WHAT YOU TALKIN' 'BOUT, WILLIS?

Red Bank pool

Here is a look back at last Saturday's trip to the Red Bank pool.

I call this one, "Getting Ready."

These are two extremely white guys that no one else wants to swim around.

But we had a great time. What does tomorrow hold?

Work stuff

Here are a couple projects I have been working on that I am decently proud of. All fairly industrial or corporate, but I feel I've interjected creative sparks here and there:

GEARUP - I'll put this link up in the mornin'.
HOSA

We've done a ton of work at the Studio lately, and I think it's high time to acknowledge how awesome we are becoming. I'll post more achievements soon.

Things I would and wouldn't miss if I were in Jingzhou, China

Reading Dale and Lisa's blog makes me think about all the things I would be missing if I were that far from home, but I also can't help but think of all the things I wouldn't miss as well. So I decided to make this list.

Things I wouldn't miss:

Wal-Mart. The bright lights, the crowds, the crasy people yelling at their kids. The last time I went I nearly had a break-down.

That funky smell in downtown Chattanooga during the summer. Smells like something put in the sewer to cover up the poop smell. Chances are though, China's plumbing is much worse.

Work. Seems like any American could live like a king in most other countries just by acting important and doing speaking engagements. I could be an expert on any subject as long as I'm the foreigner.

Technology. Sometimes it feels good to have no pager, no cell phone, no email, no worries.

Things I would miss:

Wal-Mart. They're just so cheap, and it's all in one place. Maybe my near breakdown is my difficulty reconciling these two conflicting views.

China Lee and Typhoon of Tokyo. I get antsy if I don't eat at both of those for over a week.

Friends and family, but I'm sure new friends and new Family are pretty awesome too.

Technology. I'm a junkie. I have dreams about flipping channels and editing video. It's very sad, but I don't think I could live very long being completely unplugged.

Car Rack Status

Lately I'm noticing a trend in Chattanooga that is growing exponentially. I think it has everything to do with the mayor's plan for an "Outdoor-sy Chattanooga." I'm talking about those sporty car-racks.. I mean, I feel like I'm in Boulder or Tacoma or Bend.. It's awesome!

It's really cool seeing a fancy car, such as a Mercedes or Range Rover, with a cheap mountain-bike or whatever system on top. You're rich, and you have time for leisure, Go you! It seems like the rusty old luggage carrier my Dad strapped to the roof of the car every year around Christmas just won't cut it anymore. Now you need a Thule or Rocky Mounts or Yakima--had some friends move to Yakima, desolate place.

Anyway, in my effort to look sporty, I am looking for the cheapest possible car rack that will go with my factory rack on a Ford Escape. I'm looking at these Thule strappy things, but I'm not sure they would work for a kayak AND a canoe. Would they go with my North Face and Rock/Creek stickers?

Jackson pics

This big smile came after several minutes of looking at his own pictures.
Having a baby isn't so bad...

Ours actually cleans up around the house some. As if swiffering the floor wasn't great enough, Jackson now shows a keen interest in the cleanliness of our toilets. Actually he is amazed at the whole plumbing operation, which can be pretty inconvenient when you are home alone with him and need to go.

Here are some pictures of a family art project gone horribly wrong:

Oh well, maybe next time.

I wish I had some pictures of Jackson at Riverbend last night, or of this morning's steps he took between me and mommy. I wouldn't say he was walking yet, but that was enough steps to be travelling in basketball.

Comcast Refund

I think this might be important to just about everyone I know in Chatt-town..

Apple

This may be the coolest thing Apple has ever done..

Anyone know of non-Apple products that will do the same for cheaper?

A parent's skewed perception

I think it is very interesting how my wife and I, not being baby-people or people who have a natural affinity towards kids, give a pretty honest evaluation of other's people's babies when we see them. Privately and to ourselves of course, but sometimes it's like, that sure was some ugly baby, I mean, ughh!

But then with our own son, who we realize we are crazy about and completely biased toward--well, he's the cutest baby in the world! Not that there aren't other cute babies, there are, but I'm sure every parent thinks their baby is cute. Even the parent's of particularly ugly babies.

So how do we know? Is our baby cute or are we just crazy like everyone else who has kids? I feel like we are still somewhat objective because looking back at Jackson's old pictures, some of the ones we thought were cute now seem ugly, especially compared to the latest cute pics. Or maybe that's where we've lost it, our parent's perception is so totally out of control that we will never be able to understand when his principal calls and says, We had a problem at school today. Not my baby..

How is this going to affect him? How do we keep from being the nut-job parents you see on talk shows?

Tippy canoe

This is me, my father, and my father-in-law on the North Chick creek today. How Kerry and I have managed this wonderful arrangement of in-laws who like each other I don't know, but it is quite a blessing. Last weekend we all get together and fried a turkey.

Anyway, as it turns out, students and staff of UTC can borrow these canoes any time. Pretty sweet. Forget buying one. I may buy a rack for our car and just bring onoe home every weekend just in case..

Earlier in the day Bo, Chris Young, and I went further up the creek and had several misadventures. Its all part of the summer of canoe.

Lookin' for a good time?

If you answered yes, you may want to check out RISK--the classic Game of Global Domination. As usual, when I host the party, I am the first to be out of the game. It's just good hosting I say.






Here are some character profiles of my opponents:

This is Meghraj. He doesn't talk about strategy. Oh he talks, makes sound effects, chokes on soft drinks and plays the race card, but he does NOT talk about strategy.














Chris Young. Pessimist. Actually controlled all of Asia and kept saying, I'm screwed, I'm screwed. Keeps his cool.












Bo Wheeler. Style, aggressive. A little too aggressive maybe. Bo doesn't play and doesn't appreciate table talk. Watch your game ettiquette around this guy.












Me. All-round loser. All talk, no dazzle. Want to play conservatively but can't contain my enthusiasm. Fast start and quick finish.

Anyway. If you need more Risk you might want to check out finalconquest.com or clevermedia.com to get some action.

Anybody know anything about kayaks?

I need some info on sit-on-top or entry-level touring kayaks. I want to get something fun, that I won't regret buying, but as cheap as possible. I'd like to find a used boat, but if I go with new I've narrowed it down to the following:

Ocean Kayak Malibu Two
Bic Tobago
Wilderness Systems Pamlico 135T
Mad River Adventure 16, if I decide to go with a canoe.

BTW - I realized today that if REI has 3 stores in Atlanta, something must be keeping them out of Chattanooga. If they put in a store they could really put a hurt on Rock/Creek. Does Corker have something to do with this? Rock/Creek is greed...

Anybody know any ways to find out what used flatwater boats are available around here?