The book chronicles the lives of several characters, interweaving multiple storylines as the characters meet, their storylines cross, then seperate again. The author knows how to make you cringe at the brutality of the middle ages, and the tragedies that stack up againts some characters make you want to scream with frustration at the injustice. It’s a great read. It was recommended to me, and I would recommed it to anyone.

You can red the wiki here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Pillars_of_the_Earth

I hear the sequal World Without End, has been released…I’ll let you know how that turns out when I get it!

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Wood stoves and screen doors…

Oct 10

Posted by Ed Nelson in Misc stuff

Julie and I live in Northern California, and one the the larger cities next to us is trying hard to pass ‘burn ban’ days to improve the winter air quality. That means that on any given day, they can declare a burn ban, and you cannot use your wood stove to heat your house. That sucks, and is just plain wrong for all kinds of reasons that I won’t get into.

So…a few weeks ago, we saw a TV ad for a local shop selling new wood stoves for 20% off, with a 30% tax credit that ends this year, and are efficient enough to be exempt from burn bans. We went to the store (Lambert’s Masonry in Chico) and paid for one. It was a lot more than I expected up front, but the 30% tax break will help down the line.Our old stove is a lot bigger then the new one, but the new one is way more efficient.

Lambert’s came in yesterday to do the install. They took out the old stove, and while getting it out our front door, the corner of the wood stove tore a big hole in our security screen door…damn! The installer said “Did I do that?” (yes, just like Urkel)…yes, you did. He tried to hammer the steel screen into place, packed up, and drove away. I called the office, and they had be running around to find someone to fix it. Finally, they agreed to just replace the door.

The install of the new wood stove went fairly quickly (about an hour), and it looks so much better than the old one. Julie chose a wood stove with a pewter door which has a glass front…we can actually see the fire. Very cool!

wood stove smaller

I drove to Chico yesterday before the play we saw (see the Dr. Horrible post on my blog) and got the new security door. I tried to install it this morning, and had all kinds of trouble (naturally…I’m not exactly handy). I needed a trip to the hardware store for a specific drill bit, a second set of hands (thank you Julie), and LOTS of cuss words, but I finally got it in! Julie wanted a white door like the old one, I initially wanted a black door, but we settled on a white door with black steel screen. I really like it, and I think I only put one part on upside down. We wanted a new security screen eventually, I just didn’t want to HAVE to put one in right now…oh well, one less future improvement to do later.

screen smaller

Next up? A new entry door? New counter tops? New shower? Drywall in the laundry room? Paint the shed?

Nope…Julie wants to paint the living room and get away from the boring white…wish me luck :)

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