Thoughts of a Madman!!

Gym Update......

2012-01-24T13:56:00.000-08:00

I am now about 3 weeks into my new program and am at 183lbs......problem is that when i started i was 183!! No idea why i can not lose weight right now. Prior to getting on this program i was eating crap every day for lunch, no cardio & minimal gym. Before the gauntlet of Thanksgiving, Cancun, Christmas and New Years i tipped in at 176 but for some reason am struggling to get back under 180...........its doing my head in!!

Training complications

2012-01-24T13:47:00.000-08:00

With all of the changes in which triathlon i am going to compete in brings yet another training headache. My original thought was to do my 3 month weight program followed by 2 months of tri training, run the tri and then 2 months of running which would be for the race toward the end of summer but now i am left with quite the training dilemma. I am set on doing both before the end of next summer but with the change of races ia m intending to do i am given a 3 week gap between each. The half marathon is on the 28th of july and the Tri is 3 weeks later in August.

I have no idea how i am meant to train for both at the same time while still keeping up with the weight training as i do not want to lose any mass. Normally for a 1/2 you would need 2 months set aside of distance training and for a tri about the same of mixing it all up. This is going to be tricky.............

Time to ride!!

2012-01-24T11:44:00.000-08:00

I finally did it after 5 years and it was awesomely painful. I started the day off with a 2.5 hr lesson, which ended up being a private lesson as sundays are quite days (i was hoping for that). I knew snowboarding for a beginner was difficult but i was not ready for what was to come. The day prior i wasnt thinking and did my first leg workout in over 2 months and by the time sunday morning rolled around i was already a little tender. Not a good thing seeing as though snowboarding is all in the legs. When your on your board you basically need to maintain a constant squat position which wears your quads out extremely fast. When i wasnt on my feet i was falling on my ass.....and that happened ALOT!! I have had a few friends go boarding and i can see why they didnt enjoy it. Without a lesson it would very hard to really know how to control your board. Throughout the lesson i really wondered if it was worth all of the effort.

After my lesson i went into the bar to give my legs a break and have a hard earned beer. Soon after i headed up for my first solo run not really knowing what to expect, or if i even would have taken any of the lsson o board. I was pretty lucky because the intructor had told me that alot of what i did in the lesson seemed to come naturally, which really helped as by the time i got to the top of the run i couldnt remember a whole lot of anything i was taught.

I wish that i had have gotten into boarding alot earlier as i would be so much better than i obviously am now. I figure its all about conquering your fear of sliding down a mountain side on ice with a board attached to your feet and how you manage your speed. I probably wasnt going all that fast (even if it feels like you are), but i was being passed left and right by both little girls and pretty little teeny bopper girls!!

All in all it was a very enjoyable day.....even with all the beat downs i took. My elbow has a huge bruise, both my knees are bruised, noth quads are so tight i cant walk properly (at one point i was stuck on the mountain lying on my back giving my legs a massage as i couldnot move) and i thought i had busted up my tailbone on 2 falls which is now also bruised. But no pain no gain i say!! Looking forward to the next time i head out and i am more comfortable with a bit more speed...........

Oh no - not the Aus Open

2012-01-24T10:26:00.000-08:00

I guess its that time of year - it just wouldnt be the same if i didnt complain!! So many things get on my nerves where do i start. Every year my biggest peeve is the fact that the games start at 5pm Utah time but they decide not to show games until 7pm and even 9pm on some night. You would think that with 2 ESPN channels they would have plenty of airtime for it but instead they go with a college bball game against 2 unranked teams - which always go beyond the allocated time!! Seriously?? There is only about 1000 college games on each year. They wonder why the state of U.S tennis is so bad....maybe because they cant even manage to get the biggest tennis tournaments on live throught the year.

I cant really complain about Venus or Serena this year as Venus is out and Serena lost to a no name - oh wait, all of womens tennis are no names!! I could go on about many other things that get to me but the other main peeve is the bias of the U.S. commentators. you would think that with the team they have they should get pretty good coverage but all they do is talk up how great the americans are when they clearly are not. Oh and why do they have to try to Americanise all of the terminology.........you can do that with the sports you create people but leave the world games alone - it just makes you sound stupid!! Oh and Pam Shriver......thats all i have to say about that!!

Sick Household!!

2012-01-24T10:16:00.000-08:00

For the past few days Dempsey has not been her normal bubbly self and after running a constant fever which peaked at 102 it was time to make a trip to the after hour care to stay on top of things. Earlier in the day Ash had to have her mouth operated on so it was my turn to make the run. Problem was it was snowing pretty bad . The Doc informed me that it was probably just croup (which we had both girls have 2 weeks earlier), so after a quick shot (which i hate watching her in pain from them) we headed home.

We didnt end up getting much sleep last night because Ava woke at about 2 and decided she was going to keep calling out for us till we came and got her (she wanted Ash to sleep in her room on the floor - as she does every night). I decided i would just bring her into our bed with us but she wouldnt sleep and when she did she stole most of my space - so a good night sleep was not had.

When it was time to get up and ready for work, Dempsey was already awake ahead of me but because i cant leave her alone while i shower i left her screaming in bed till i was out. she spent the best part of the morning crying and wanting to be held so i decided that it was best for me to stay home with the girls. Otherwise the daycare lady would just call Ash and she would have to go home and get her, which i didnt want as she is still recovering.

Things have calmed down a little right now as Dempsey is sleeping but as soon as she wakes and requires attention Ava will start to play up and want to be held giving Dad a monstous headache to go along with the cold i am fighting. I guess a big upside is that i didnt have to drive to work on what was meant to be very icy conditions..............

Yet another change of plans

2012-01-21T22:15:00.000-08:00

So my original plan was to run my triathlon in St George which is in Southern Utah but it turns out that is the cheapest weekend for us to go to Disneyland so that put a cross through that!! So i had to look for another event. Luckily the original choice was between St George and Moab, which were only a few weeks apart. So i started to do some research into what it would cost and as it was some distance away i would have to stay overnight and rent all ofmy equipment for 3 days rather than 1 - as most shops here close on sundays. As you could imagine this has pushed the cost of running the race way over what i am comfortable with paying.

So now it looks like the only choice i have is to run the same Tri that i ran a few years back which brings up so many memories of how i SUCKED so bad!! Atleast i will be familiar with the course and know what i will have to prepare myself for. Although this poses a huge training dilemma!!

Time to have the talk????

2012-01-21T22:09:00.000-08:00

So every day when i get home from work i ask Ava how her day was at daycare and lately her response has included that she hung out with some boys........hmmm!! Bloody Boys - Already?? Are you serious!! She told us a few weeks back that a boy had kissed her. Most of the kids at daycare are boys so it is to be expected that she is playing with them and i am glad that she is out socialising as we do not see many people with kids in our day to day lives.

There are 2 boys in particular that we tend to hear alot more of. There is Ethan and Rylan......Bloody Ethan and Bloody Rylan!! If you were to ask Ava if she likes Ethan her response would be a very quick NO!! Ethan is a little younger (he is about 2) and he is a biter. Well atleast he was - we have since been told thathe is over that stage but now he is "just not nice", thats the reposne you would get from Ava if you ask. It is actually a little funny to hear her talk about all the bad things Ethan does at daycare. Then we have Rylan!! Rylan is Ava's best friend at daycare and i think possibly the one that gave her a kiss. Rylan is 3 and Ava really enjoys spending time with him. she tells me that she is going to take (insert toy of the day) to daycare so that she can share it with Rylan.

I keep mentiont to Ash that i am not sure how i feel about this and if we need to pull her from daycare!! Maybe i just need to sit him down and have a man to man!!

Finally the time has come!!

2012-01-21T20:54:00.000-08:00

I am doing it!! Tomorrow i will be riding down the side of mount Timp on a snowboard and i can not wait!! It has been a long time coming. The first year i was here it was understandable i did not go as i had moved here during winter and was still adjusting. The second year i didnt have any friends that ski or board ( and still dont), which blows my mind that so many people here do not ride - i was also told of how expensive it was and it all seemed like to much to organise as i had no equipment or clothing. The third year was the start of the downfall at work and funds became extremely scarce and year 4 we were totally broke. Year 5 we had just had Dempsey and we were dealing with many issues on the home front so i was not comfortable with leaving. Now that its my 6th winter here i decided it was time i just made it happen. It has taken a while for the snow to get here and with some awesome timing it has been snowing in th mountains for the past few days so i will be spoiled with the greatest snow on earth!!

Even though Ash says it is ok to go i still feel deep down that i am leaving them high and dry. As we dont spend much time doing things for ourselves (Ash does even less for hereslf than myself) i feel guilty for going out and having some fun on my own. I am sure that for most of the day the girls will be on my mind and i will feel as though i am needed at home as i am every time i head out on my own, but i will force myself to stay out and enjoy myself.........

Pics will follow!!

Random Memory

2012-01-21T20:44:00.000-08:00

When i first moved here to UTah i went to the gym prior to having a membership to take a look at the gyms available in the area. I remember one thing that the guy who gave me the tour had said to me. He had moved to Utah from California because of a girl and was now married. I asked him if he was LDS and his response made me wonder. He had said to me that he wasnt LDS when he got married and then after 5 years of living here he had decided to change. I wondered what it was that made him change and if i would be faced with the same decision. I have now been married and living here for 5 years and am no closer to making being mormon.............except for when i say what the heck or holy shiznit!!

2011 - Top 50

2012-01-20T14:09:00.000-08:00

10. Blink 182 - Up All Night

9. Incubus - If Not Now, When?

8. Red Hot Chilli Peppers - The Adventures Of Rain Dance Maggie

7. Nicki Minaj - Super Bass

6. Rihanna/Calvin Harris - We Found Love

5. LMFAO - One Day

4. Nicki Minaj/Rihanna - Fly

3. Lil Wayne/Cory Gunz - 6 Foot 7 Foot

2. Avenged Sevenfold - So Far Away

1. LMFAO/Lauren Bennett/Goonrock - Party Rock Anthem

2011 - Top 50

2012-01-19T20:16:00.000-08:00

20. Kanye West/Nicki Minaj/Rick Ross/Jay-Z/Bon Iver - Monster

19. Lupe Fiasco - The Show Goes On

18. Lil Wayne/Drake - She Will

17. Burn Halo - Threw It All Away

16. Chris Brown/Lil Wayne/Busta Rhymes - Look At Me Now

15. Jay-Z/Kanye West - ***ass In Paris

14. Keri Hilson - Lose Control

13. Bush - The Sound Of Winter

12. Nicole Scherzinger/50 Cent - Right There

11. Pibull/Ne-yo/Afrojack/Nayer - Give Me Everything

2011 - Top 50

2012-01-18T20:38:00.000-08:00

30. Jamie Foxx/T.I/Justin Timberlake - Winner

29. B.O.B/Lil Wayne - Strange Clouds

28. Lupe Fiasco/MDMA - I Don't Wanna Care Right Now

27. Coldplay - Paradise

26. Chris Brown/Tyga/Kevin McCall - Deuces

25. David Guetta/Usher - Without You

24. One Republic - Good Life

23. Avril Lavigne - Wish You Were Here

22. Sixx A.M. - Sure Feels Right

21. Florence + the Machine - Shake It Out

2011 - Top 50

2012-01-17T20:25:00.000-08:00

40. Deftones - You've Seen The Butcher

39. Avicii - Levels

38. Skrillex - Scary Monsters & Nice Sprites

37. Britney Spears/Nicki Minaj/Ke$ha - Till The World Ends (Remix)

36. Jason Derulo - Breathing

35. Maroon 5 - How

34. David Guetta/Nicki Minaj/Flo Rida - Where Them Girls At

33. Adele - Someone Like You

32. Seether - Tonight

31. Foo Fighters - White Limo

2011- Top 50

2012-01-16T19:50:00.000-08:00

So I couldn't resist.....I must have too much time on my hands because this took longer than i wished it would, but it is fun nonetheless. So here goes..............

50. Tinie Tempah - PassOut

49. Kanye West/Jay-Z - Otis

48. Foster The People - Pumped Up Kicks

47. Avril Lavigne - I Love You

46. Volbeat - A Warriors Call

45. Dev/Flo Rida - In The Dark

44. J-Lo/Pitbull - On The Floor

43. Christina Perri - Jar Of Hearts

42. Bullet For My Valentine - Your Betrayal

41. The Black Eyed Peas - Dirty Bit (The End)

40. Deftones - Yo've Seen The Butcher

2011 - The year that was..........

2012-01-15T22:03:00.000-08:00

2011 was a crazy year. They year flew by quicker than no other yet when I look back over the course of the year it seems like it went forever. Here is a list of the moments that made it an amazing year:

- We started the year out with a bang by introducing Miss Dempsey Lucille into this world. When Clair came into the hospital room he was singing Demi Lu to the tune of Peggy Sue. At first Ava was unsure of the whole situation. she was very mad at her Mom and very clingy to Dad.A completely different experience than the one we had with Ava as Ash did not have to go through the Labour. It was all booked and with knowing the sex prior it seemed all we had to do was get ourselves to the hospital......Well and the op!!

- Its a grreat thing for Australians travelling here to see the U.S. dollar so low but for us, whether we planned on a vacation back home or for the move we are going to get screwed. When i oved here in 06 tha AUD was worth about 0.72 USD. This was the year that the AUD got up to about 1.11. It has since dipped down to about parity - but still not where we need it to be. Thats going to make things tricky financially

- gaining weight only to lose it again. After putting so much effort in to losing my weight in 2011 - this was the year i gained almost all of it back. With the arrival of Dempsey our lives got a little crazy and the gym fell to the wayside. After another visit from the brother and many a beer and burger later i tipped 200lbs again and that was when things had to change. Twice in 2 years i was able to shed over 20lbs to return to a weight i hadnt been since arriving Stateside

- The start of the year put both Ashley and Myself through the hardest hurdle we have had to jump during our relationship and probably our lives. Ash was hit with Post Partum Depression and it really took its toll on us all. It was a very long 2 month period (which felt like 6). We had many altercations and our marriage was really put to the test. In the end, after many pleas Ashley was off to the doc to speak about medication and almost right away things in the house swung back around. We will never forget what we had to endure and now we know just how strong our relationship is. I love and respect her more now than i did before the PPD kixcked inI like to refer to it as "The Dark Ages"............

- With the arrival of a baby sister Ava was confronted with not being the baby of the house anymore. At first she revolted and she revolted hard. Over the course of the year it has been an awesome sight to see just how quickly Ava has grown into a big sister and an amazing one at that. she is very protective of her baby sister and loves her more than anything. With this brought changes with Ava where all of a sudden she was 2 going on 12. So much more independent!!

- After having being employed by RDP for 6 months i arrived to work 1 day and was basically told that if i did not learn Revit i would be out of a job. Probably not such a big problem if given time.....I was told that i had 2 weeks to get up to speed. After speaking to a few of the Revit guys in the office i was told tha to get to where they wanted me to be at would take months. So during mum and dads visit i crammed. I was a little lucky when i got a break at work where a job came on that i would not work primarily in Revit. I also sit next to a guy in the office who is like the Revit Bible. I somehow faked it for the first few months while i got up to speed. I am still not where i would like to be but i have learned enough to be required. I am so glad that i finally got forced into using Revit as it seems this is the way the industry is moving, but have never been given the opportunity before.

- In September of this year i was employed FULL TIME for a whole year. It was weird after the 18 months that preceded it. I am grateful for the job that i have. I think i have learned more than i did in the prior 4 years of working in the united states.

- I finally made it to an NHL game and couldnt have had a better time. It quickly became one of my favourite viewing sports. Unfortunatly we do not have a major league team in our state. It was a grreat night had with the old man and could not have asked for a better game with the home team winning in overtime......well maybe if it was the leafs.

- My wisdom teethhave been giving me issues for years, but with a major dislike for anything dentists i have avoided having them taken out. With a little push from the wife and a little drugs from the dentist i was ready to roll. I wanted to have these out before the end of the previous year but things were a little hectic with Dempsey on the way. All in all i had a pretty good experience. I didnt have any of the side effects others had told me about and i am glad they are now gone!!

- I dont get to see Ava dance in class now that i am employed, so i look forward to her dance recitals every 6 months. She loves to dance and she loves to be on the big stage. I am always the proud parent standing up the back of the theatre with video camera in hand!! this year as soon as she was done with her dance she walked up to me and asked where her rose and trophy was...........oh boy!!

- In march the folks came out to utah to visit and be here to meet Dempsey. It was great to have them come out and see our lives and see the kids. Even if our place is extremely small and cramped for the few weeks they were here.

- For the second year running we made a trip out to Disneyland. I never thought that Disney would be something i would get too much into but each time we go we have a blast and with Ava a little older this year she understood what was going on.

- Each year i seem to set myself a fitness goal without meaning to and this year was the 5k run. I was hoping to run 10 but only managed 9 as the weather turned too cold. I didnt do as well as i would have hoped but it was just good to get out and get active with others. I did place second in my age bracket in one of the races.

- Every year for the past 3 years my highlight of summer was to have the brother come out for a visit. Its noce to have someone around to do all the guy things i like to do (with all the girls in the house this year it was especially nice). Loads of tennis, gym, exploring, burgers and beer - what more could i ask for?

- This year my friend Ross traveled the world and he told me that he would meet us in Vegas. In the end he decided to come to Utah so he could see the family and where i lived. I was lucky that it coincided with my birthday and Harleys trip.

- Not sure i need to say too much about this one but VEGAS!! Its a highlight of every year for me - defo topping the list of places to go here in the states. Every year i go with Harley, we talk about how cool it would be to go with a group of friends. We had a blast and didnt sleep a whole lot........

- My ultimate concert was on this year - Poison and Motley Crue were touring together. This was not to be missed. The Utah date was while we were in vegas so we were lucky that they played in vegas while we were down there. It was the highlight of the trip for me. We spent the whole day drinking at the MGM pool meeting all sorts of people and then continued late into the night. Long Ass day but well worth it.

- This was the year i finally made it into themountains for some hiking. I built it into my fitness regime for summer (Basically sweat off as much in the heat of summer while running/walking up hill). UTah has some amazing mountains and scenery to go along with it.....I just cant believe it took me that long to get into it!!

- For 2 weeks of the year i turn into a cycling fan - so this year it was awesome to see an Aussie win the tour de france. Cant say i ever thought i would see that happen.

- I finished my first big job at RDP about mid way through the year. It felt very good watching those plans leave as i had not taken on a project that big before in my professional career. A 99 room Marriott Hotel down in Arizona.

- This was the year that the Aussie grand slam winner drought was broken. Just never thought it would be a woman to get it done. Glad it was Sam stosur though. I picked her as the womens player to watch when all of the others were on the Molik bandwagon.

- Always a good year when you can witness the pies lose in a grand final.

- For our summer work retreat at work we did a ropes course. Its something I have always wanted to do since being here and it was alot of fun. What was interesting was to watch how most of the people in my office were completely incapable of climbing or were all too afraid of getting up high. Ipowered through it and put all to shame of course.

- Took my first spin class a few months back and really enjoyed it. I have always thought of spin as a female form of cardio but boy how wrong was i. Cant wait to get back into some classes leading up to my triathlon. Its the perfect training.

- This year marked my 5 year mark of living in the states. It quietly went by. Its been a crazy 5 years but we have done so much.

- One of my farourite parts of this past year are the random conversations we now have with Ava. As her vocabulary expands the conversations get even more strange. She cracks us up every day.

- I think the highlight of my year was Cancun. This was easily the top or in the top 2 vacations of my life. The (almost) perfect holiday. It was so nice to have 6 days where it was just Ashley and myself and we made the most of every minute. The only thing was that every minute wasnot long enough.

- I was wrong. The highlight of my year was not Cancun. the highlight of my year was being the father of the 2 most amazing girls in the world. Every day i drive home from work i think about how lucky i am to be going home to 3 girls that make me smile so much!!

Just when you think.........

2012-01-08T09:59:00.000-08:00

This was the first year in as long as i can remember where my mother hasnot given me something that relates to either Australia or my football team the kangaroos. Then today, 2 weeks after christmas a very belated gift came for our girlsand low and behold...............Ava loves it though - thanks K.B!!

2011 Supercoach Score

2012-01-07T08:37:00.000-08:00

In 2010 i scored 48,056 and thought i did well - in 2011 i totalled 51,178.......BOOYAH!!

What a sight!!

2012-01-03T19:35:00.000-08:00

I have only been home from Cancun for 3 weeks now and I am already finding myself glancing up at the sky. With the time of the day i leave work and the sun going down i am confronted with image after image of what you see above. I think this is one of my all time favourite things to see............

3-PEAT!!

2012-01-01T20:37:00.000-08:00

I have been playing in a buddys Fatasy Football league (N.F.L.) and have won all 3 seasons. This season i was a bit worried with some rule changes i lost my first 2 games and after some minor adjustments i went on a 13 game winning streak to take the title. Thinking of retirement now!!

New years Resolutions

2012-01-01T19:33:00.000-08:00

I have a few resolutions this year. The obvious one is to get in shape but that ties into 2 of my others. I want to run both a half marathon and a triathlon and beat my times of the previous attempts. I want to finally get myhead around photoshop. I also want to not let TV dictate my life as much as it did this year.........Lets see how that one goes!!

And so it begins.......Again!!

2012-01-01T19:30:00.000-08:00

It seems like i am on a never ending transformation. I am yet again about to embark on another 12 week program. I did lose 25lbs over the course of the closing months of 2011 but was mostly focused on getting trim for Cancun, which i achieved. Now that the festive season is in the rear view mirror and with the combination of that and Cancun i put a few additional lbs back on. Now i have a new goal - I want to finally get under 170 and get more definition.

Part of the new plan is to get strict (to a point), which i have not been able to achieve as yet. I "plan" on getting up 20 minutes earlier in the morning and getting my first cardio session knocked out (1 in the evening too). The other aspect i reall y need to lock down on is nutrition. No more lunch time burritos, no more jimmy johns, no more alcohol (save for the odd occasion to save my insanity)

This new program i am on is pretty intense but i will only be following it loosely as its not fair on Ash and the girls to commit 100% so i need to be smart in my planning and most importantly nutrition.It will be interesting to see where this journey takes me. I am sure that you will hear all about it on here though!!

Song of the day.....

2011-12-30T18:02:00.000-08:00

Katy Perry - The One That Got Away
O.K. So this one needs a bit of an explanation. Let me start by saying i am not a big Katy Perry fan, i am normally the first to say how annoying she is and this song in its normal "pop" format is your usual teeny bopper dribble - but at the AMA awards this year she played this all stripped back and acoustic. From that moment on i have looked at this song differently - its actually quite cool. I just wish other artists would realise that there is something about pop music without being over produced!!

The Lady has a sense of humour!!

2011-12-26T19:26:00.000-08:00

Every year Kathy gives gifts that give me a bit of a kick out of them. Here are this years efforts.........Tshirt speaks itself and the CD is A George Strait Greatest Hits......you know, seeing as though i am his No. 1 Fan!!

Thorn in my side.....

2011-12-26T18:54:00.000-08:00

Every year i have the same complaint at this time of year and every year i coplai to the mother in law, only to be told to suck it up!! I can not understand the American work Ethic at this time of year. Coming from a country that uses this time of year to enjoy some down time and recharge the batteries it does my head in that for christmas we are given 1 day of holiday, christmas day. I have always felt that it detracts from the festive season. Every year christmas just feels like any other public holiday.

I guess i shouldnt be suprised. Throughout the year i am given 3 sick days (compared to 10 at my last job in oz). I mean seriously, 3 days?? You get sick one time and there goes your entire years worth. In Australia we are given 4 weeks holiday per year but over here its only 1 week....what can you possibly do with only 1 weeks vacation??

I just dont understand what they get out of life if they are expected to work all year long with nothing in sight to look forward to and have to back it up year after year. I know in Australia just about everyone looks forward to their summer break....they just dont know what they are missing out on over here............

(Are you shaking your head right now Kathy??)

Jerry World A.K.A Cowboys Stadium

2011-12-23T20:56:00.000-08:00

Will i ever make it here?? When we flew to Cancun we flew into Dallas and i had my face hard pressed against the window trying to spot Cowboys stadium but had no luck. On the way back we flew in at night and it was right there outside my window. We probably flew about twice the distance from what the picture above shows but there was no missing it - it was Huge and lit up, i was so happy!! Will i ever get to see a game live??

Finally..........Spotify!!

2011-12-22T22:34:00.000-08:00

My dreams have been answered!! For the longest times i have said that if i was tech savvy i would have created a website like facebook for music. Myspace had the right idea but the worng implementation. Introducing Spotify. There is now a website you can go to for all of your free music. Sure there have been a few around for a while but most of them would only allow you to losten to a few songs of a particular artist, rather it sould give you a radio station based on the artist of choice. Enter Spotify - you can now listen to just about any cd at full length. Its like facebook meets itunes with an extensive library for free. I have no idea how a site like this canpass for free, but i am not going to argue. Its here and its free and I AM EXCITED!! Just ask my brother - i have been on him for 2 weeks now to get it!! With smart phones and the app you can also have aninfinite amount of music with you where ever you go.

Makes you wonder where this will take the usic industry. I am almost positive that as facebook did this will reshape the way we consume our music and i am not sure how i feel about that as i am one who likes to have the cd in my hand (which has become harder the older i get as my $$ has to go toward other areas). Already there are many aspects of this program - making sharing music easy all you have to do is connect to facebook and all you have to do is drag and drop, there are a few apps out that allows you to browse sites to consume playlists and news.

All i can sy is that it is about timeand i can not wait to see where this goes. Possibilities are endless!!

Last FM.............

2011-12-22T22:16:00.000-08:00

Since June ! 2008 I have been using an online muisic program to find new bands, listen to music butmost importantly tracking my music usage (which has been a little mia in the last 9 months since my ipod has started to play up). I just noticed that on my profile i have had 48420 tracks listened to (thats on,y on ,y ipod or computer - so basically not counting the last 9 months). That equates to approx. 16140 tracks a year, 310 a weekand 44 a day....pretty crazy considering it would be alot higher if i had the ability to track the past 9 months.

Song of the day.....

2011-12-22T21:30:00.000-08:00

The Sundays - Wild Horses
Not the original, but this is the first version i heard of the song..........still kicks ass!!

Almost Perfect..........

2011-12-20T21:23:00.000-08:00

Well we have been back from Cancun now for 4 days and the trip is fast becoming a distant memory. Things were so hectic when we returned as we had to drive to Ephraim to pick up the girls, go the the Nielson family christmas party and restock the house. The first day back to work was a huge shock to the system and lets not even get into the weather (it went from a perfect 80f to 15f when we arrived back home).

I am so glad that we went but wish that we had have stayed for an extra day or two. I think this is probably one of my most favourite holidays i have ever been on - if not top of the charts. We were a little worried about the weather in the week leading up as all weather reports listed rain for each day but it only rained for 45 minutes immediately after arriving at the resort.

Its been such a long time since Ash and I have had the opportunity to relax together and that was pretty much all we did. It was the most relaxed i have been in for as long as i can remember. I think part of that was due to the fact that it was all inclusive so we did not have to worry about where the funds were going. We went to see Chichen Itza, something I have wanted to do for a long time. We met a bunch of really cool people. I had actually forgotten how much i miss that aspect of being social and we played in all sorts of activities put on by the resort (good times). Not to mention the friendly employees who are constantly checking to see if they can get you anything

Eventhough we werent able to sleep in for as long as i would have liked (apparently 8am is now my threshold rather than 8pm), but a typical day went a little something like this. Out of bed by 8, eat breakfast, hit the pool by 9:30, Eat lunch, back to the pool, sun goes down behind the building by 1:30 so we would have to then hit the beach for anotherhour and a half, retreat to room for afternoon siesta, head down to the bar for pre dinner drinks, Dinner and then head to the bar for socialising (or as Ash and I liked to partake in people watching - who could ever forget some of our favourites: Fat guy, Pink shirt guy, Malibu barbies, Tall awkward skinny girl and her friend), and then back to the room for bed so that we could repeat it the following day!!

I dont believe that the perfect holiday exist but this was as close as it can get. I would have liked to have had an extra few days and wish that we had have gone out to 1 of the clubs with the resort instead of opting out for the resort club. I dont think i complained about one thing the entire trip. It was so good to get to reconnect with the beautiful wife without the two rugrats to interfere.

Seriously the most relaxing time ever!! I would do it all over again...............

And the fight begins..........

2011-12-20T20:39:00.000-08:00

Every year at about this time i run into the same problem.......I like to call it the Gauntlet. When i first arrived in America I was told about how in winter there is not a whole lot of anything to do and once Thanksgiving rolls around people tend to consume more food during the "Festive Season". Each year it seems to get worse and with all of the extra distractions this year im finding myself in a battle yet again!!

After all of my hard work to get back into shape over Summer i am determined not to let it all slip by but i am finding it extremely hard to get my motivation to gt back into the gym after mexico. Ever since Thanksgiving i had not been as consistent with my workout and nutrition and then in the lead up to Mexico it really got the better of me. I have 10 days to go till January 1st and then its pedal to the medal but till that date i am sure i will continue to struggle with work, Gym, the cold & the nutrition!!

Lyric on my mind......

2011-12-20T20:21:00.000-08:00

For a while now i have really enjoyed listening to the song Breaking Benjamin - What Lies Beneath but never really listened to the lyrical content other than the chorus. Such a awesome song.....

Take a breath
Hold it in
Start a fight
You won't win
Had enough
Let's begin
Nevermind
I don't care

All in all
You're no good
You don't cry
Like you should
Let it go
If you could
When love dies in the end

So I'll find what lies beneath
Your sick twisted smile
As I lie underneath
Your cold jaded eyes
Now you turn the tide on me
'Cause you're so unkind
I will always be here
For the rest of my life

Here we go
Does it hurt
Say goodbye
to this world
I will not
Be undone
Come to life
It gets worse

All in all
You're no good
You don't cry
Like you should
I'll be gone
when you fall
Your sad life
Says it all

So I'll find what lies beneath
Your sick twisted smile
As I lie underneath
Your cold jaded eyes
Now you turn the tide on me
'Cause you're so unkind
I will always be here
For the rest of my life

Don't carry me under
You're the devil in disguise
God sing for the hopeless
I'm the one you left behind

So I'll find what lies beneath
Your sick twisted smile
As I lie underneath
Your cold jaded eyes
Now you turn the tide on me
'Cause you're so unkind
I will always be here
For the rest of my life

Songs of the week........

2011-12-20T20:15:00.000-08:00

B.O.B Ftg Lil Wayne - Strange Clouds

Snoop Dogg& Wiz Khalifa Ftg Bruno Mars - Young, Wild & Free

The date is set!!

2011-12-19T19:08:00.000-08:00

Got home the day before leaving for Cancun and there was a flier for the Half Marathon i am planning on running so now it takes place on the fridge as a daily reminder of what i need to do......July 28th 2012, get it done!! (May 19th for the Tri)..........

The Picture.....

2011-12-19T19:05:00.000-08:00

Last week before we headed off to Cancun we had my work xmas party and we were all asked to bring a white elephant gift. Ash and I thought about it for a while and decided that it would be funny to blow up an 8x10 of me and sign it. The funny thing about white elephant gifts is that it is an annonymous exchange but obviously mine was a no brainer. Originally a guys wife got it and was like WTF do i do with this, but they have a rule that if someone who is without a gift wants to pick that instead of one for the pile or someone who has had their present taken out of their hands they pick again. The guy i sit next to had his taken off him and he went straight for my picture........oh i got to have Owen!!

So when i return from Cancun today i see this on my desk facing him. It had been there for a week awaiting my return and still remained by the end of work!! HAHA CLASSIC!!

North Melbourne Spirit!!

2011-12-18T13:05:00.001-08:00

Hand Stands @ Chichen Itza

2011-12-18T12:21:00.000-08:00

This was 1 of the most random moments of the trip. We turned the corner just prior to leaving Chichen Itza and we saw this guy trying to do hand stands in front of the pyramid. Ash couldnt believe how bad his form was so i told her that she should go show him how its done. After somce convincing, the conversation started " Umm - excuse me Mr, may i ask you what you are trying to accomplish here??" Then the rest you are able to hear. We cant decide if this guy was for real or if he wasnt quite all there. Either way he was having an awesome time. After a few pointers from Ash his ability quickly increased.........

Walking Baby

2011-12-18T12:14:00.000-08:00

We finally have a walking baby on our hands!!

Box on

2011-12-18T12:09:00.000-08:00

I wonder if i will ever support a team that is not constantly in debt or will this be the reason that they can no longer be around??

Ava's Xmas Dance 11

2011-12-10T12:00:00.001-08:00

Its a BIG Ad

2011-12-10T11:31:00.001-08:00

haha - love it.....the ad isnt bad either!!

Pics of the week.......

2011-12-04T21:01:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving in E-Town

Feast time

Racquetball at Snow College A.C.

Most random gym ever

Got to get me one of these

New Do - well half way onto the new do. Had to cut it so it would grow in!!

Long time coming....

2011-12-01T20:44:00.000-08:00

10 days till we head to Cancun and it can not come soon enough. Its been 2.5 yrs since my last real vacation and i am in need of a break from work and get away to clear my head as it has recently become filled with too many things...............

Song of the week........

2011-11-29T20:48:00.001-08:00

Bullet For My Valentine - Your Betrayal

Song of the day.....

2011-11-18T20:42:00.001-08:00

Motley Crue - Kick Start My Heart
An oldie but a goodie.....

Not so special anymore!!

2011-11-16T20:44:00.000-08:00

This week at the gym i finally bumped into an Aussie while at the gym. I have been told by random people all the time that there were others but i didnt want to believe it..........i am the only 1 here, right?? Or maybe the only one that matters!! Got to say it was a big build up (5 years) to meet my first Aussie here but very underwhelming. I always thought if i met another Aussie it would be like meeting anyone of my mates from back home but as soon as i heard he was from Sydney i was like - yep, there it is!!

Conversations with Ava

2011-11-15T21:46:00.000-08:00

I have been having some interesting conversations with Ava latelyand i thought i would share. We got Ava a handheld electronic learning toy for her birthday and when i get home from work some nights she is engrossed in the game, this is how the conversation goes as i am walkint through the door:
DAD: Hi Ava
AVA: No Response
DAD: Hi Ava
AVA: No Response
DAD: Hello Ava
AVA: Birds Chirping
DAD: AAAAVVVAAAAAA!!
AVA: Tumble Weed rolls through my front Room
DAD: Ava Dad is home, come say hi
AVA: Still nothing
Not until I approach her does she momentarily step away from her game to greet me

This pretty much applies toany conversation had, but i will use tonights example:
AVA: Dad what song is this?
DAD: I dont know
AVA: What song is this?
DAD: I'm not sure
AVA: What song is this?
DAD: Picked a random song name to satisfy the question
AVA: Dad what song is this?
DAD: I just told you
AVA: What song is this?
Dad: I dont know
AVA: What song is this? Just say yes
DAD: Yes
AVA: O.k.

This conversation happens just about anytime i ask Ava to do something while she is already doing something that she wants to be doing:
DAD: Ava can you please put your shoes in your room
AVA: Hu?
DAD: Can you please take your shoes to your room
AVA: Hu?
DAD: Take your shoes to your room please Ava
AVA: Hu?
DAD: Stop doing what your doing please and take these shoes to your room, then when you come back you can continue doing it
AVA: Hu??
Then 1 of 3 things happens, i either give up, take the shoes to her room myself or pick her up and make her do it herself............

Reasons why I love Ava!!

2011-11-15T20:46:00.000-08:00

Tonight Ash wanted to take a bath so i put Ava to bed - and what a night it was. Let me preface this by syaing the girl is learning how to stall......and quickly!! She is becoming so good at it that it is almost comical!!

It all started when Ash gave ava a bowl of cheerios after dinner. Ava is normally in the bath around 7 and we read to her at about 7:20. Well she got the cheerios at 7:15....and it was all downhill from there!!

Our normal routine is I will bath Ava and then Ash will dry her hair, normally i am not allowed, then Ash will read to Ava while i head out to the gym at about 7:30. Because i now go to the gym so late its importantfor me to get away as soon as i can so that i am not back too late otherwise it takes forever for my body to get ready for bed.

Well Ava was eating very very slow and constatly running up to the bath to speak to momma!! It was driving me nutso, cause i wanted to hit the gym!! Ash told me to leave and when she got out of the bath she would put her down but i didnt want her to have to get out of the bath so i could leave, so i stuck it out!! As She got down to the last 20 cheerios she took to eating 1 at a time.

After she was done i told her that we had to go brush her teeth. Simple enough take?? you would think so.........but not with Ava!! She owns about 5 toothbrushes (absolutely loves them) and i never know which she wants to use. So i asked her "Ava, what toothbrush do we want to use tonight?" Well her response was hmmm, let me see which one is my favourite and proceeded to line them up. She then rested her arms on the counter and her chin on her arms trying to figure out which was the lucky toothbrush for the night.

After succesfully brushing her teeth i told her it was time to put her diaper on. She informed me that she wanted to sleep with her Ariel so she headed out to the front room and i went in the bedroom to get the diaper and cream ready. I waited for her and after a few minutes i realised she wasnt coming back so i walked out to find her and she was spinning in circles in front of the music playing on the tv.

Once i finally got her in bed and had read both books to her, i thought i was almost done....almost!! Then she needed to have a drink of water as she does every night. I have made the mistake on many occasions of giving her too much water and watching her slowly drink away - so i now only give her a smaller portion. I told her that i was going to go change for the gym while she finished her drink. When i get back there was no water left but she continued to drink away. When i asked if she was finished she would shake her cup and say almost and continue drinking. At thispoint you just have to distract her somehow and take the bottle away from her.

When i told Ava it was time for sleep she said me "where are you going daddy?" so i told her i was going to the gym but she replied with you cant go to the gym you are not wearing your red top (i usually rotate between 4 gym shirts - 2 of shich are red) and told me that i had to go change into red right away!! I told her that my red top was in the wash and that i had to wear this top (showing her what i was wearing), to which she said "you cant wear that dad, thats your hike top" (i wore the top i was wearing only twice a couple of moths ago to hike in - the girl has a memory like an elephant).

When i kissed her goodnight, which consists of a hug followed by a kiss followed by a hug followed by another kiss, i got up and walked away only to be called back for another "kiss" before i even reached the door. I then made it out the door and told her goodnight, leaving the room and turning out the light. I walked across the hall to go o the bathroom and all of a sudden i her her calling out "DAD - YOU DIDNT SAY COME BACK" so i went back in and did the nightly routine of her asking if i will come back "Daddy always comes back" "Mommy come back too?" "Mommy always comes back?". After leaving the room again i hear her calling out yet again "I need my Pooh Bear!!". Every night she needs her Pooh Bear placed on her chest and upside down.....so i placed Pooh Bear just as she likes!!

As i walked out i said "I love you Snips" to which she replied "I love you too Dad". Routine accomplished!! Seriously, how can you not lover her and all of her very amusing quirks?? Even if i did not get to the gym at the time i wanted and got home later than desired.....I could do it every night of the year (and probably pull my hair out and laugh at the same time)

Song of the day.....

2011-11-14T20:23:00.000-08:00

Evanescence - Swimming Home

Lyric on my mind......

2011-11-12T19:38:00.000-08:00

Downloaded The Burn Halo album the other week and it took me a while to get into it, but the more i listen the more i like. Right now i cant get enough of the song Threw it all away and the chorus has a lyric that sticks in my head.

Lord knows I've tried to change (I sacrifice)
I keep falling everyday ( I keep falling)
I was taken every chance
I was living too fast
I was throwing it all away
And I threw it all away

Awesome!!

Random Memory

2011-11-12T19:30:00.000-08:00

So today i had a week moment and had to run out and satisfy some cravings. Originally i wanted a chocolate sundae but whats the point of heading to Maccas without picking up a cheeseburger (or 2)?? As i was given my burger of deliciousnes, something occured ot me. A cheeseburger and its yellow wrapping will always remind me of eating a cheeseburger in Singapore around the time that Tron (the original) came out. I just checked online and Tron came out in 1983, I am not sure if i was in Singapore then (mum might be able to answer that one) or if it came out later in the Asian countries. I just remember sitting there eating a cheesburger and they had a McDonalds/Tron cross promotion happening.....random much??

Song of the week........

2011-11-08T20:39:00.000-08:00

Nicole Scherzinger Ftg 50 Cent - Right There

Pics of the week.......

2011-11-07T20:52:00.001-08:00

Shotgun Tournament

2011-11-07T20:24:00.000-08:00

This last weekend was the Annual Pheasant Hunt Shotgun Tournament. After missing last years due to our trip to Las Vegas i was notgoing to miss it this year. It had been about 2 years since i had shot anything at all so my hopes were not high, and with the weather forecast i wasnt sure i would hit anything at all. Snow was foecast and it was going to be COLD!! The snow never came but the cold did. Just to stay warm i had to wear 2 jackets, a thermal top, beane and gloves......and it was still cold. All in all it was still a really fun day and i scored 43 which i thought had beaten my years prior but when i got home to read my post from the tournament 2 years ealrier i found out it was a dead heat........i couldnt believe it. There are 4 stations we shoot clay poigeons from and on the second of they day i lost my focus and only hit 6 out of 24. I only needed 7 more to be at 50% for the day......something to strive for next year!!

5 years gone so quikly

2011-11-07T20:10:00.001-08:00

Last Wednesday marked the 5 year anniversary of me being her ein the U.S of A. Its crazy how fast time goes by. Seems like only yesterday!!

Race Time

2011-11-03T20:32:00.000-07:00

Now that i have decided that i AM going to be running a SPrint Tri next summer i need to choose which i want to run. Still in the preliminary stages but the 2 that i am focussing on at the moment are the Moab Tri, held in mid june at about 4000 ft elevation or the St George Tri, held mid may atabout 2800 ft. I want it to be at a time when the water has had enough time to warm up but the lower altitude is better......not sure which way i am leaning just yet. I would prefer to do the sooner one......I AM EAGER!!

Hiking revised........

2011-10-31T20:04:00.000-07:00

I have been thinking about hiking alot lately.....maybe too much considering we are moving into the winter months where hiking is not going to be something i do alot....i at all!! I now want to explore southern Utah - i am actually pretty upset with myself it has taken me this long to get into hiking as the red rock region is amazing as you will see from the images posted below. I have decided that once the weather warms up i am going to make a couple of trips for the weekend and get my hike on.

Zions National Park:
Angles Landing:

Weping Rock

The Narrows The Subway

Observation Point Weeping Rock

Emerald Pools Canyon Overlook

Canyonlands National Park:

Mesa Arch

Grand View Point Confluence Overlook Bryce Canyon National Park:

Rim Trail

Navajo Loop Fairyland Loop

Arches National Park:

Tower Arch

Park Avenue

Landscape Arch

Fiery Furnace

Delicate Arch

Balanced Rock

Gym Update......

2011-10-31T19:56:00.001-07:00

I thought it was about time i updated on my progress. I have now been back in the gym about 4 months or so and seen quite a change. I am currently down from 19% to 13% and down from 202lbs (91kgs) to 177lbs (80kg). I couldnt believe it when i jumped on the scales this morning - i thouyght at best i would be around 181lb but to have dropped 5lbs in a week blew my mind. I am well on track of all my goals, my original goal was to drop to the 170's (done) and then i wanted to lose more weight than i achieved during my last attempt of 22lb (done) and now i have dropped 25lbs. My next goal is to be under my weight of last year which was 174lbs and my overall goal is to be at or under 170lbs for Mexico and its looking pretty good. The funy thing is that i havent been all that good when it comes to the diet.............

Halloween2011

2011-10-31T19:41:00.001-07:00

Well, today was haloween and i got to stay at home with the girls as we have a house full of sickly people. We made the most of our day locked up indoors (till mom got home). Our first outfit for the day was pirates, so we played pirate games all day and spoke in funny pirate accents. Ava really got a kick out of finding buried treasure hidden all over the house. We then had our second wardrobe change and the girls went as princess (Snow White) & the frog whicch i am not sure demps was all too keen on. Momma also went as Starbuck from Battlestar and ded, well dad didnt dress up yet again.....although next year i totally am. Its taken a while for me to feel the halloween vibe but having kids will always amp it up. I really enjoyed watching Ava get candy from all the vendors at the mall. Im not sure whe knew what to make of it though and i alway s found it a little strange to say go and get some candy from that man. I did realise how polite our little girl is though. Every time someone gave her candy she said thankyou. All the vendors thought it was so cute as most kids would take candy and run. We also had a bunch of kids come to our door which was alot of fun as years prior we either havent been here or only had 1 at most come......so i spoiuled them all and gave out more candy than others.........

I didnt die!!

2011-10-31T18:26:00.001-07:00

.......and i actually enjoyed it - my first spin class that is! I only went at about 75% for fear of killing myself too soon but that does not mean i was not dripping with sweat by the time i left. I think i have found my winter cardio activity. I can not imagine that if i was to do this every week it would not be the fat burner i have been looking for - plus i ge tthe exact kind of bike training in prep for next summers triathlon, only if i had have done it before my last. What more can you ask for? Loud music, dark room and intense exercise.....

Song of the day.....

2011-10-26T21:01:00.001-07:00

Burn Halo - Threw it all away

Song of the week........

2011-10-25T20:16:00.000-07:00

Lil Wayne Ftg. Cory Gunz - 6 Foot 7 Foot

I'm Lovin' It!!

2011-10-24T20:22:00.000-07:00

Why oh why does Maccy Dee's have to smell so good??

Little Rock Canyon

2011-10-23T21:02:00.000-07:00

This canyon should actually be called Hidden Canyon. As i was driving down the freeway from work last week i was looking at all the canyons in the area and noticed that there was 1 that i had not noticed before. It is right next to Rock Canyon which i really enjoyed but wasnt sure how to get there. I checked online maos and noticed that it was in an area of Provo that is a little out of the way - even afterhaving directions there i got lost. Once finding a place to park i got out and tried to hike to it but could not find the trail that headed there. It was clear that this trail isnot hiked very often. The trail to the canyon mouth was very overgrown and once there the trail up the canyon turned into a dry creek bed. The canyon was very narrow, very steep and vertical!! I hiked for about 30 mins before i felt as though it would not be a good idea to continue alone. Heading down i realised just how steep it was - having to slide down sitting on my feet and almost going A over T down the canyon side to the creek bed....was an interesting hike!!

Horsetrail Falls

2011-10-23T20:42:00.000-07:00

A while back i was told of a hike a little further north than i typically hike by Ashleys cousin Paula. I have been meaning to check it out for a few months, but with it being a little further away than normal, i wasnt able to go for 1 of my regular hikes during the girls nap time. So i made a Saturday morning of it. Got out nice and early so i was able to hike while the sun was still behind the mountain. As the sun rose all the fall colours really started to show. Its amazing how much the hikes vary, this one was unlike any of the others i had been on - it was probably the prettiest i have been on so far. The idea was to hike to the falls and get some good shots from the bottom. About 50 minutes in i was able to see the falls across a small canyon - now the hard part was getting there. I thought the trail would have gone straight there as most have so far but not the case here. I hiked up and over abd after another 20 minutes i felt as though i should have already been there. Turns out there is not an obvious path to the bottom of the falls so i must have walked straight past. I ended up hiking beyond the top of the falls. I guess i will have to go again next year.........i want to try to convince Ash to come!!

Pumpkin Patch

2011-10-23T20:30:00.000-07:00

This past weekend Kathy came up to babysit onfriday night so Ash and i could have a night out. On saturday we went to the pumpkin patch down the road in celebration of halloween withthe little ones. Its a little ghetto but Ava has alot of fun. There is a corn maze and some farm animals........

Pics of the week.......

2011-10-23T19:51:00.000-07:00

Park Time

I see you

Gimme that

mmmmmm......blue moon

Date night

AAARGH!!

Cruisin......

Looks like a random dude sitting down - i went hiking 1 morning and stopped to get a drink. I saw a huge line out the front of a gas station and wondered what was going on. There was an autograph signing. this dude played college bball for BYU last year and now plays for Sacramento Kings. Probably the biggest sports person in utah right now.

3D glasses for new game

Charmed Darling

PARTY!!

Im watching you.....

Bday oresent from Aunti Blaire

Chillin......

Pirate Party

Presents for 3rd bday

Demps pulls the funniest faces when she laughs

Songs of the week........

2011-10-23T08:59:00.000-07:00

David Guetta ftg Usher - Withouth You

Rihanna ftg Calvin Harris - We Found Love

Coldplay - Paradise

Spin Baby!!

2011-10-22T20:25:00.000-07:00

Now that we are slowly moving into winter i have been trying to think of an activity i can do to take place of my hiking. I think i may have found it and i think it might just kill me. After i ran my triathlon a few years back i realised that the bike training i had done on the stationary bikes at the gym was not quite sufficient enough. Someone had mentioned to me that spin calsses aredone on bikes that more resemble road race bikes. Well today i decided to take an introductory course and could not believe at how much there was to learn. You would think that you just get on the bike and ride. Far from the case, there is bike set up, riding positions and of course breathing. All to make sure that you do not burn out too quickly, and then of course recovery. Apparently it is not uncommon for someone who has been on a bike for an hour to get off and have all the blood rush back into areas of the body and cause you to be ill. At one point during the class i had a bit of a laugh to look to my left and see the guy next to me sweating his ass off and look like he was about to pass out - we were barely even pushing it.

So i hope that its the form of exercise that will keep me fit and primed for my tri and half marathon next summer..................As long as i dont die in the process!!

MapleLeafs it is!!

2011-10-17T21:04:00.001-07:00

I made the executive decision that my NHL team will be Toronto. Keeping tradition of blue and white football teams (ManU excluded) and the old man followed them when he was younger. I picked the Roos because he followed them so i might as well follow suit here too. I wonder how long it will be before i start to care!!

New Plan!!

2011-10-14T22:20:00.000-07:00

I have given up the idea of racing 10 5k's for the year. My new plan is to get myself ready to run the Timp half marathon and a sprint Triathlon down in St George (lower altitude and warmer water conditions) during the summer of next year. that gives me plenty of time to get in prime condition. I figured my problem this year for the running is that i was carrying too much weight (and lack of training), it always did feel like i was pushing too much around while running. So now that i have dropped a little bit of weight and plan to keep on keeping on it should be a big help in about 9 months from now. Lets just see if i stay on track!!

Random Memory

2011-10-14T21:42:00.000-07:00

Had a random memory this evening as i was driving home from the gym tonight - its oh so random!! I remember in year 9 english class we were alkl required to write a poem. Asking year 9 boys that go to Seaford Carrum to write some poems is clearly not a good idea. I remember hearing one of the kids poems thinking it was really good, only to be told that he pinched the lyric from a 80's rock band.......so what did all of the other boys in thge class do as no one had written a poem yet? You got it, picked a lyric from their favourite rock band. Only problem was that i think i picked a really bad song. Cant remember the song or the teachers reaction - its no wonder i wasnt a good student!!

Rivalry for the ages

2011-10-14T21:28:00.001-07:00

Back in the day when i lived under the same roof as my Bro, we would spend alot of time in my room playing video games, ahh those were the days!! Over time we developed a huge rivalry in Super MarioKart on the Nintendo 64. We would play the same 4 races over and over and the person with the most points at the end of all 4 races was deemed the champion with the loser demanding a rematch instantly. Over the time the challenges added up and in the end it ended up being a chase to 100 that never eventuated. With close to 10 years passing my memory on the exact score fails me, but i am pretty sure it was around 98-97 harley's way. Maybe one day the race to 200 will be on!!

Songs of the week........

2011-10-14T17:40:00.000-07:00

Seether - Tonight

Three Days Grace - Never Too Late

Crap!!

2011-10-12T21:08:00.000-07:00

If there is anything such as a non bucket list, yesterday i got to cross off an item that was pretty high up on the list. Everyday i drive home from work i see atleast a couple of cars pulled over on the side of the road with car problems, and i normally laugh. Well yesterday it was my turn. Driving along i noticed that the car wasnt running so smoothly and felt a little drag, so i pulled over to take a look. BLOWOUT!! Its been about 13 years since i last had to change a tire also not havinany idea if the car was equipped with the tools required i freaked out a little thinking i would be stranded. In the end i had the tire changed over in about 10 minutes and was on my way again. Funny thing is that most people that sit on the side of the road with car problems are approached by stranges, police or incident management to help but do you think anybodystopped to help me.......not one!! I must have been to speedy!!

Sweet little princess

2011-10-12T21:02:00.001-07:00

Today our little angel turned 3. Its crazy to think how fast the time has gone by and how grown up she is. Ava is 3 going on 18 - such an independent little girl. She brightens our every day.....we love you so much snips!!

Pics of the week.......

2011-10-05T20:42:00.000-07:00

Went to a friends house for a birthday party and got a different angle on Timp - was pretty cool!!

Top provided by Shannon....thanks Shan!!

Tennis lessons.....

Crazy faces provided by Demps!!

Ava's first picture where we were actually able to make out what she drew.....proud moment!!

Too big or too small??

Big Ass Bird!! (its a condor) Laughing Kookaburra

Uproar Festival 2011 - A7X going nuts!!

Horns!!

Bang!!

Bad seats......but got better!!

Thanks for the heads up!!

Problem solved!!

Halloween outfit

Daycare stylings

Where are the colliwobbles??

2011-09-30T22:30:00.000-07:00

I cannot begin to explain just howmuch i dislike collingwood football team and their supporters. I am so glad that i am not in Australia for their time of domination!!

My new sport

2011-09-27T21:00:00.000-07:00

I am really excited about the ice hockey season starting. Last season i slowly got myself into it after going to a ducks game with the old man while we were in Anaheim. Now i just have to find myself a team. I think i am going to research a few of the teams and try to watch as much as i can. Right now the froint runners are Anaheim ducks because we went and saw them, ever since i have been getting emails from the club or Toronto Maple Leafs because its the team my old man was into when he lived in Canada.........who knows which i will pick!!

Gym Update

2011-09-25T12:42:00.000-07:00

I am now about 3 months into being "Active" again and have lost about 5% body fat and 16lbs. Its definitely been a challenge this time around. I now go to the gym after dinner at around 7:30 and to find motivation for anything other tha on sitting on the couch and exercising the remote finger is a bit difficult at the best of times. By the time i get home its after 9 and the body just doesnt want to calm down before bed. The program i have been on is pretty full on and has been wearing me down. Then throw tennis, hiking and 12 hour (door to door) work days on top of that and i have very little down time - the price we pay to be in shape!!

This past week i decided to take a week off to let the body recoup but whenver i slow down i tend to eat things i shouldnt (holiday mode). The funny thing is that whenever i eat the things i want but i shouldnt i feel guilty as it goes against everything i am trying to achieve......i think i might be a recovering junk food adict who slips on many many occasions.

The plan to climb Timp didnt pan out this week as i was up late watching the football the night before (to climb i want to be out of the house around 5) and Ash doesnt get much sleep on thursday nights so i didnt want to leave her with the girls for a full day. I think i have been recovering from the ropes course too.......

So now that a new week is upon us, its time to throw myself head first into working out. I figure this past week is going to be the break i needed leading into our trip to mexico which we are planning for early december. Now i can go all out for 2 months and hope to be ingood shape for the beaches of Cancun!!

Work Retreat!!

2011-09-22T20:48:00.001-07:00

A few weeks back the boss told us he was planning a company retreat but wouldnt let anybody know what we were doing - the only thing we were told is it was going to be fun!! Turns out we were sent off to a ropes course. I have never done it before so thought it would be a fun day. I also thought it would be interesting as a few people in my office i do not see as being "phyisically active". The idea for the day was to be a team building activity so it entailed alot of talking about how we can incorporate trust into the work place and how working as a team can help in all situations. Everyone seemed to get alot out of this part of the day but for some reason it really didnt click for me. I think alot of the ideas that were talked about are already a part of me due to the aussie way of life being built around mateship.

Young Homie!!

2011-09-21T21:15:00.000-07:00

Not one to really get into these type of shows but thought this was kinda cool.....sucks cause now i want to watch now how he does!!

Song of the week........

2011-09-19T12:56:00.001-07:00

Sexy And I Know It BMF by BlakMusicFirst
LMFAO - Sexy and I know it

House No. 10

2011-09-18T21:35:00.001-07:00

This is a house that came out of frustration and became more than it was meant to be. One day i came home from work and was sick of design (not that i do any at work), but more importantly the design of homes, what they can and cant be. I have always wanted to d4esign my own home but to have a house that has been "designed" would cost more than your average cookie cutterhouse that you see littered all throughout suburbs of the world. There is a reason that builders produce the same thing over and over....its cheap!! So my thought process was how can you design a house but keep prices down? The original idea was to build a box!! Flat roof and not much gemoetry.....that would keep prices down right?? Well till you go and try to be too creative. I think i failed the original thought - but came up with a pretty cool design!!

Date night!!

2011-09-18T19:58:00.000-07:00

Last Friday night we had the mother in law come up to look after the girls while i took Ash out to see a band she likes. It was nice to get out and be a couple for the night (even if the drive home drove me insane). The band was Rascal Flatts and i think Ash really enjoyed it. Country is not really my thing (minus a few bands) but these guys actually put on a really good show. Cant beat Live Music!!

Race no. 8

2011-09-18T19:50:00.000-07:00

Yet another race. Havent seen any improvement, i actually think my times have gone backwards. My time for this race was 29:56 but i am no longer trying to beat my previous - just enjoying getting out there. The weird thing is that my cardio levels are worse than they are in my earlier races - even with all of the hiking i have been doing. About 4 minutes into this race my lungs felt like they wanted to explode so i took a few extra breaks. I think part of the reason is that my gym workouts have changed since the start of summer - i am only doing high intensity interval training so i am not used to running in long stints. This was to be 2nd last run for the year but i want to get to 10 (miscounted) so i will have to find one for next month and then run my last in November!!

The Climb

2011-09-18T19:41:00.001-07:00

In 6 days fromnow i will be doing something i have wanted to do since i moved here.....i will climb the beast. Mt Timpanogas is the huge wall that sits on the eastern side of utah valley. Havent decided what time i will be setting out as i am climbing with my buddy Jake and all the details will be decided over lunch this week. All i know is that areound lunch next saturday i will be sitting on its summit of almost 12000 feet. I think i had better take a ladder or something to reach that mark. I will be sure to take a camera and have plenty of pics.........

Are you ready for some football!!

2011-09-12T20:25:00.000-07:00

Well its that time of the year again. Australian football winding down and American football kicking of this past weekend. Can i say how awesome it is to have football year round (not sure my wife would agree)......im a bit of a sports whore!! Last night while i was watching the season opener for the cowboys, as they were about to lose something dawned on me. Now that i have been over here for 5 years i get more frustrated when the cowboys lose. Im not saying that i prefer american to australian football,cause that will never happen, but i think that because i barely ever get to see the roos play (lucky to get 2 live games a year) and i watch the cowboys almost every week im currently more invested inthe boys over the roos. It could also be the fact that North Melbourne have been "rebuilding" for quite some time now and year in year out it is said that its going to be the year of the cowboys.

The bottomline is that right now i am a very frustrated football supporter. So much promise each and every year, but year in and year out i am left disappointed and wanting more. Luckily i will always have ManU who never fail to achieve greatness!!

Slate Canyon

2011-09-11T20:35:00.000-07:00

All hikes in Utah lead the to the same place......UP!!
Hadnt hiked in a little while so i decided to head out today to get some cardio in. Headed out to Slate Canyon which is here in Provo. I actually hiked the adjacent canyon a few weeks back (rock canyon) and immediately noticed alot of similarities. As its later in the year the canyon was alot really dry, it had about 10 river crossing but the river was empty. Would have been alot more picturesque with some water. This hike was pretty much striaght up so it was very tiring and painful on the legs - it was probably not a good idea to do this type of hike after a legs day in the gym.

This might look like i am smiling but i am actually trying to get my breath back. About 15 minutes into the hike and i was very short of breath..........i love having asthma!!

At one point of the hike i starte dto freak myself out a little. Saw some paw prints in the trail and heard some noises. Saw on Man v Wild that if you are out in the wild, if you put your glasses on backward it will make the cougars think they are walking toward them. Lasted about 5 minutes.

At this point i turned around - about 90 minutes into my walk, but not before my most manly moment in years. As i was walking the grass got higher and the path became grown over. I took a step and i almost stepped on a snake. It went shooting out and ran down the trail. I got a bit startled and let out a bit of a yelp...........

Got to entertain myself some how!!

Made it back!!

Champion!!

2011-09-11T19:36:00.000-07:00

Huge day in Australian tennis today. Sam Stosur beat Serena Williams 6-2 6-3 in the 2011 womens U.S. Open final for the first womens grand slam win in 31 years, Margaret Court was the last to win in 1980 and she is only the second Australian woman to win here in the U.S. At the moment she is the only shining light in Aussie tennis that is so rich in history.....so i hope that she gets all the rewards she deserves........oh and $1.8 Million USD!!

Attention all new bands!!

2011-09-10T12:06:00.000-07:00

Red Hot Chilli Peppers - Teh Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie

This band never ceases to amaze me. ALot of new bands (and old for that matter), could learn alot from the chilli willies.To be around for as long as they have been and still make munsic that has substance, creative and relevant. My hat goes off to you. I will gladly fork out my hard earned money to buy your cds. Job well done!!

Songs of the week........

2011-09-09T15:14:00.000-07:00

Travis Barker - Lets Go

Avril Lavigne - Wish you were here

Big Sean - Marvin & Chardonnay

Being a dad......

2011-09-08T20:56:00.000-07:00

Got this sent to me the other day by my friend Kelly....i thought it was pretty special:

50 rules for dads of daughters:

1. Love her mom. Treat her mother with respect, honor, and a big heaping spoonful of public displays of affection. When she grows up, the odds are good she’ll fall in love with and marry someone who treats her much like you treated her mother. Good or bad, that’s just the way it is. I’d prefer good.

2. Always be there. Quality time doesn’t happen without quantity time. Hang out together for no other reason than just to be in each other’s presence. Be genuinely interested in the things that interest her. She needs her dad to be involved in her life at every stage. Don’t just sit idly by while she add years to her… add life to her years.

3. Save the day. She’ll grow up looking for a hero. It might as well be you. She’ll need you to come through for her over and over again throughout her life. Rise to the occasion. Red cape and blue tights optional.

4. Savor every moment you have together. Today she’s crawling around the house in diapers, tomorrow you’re handing her the keys to the car, and before you know it, you’re walking her down the aisle. Some day soon, hanging out with her old man won’t be the bees knees anymore. Life happens pretty fast. You better cherish it while you can.

5. Pray for her. Regularly. Passionately. Continually.

6. Buy her a glove and teach her to throw a baseball. Make her proud to throw like a girl… a girl with a wicked slider.

7. She will fight with her mother. Choose sides wisely.

8. Go ahead. Buy her those pearls.

9. Of course you look silly playing peek-a-boo. You should play anyway.

10. Enjoy the wonder of bath time.

11. There will come a day when she asks for a puppy. Don’t over think it. At least one time in her life, just say, “Yes.”

12. It’s never too early to start teaching her about money. She will still probably suck you dry as a teenager… and on her wedding day.

13. Make pancakes in the shape of her age for breakfast on her birthday. In a pinch, donuts with pink sprinkles and a candle will suffice.

14. Buy her a pair of Chucks as soon as she starts walking. She won’t always want to wear matching shoes with her old man.

15. Dance with her. Start when she’s a little girl or even when she’s a baby. Don’t wait ‘til her wedding day.

16. Take her fishing. She will probably squirm more than the worm on your hook. That’s OK.

17. Learn to say no. She may pitch a fit today, but someday you’ll both be glad you stuck to your guns.

18. Tell her she’s beautiful. Say it over and over again. Someday an animated movie or “beauty” magazine will try to convince her otherwise.

19. Teach her to change a flat. A tire without air need not be a major panic inducing event in her life. She’ll still call you crying the first time it happens.

20. Take her camping. Immerse her in the great outdoors. Watch her eyes fill with wonder the first time she sees the beauty of wide open spaces. Leave the iPod at home.

21. Let her hold the wheel. She will always remember when daddy let her drive.

22. She’s as smart as any boy. Make sure she knows that.

23. When she learns to give kisses, she will want to plant them all over your face. Encourage this practice.

24. Knowing how to eat sunflower seeds correctly will not help her get into a good college. Teach her anyway.

25. Letting her ride on your shoulders is pure magic. Do it now while you have a strong back and she’s still tiny.

26. It is in her nature to make music. It’s up to you to introduce her to the joy of socks on a wooden floor.

27. If there’s a splash park near your home, take her there often. She will be drawn to the water like a duck to a puddle.

28. She will eagerly await your return home from work in the evenings. Don’t be late.

29. If her mom enrolls her in swim lessons, make sure you get in the pool too. Don’t be intimidated if there are no other dads there. It’s their loss.

30. Never miss her birthday. In ten years she won’t remember the present you gave her. She will remember if you weren’t there.

31. Teach her to roller skate. Watch her confidence soar.

32. Let her roll around in the grass. It’s good for her soul. It’s not bad for yours either.

33. Take her swimsuit shopping. Don’t be afraid to veto some of her choices, but resist the urge to buy her full-body beach pajamas.

34. Somewhere between the time she turns three and her sixth birthday, the odds are good that she will ask you to marry her. Let her down gently.

35. She’ll probably want to crawl in bed with you after a nightmare. This is a good thing.

36. Few things in life are more comforting to a crying little girl than her father’s hand. Never forget this.

37. Introduce her to the swings at your local park. She’ll squeal for you to push her higher and faster. Her definition of “higher and faster” is probably not the same as yours. Keep that in mind.

38. When she’s a bit older, your definition of higher and faster will be a lot closer to hers. When that day comes, go ahead… give it all you’ve got.

39. Holding her upside down by the legs while she giggles and screams uncontrollably is great for your biceps. WARNING: She has no concept of muscle fatigue.

40. She might ask you to buy her a pony on her birthday. Unless you live on a farm, do not buy her a pony on her birthday. It’s OK to rent one though.

41. Take it easy on the presents for her birthday and Christmas. Instead, give her the gift of experiences you can share together.

42. Let her know she can always come home. No matter what.

43. Remember, just like a butterfly, she too will spread her wings and fly some day. Enjoy her caterpillar years.

44. Write her a handwritten letter every year on her birthday. Give them to her when she goes off to college, becomes a mother herself, or when you think she needs them most.

45. Learn to trust her. Gradually give her more freedom as she gets older. She will rise to the expectations you set for her.

46. When in doubt, trust your heart. She already does.

47. When your teenage daughter is upset, learning when to engage and when to back off will add years to YOUR life. If you succeed in doing this, tell me how.

48. Ice cream covers over a multitude of sins. Know her favorite flavor.

49. This day is coming soon (showing interest in boys). There’s nothing you can do to be ready for it. The sooner you accept this fact, the easier it will be.

50. Today she’s walking down the driveway to get on the school bus. Tomorrow she’s going off to college. Don’t blink.

Pics of the week.......

2011-09-06T21:00:00.001-07:00

Fishin with gwampa!!

Golfin in Etown....such a hard life

Represent

Gym madness

Swim time

Even utah has hooters!!

Song of the week........

2011-09-02T17:32:00.000-07:00

Kanye West/Jay Z - Otis

Nicki Minaj Ftg Rhianna - Fly

About time..........

2011-08-29T19:28:00.000-07:00

Finally getting a little bit of hitting practice under my belt with a guy from work. We talk tennis all the time at work all the time, but i have always had that question is he any good or does he just like to talk tennis?? It turns out that he is actually pretty good- so i have finally found a hitting partner that is lifting my game!!

Gym Update

2011-08-28T20:45:00.000-07:00

I have now completed about 7 weeks of my program and have lost about 12 lbs (taking official measurement tomorrow). Making some nice progressbut no where near where i want to be. Still cant completely get my nutrition in line - always the hardest part. I dont eat bad, but the programs always require such a strict nutrition plan which i cant get into. I am losing the weight so thats the main thing, even if it does take me longer than i would hope.

I have decided to ditch the old program as it was structured to weird in terms of workouts. So i have found a different program that runs 6 weeks and am applying the workout side to the initial overall program. Lets see how the next 6 weeks go........thats not a long time right?? I think i need to put more of an effort into the nutrition and cardio!!

The Rivalry continues.....

2011-08-28T20:08:00.000-07:00

Cant shake the feeling.

2011-08-26T21:54:00.000-07:00

I cant believe that in a few weeks i will have been employed at the RDP for a year and lived in our new apartment. Its crazy, where has the time gone, It seems like only yesterday. everyday at work i wonder what it would be like if i never got this job - where would we be today?? Because of what i went through with the unemployment i have a very strange outlook on the security of my job. I am forever thinking that i am dispensable and i am unable to shake it. The feeling is only made stronger with the introduction of the new program i work on. I look around at my co workersand see people that have been there for years and have several years of Revit experience and that fills me with a feeling of insecurity.

When i first moved over here, i remember walking into the Scholz office and seeing posters of the work they had done on the walls and my first thought was "wow, i cant cut it here". Coming from a background of only homes and mostly small first/second home buyer cookie cutter designs (i use the word design loosely) to an industry that deals mostly in Commercial, which i had never done before. It turns out that Scholz was a great place to cut my teeth and get an introduction into the world of Architecture.

When i got the job at RDP, i was again given a rude awakening. Even though i had been working at a company that does similar projects as what i am doing now (at a smaller scale) it become very apparent most of the office practices werenot up to par. So in a sense i felt like i was starting over yet again. When we finally get around to moving back to Australia, i ammore than likely going to have to go through the whole process all over again.

Its a never ending feeling of not being worthy for the job. Hopefully one day i will feel like i belong!!

Songs of the week........

2011-08-26T17:08:00.000-07:00

Rihanna - Cheers (Drink to that)

Dev - Bass Down Low

Blink 182 - Up all night
.....got to say i am pretty amped about this one!!

Best concert of my life!!

2011-08-25T21:37:00.001-07:00