Owner: The Rocky Mountain Oyster URL:http://rockymtoyster.blogspot.com/ Join Date: Sat, 31 May 2008 20:12:44 -0500 Rating:0 Site Description: A collection of random thoughts and opinions on current events, pop culture, politics, travel, food, and family, etc. Site statistics:Click here
Having More: By Virtue of Comparison? 2008-05-31 17:30:40 C. S. Lewis wrote:Pride gets no pleasure out of having something, only out of having more of it than the next man. We say that people are proud of being rich, or clever, or good-looking, but they are not. They are proud of being richer, or cleverer, or better-looking than others. If everyone else became equally rich, or clever, or good-looking, there would be nothing to be proud about. It is the c Read more:Having
, Virtue
Check Your OWN Receipt! 2008-05-31 15:33:57 This is too funny. I just returned from Costco and jumped online to check a few emails. Somehow I coincidentally ended up reading an article from a random blog about stores like Wal-Mart and Costco who are adamant about checking receipts. I can totally relate.In the article, the author discusses the various reasons retailers claim for insisting on seeing your merchandise manifesto. I think most of Read more:Check
, Receipt
Memorial Day in the Mountains 2008-05-31 14:09:08 Ok, so I'm feeling quite somber right now. Growing up Memorial
Day was just another holiday - an excuse to cancel school, take a long weekend, gear up for summer and have a good time. I vaguely remember my mom and dad would occasionally return from a visit to the family plot where my dad's parents are both buried, and I would be like "Oh yeah, we're supposed to reflect on the dearly departed today Read more:Memorial Day
Big House Little Life 2008-05-31 11:57:24 That pretty much sums up the middle class in America, no? That's my theory, anyway. This whole housing fiasco has been a nightmare for all of us. I remember when the exotic mortgages first showed up on the scene, and I was thinking, "Can this be for real?" Not because I was excited about the prospects of a 3-year ARM - just the opposite.It seemed obvious to me there was only one way this could al Read more:House
Indiana Jones' Last Crusade? 2008-05-31 01:58:45 Wasn't the last Indiana
Jones film also titled "The Last Crusade
?" I don't know about you, but I'm extremely wary of tarnishing my memory of the franchise after I saw what Lucas did to the Star Wars Trilogy. Hayden Christensen was a complete disaster - so was Ewan McGregor. Natalie Portman didn't help much, and who the hell is Mace Windu? Samuel Jackson used to be cool. In my opinion, Lucas' prequ Read more:Indiana Jones
Team Hoyt - Be Inspired 2008-05-31 01:34:03 If you haven't heard of Dick and Rick Hoyt, here's your chance.
Read more:Inspired
UFC Fighter Salaries - It's All Relative 2008-05-31 01:33:15 The biggest issue heating up mixed martial arts is compensation. It was only a matter of time. I sympathize with these athletes who are doing some of the preliminary math and noticing that the organizations are bringing in millions of dollars, while most of them are only getting one percent of one percent, but it's not as lopsided as it might appear on the surface. Chuck Liddell earned $500k for h Read more:Salaries
, Relative
I'm Having a Baby 2008-05-31 01:23:35 Or at least that was the first thing out of my mouth when my good friend took me out to lunch today and asked me what I am doing toward the end of June. lolIn reality, Eve is having the baby - but both our lives are about to change again. If it's as wonderful as the last time, it will be worth it. I do remember, however, some sleepless nights, some uncontrollable crying, and thinking I was crazy Read more:Having
A Frequently Asked Question (at Work) 2008-05-31 01:22:11 "Why are the prices so high?" This is almost always followed by a story of how back in the day prices were reasonable. But were they really? If you ask the artists, their answer is likely to be, "better for whom?"Buyers have long enjoyed this fine-art at a bargain. They call it value, and I can't blame them. Native American Art remains one of the most accessible forms of original art anywhere in t Read more:Question
Bye-Bye Bar-B-Que 2008-05-31 01:20:53 I guess it was inevitable. The day has finally come. The industrial-quality restaurant grill that we've enjoyed on my parents patio for nearly thirty years has finally given up the ghost. I remember when I was a kid thinking how I wanted to inherit that shiny, silver beast when I had a family of my own. To me it was immortal. But alas, some good things must come to an end.I must confess, with the
Mystery Illness 2008-05-30 18:43:51 For the last several months I've run a gauntlet of symptoms ranging from headaches to neck pain, sinus pressure to back pain, and everything in between. Other than these isolated issues, surprisingly, I feel fine. I have plenty of energy, and it's not like I'm having night sweats, fever, or uncontrollable Tourrette's. In fact, the strangest part is that most of these symptoms have come on in sort Read more:Mystery
How to Lose Weight in 2 Steps 2008-05-30 14:42:02 1. Eat Less2. Move MoreIt's not rocket science, yet most of us mystify over the next guru tell-all to hit the New York Times best seller list. Maybe it alleviates us of responsibility if we believe it requires special knowledge or specific instruction. It's simple math. Calories consumed versus calories used. Think of it like a bank account. More deposits than withdrawals results in surplus. More Read more:Weight
Ultimate Fighting Championship - The Allure 2008-05-28 23:44:20 I'm not a big fan of sporting events. I was never any good, was always picked last, didn't know the rules - maybe I can't relate. I guess I'm a little guilty of rooting for the Jazz or the Suns if they make it to the Playoffs, but other than that, I might as well have been born without my opposable thumbs.The guys on the church basketball team tried to make me feel good about my "rebounding" abili Read more:Ultimate
, Fighting
Trendy Sushi Joints 2008-05-27 12:10:09 "OMG I love sushi!" If I hear this one more time, I'm going to puke. I'm not convinced. Most of these trendy sushi bars will dry up eventually. Why? Because it's currently "cool" to eat sushi - and I'm not talking about California Rolls (which I happen to like, by the way). I'm willing to bet my left RMO that most of these wannabe foodies don't really enjoy the sushi they are eating. Rather, it's Read more:Trendy
, Sushi
, Joints
Is it Just Me? 2008-05-27 12:05:47 This is a question I've been wondering for a long time. Or is it really the Universe conspiring against me to convince me of what I've believed all along?You can't get Snapple Fruit Punch in the glass bottle anywhere!If it's not the Universe, then at least it's the local grocers association because the largest supermarket in our state continually snubs me by pulling some of my favorite products fr
Have You Ever... 2008-05-27 12:02:54 Eaten a papaya? I mean, I've had papaya - like in exotic trail mix, or maybe even in a fruit salad that my mom makes around Easter - but I've never actually bought one, cut it open, and ate it. Go figure.Today was the day.You see, we're the beneficiaries of those neat little over-priced fruit gifts that come once a month via Harry and David. It was a gift from one of my suppliers as a "thank you"
Dad is Great, He Feeds us Chocolate Cake 2008-05-27 11:58:24 If you're a fan of Bill Cosby, you'll recognize this line from one of his stage performances. I remember him as one of the only comics my parents allowed us to watch when we were kids, and we quickly adopted this anthem in our home. Mom was careful to make sure it happened infrequently, the actual eating of cake for breakfast that is, but Dad enjoyed the credit he got by promising us decadent good Read more:Great
, Chocolate
Help Us Obi-Wan Kenobi 2008-05-27 11:51:50 You're our only hope. The only possible scenario that could be worse?Larry. Curly. Moe.I'm talking about the candidates for the United States Presidency. Someone asked me the other day who I want to win. Are you kidding me? Is this like one of those trick SAT questions, where you sit there and ponder the merits of choice "D" - none of the above?Call me a cynic. I just don't have any faith in polit
Turkey Steaks from Maddox 2008-05-26 20:55:00 Man. I'm hungry. Have you ever had a turkey steak from Maddox
restaurant? If you haven't, you're missing out on one of life's sweet hedonistic pleasures.Better yet, pick up a pack of frozen steaks from Sam's Club. There's like nine in a pack, but trust me - they won't last long enough to develop freezer burn. While you're at it, be sure to toss the following into your cart: hamburger buns, ma Read more:Turkey
, Steaks
"Sandy Giggles" 2008-05-26 19:26:12 We recently returned from a much needed vacation to San Diego, California. My wife and I, along with our two daughters, and my parents, spent seven days enjoying the coast and taking in the good vibes.My two year old daughter is mastering her use of the English language, and her vocabulary is growing daily. We try to help her pronounce the words right, but there's just one phrase I can't bear to c Read more:Sandy
, Giggles
Google AdWords - Paid to Click 2008-05-26 17:22:57 You might have noticed that I'm running Google
AdSense on my blog. If you're wondering "why," besides the obvious fact that anyone would like to see a check in the mail from Google, I'll tell you. Several years ago I joined Google AdWords and built a campaign for my online gallery. I spent an inordinate amount of time developing ads and bidding on keywords that would return as relevant results a Read more:Click
Blogging for Dollars? 2008-05-26 15:58:03 After starting and stopping several blogs in the past, I came to the conclusion that if I'm going to write it must be for me and not for the money. Trying to get rich by blogging has got to be something akin to moving to Hollywood to become the next Tom Cruise. Many try, but few succeed. I'm really a rookie anyway, so there's no point in pretending to be something I'm not. I have no more delusions Read more:Blogging
Me Gusta Mexi-coke! 2008-06-01 13:38:55 Yesterday's last post was about my trip to Costco, which reminded me of one reason why I have a love affair with all things Mexican. Ok, well maybe not all things, but certainly carnitas, beaches, and those tacky discothèques! But paramount to these is my affection for a smooth elixir, in a tall glass bottle, affectionately known throughout the beverage imbibing world as Mexi-coke.I've been waiti
Around the World in Just Three Days 2008-06-05 21:12:34 Ok, so I didn't actually travel around the world in just three days - but I did sample some fine food from a couple of new restaurants - including Indian, Mandarin, and Mexican. Allow me to elaborate:1. Sonora Grill:This was probably the most anticipated of the three and did not disappoint. Aside from the fact that Ogden desperately needs something other than "regionally inspired" cuisine, the Son Read more:World
, Three
Our Audi A4 - The Scratch Magnet 2008-06-05 13:43:22 I won't even begin to tell you the background story on our purchase of this vehicle. Suffice it to say, it was almost a year after we bought it before we were finally able to register it. If I never see the inside of the DMV again, it will be too soon. But that's not what really bothers me about this car. And it's not the fact that I can smell something burning everything third time I drive it. No Read more:Scratch
, Magnet
My Own Little "Fire in the Sky" 2008-06-06 14:30:45 You've probably read the recent news reports regarding Denver resident Jeff Peckman's claims of the extra-terrestrial life form he captured on videotape back in 2003. A quick search on You Tube turns up some hilarious, as well as impressive, satire.As for "Fire in the Sky," if you haven't seen the movie by the same name, it's based on a true story which takes place in 1975 in Northeastern Arizona,
Fish Tacos, By The Way... 2008-06-10 00:58:03 While we were in San Diego in April, we found this great little joint in Ocean Beach called Nick's at the Pier, where all the locals dine - and I had some of the best fish tacos I've ever eaten. They were loaded with fresh grilled Mahi-mahi, double-stacked with soft corn tortillas, and piled high with cabbage, salsa fresca and smoked chile sauce. And while everything else in San Diego is thirty bu Read more:Tacos
Obama and McCain in Airplane Crash 2008-06-09 23:57:00 Question: "Barrack Obama
and John McCain
are on an airplane. It crashes into a mountainside. Who survives?"Answer: "The Country."Believe it or not, this is how our Sunday school lesson started yesterday. It worked. I admit, I laughed. It broke the ice and relaxed everyone's nerves before diving into a deeply divisive topic: the election of political officials.I've struggled this past year with my Read more:Airplane
Our Family Weekend: Total Panda-Monium 2008-06-09 23:16:24 We had a great time attending the opening weekend of Kung Fu Panda
at the new Megaplex theater in downtown Ogden. With digital sound and screens, oversize captains chairs, and a quick-service food court, this theater is ideal for Saturday matinees or "date nights" with the wife. But the #1 feature at this theater is reserved seating! You can buy online and you don't have to wait in line for an hou Read more:Family
, Weekend
, Total
Utah's Hogle Zoo - Monkey Business 2008-06-10 22:16:08 What ever happened to the bygone days of coin-op wax cast souvenirs? When I was a kid, that was about the biggest concession you could hope to find at Utah's Hogle Zoo
. I remember them fondly. They cost $0.50, and I delighted in dropping the quarters into the slot, pressing the lever, and watching colorful tubes inject a heated mold with liquid wax. With a buzz and whir, out popped my freshly mint Read more:Business
, Monkey Business
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