Graduation: The Pinning Ceremony

Today was the Pinning Ceremony. Tomorrow is the full blown graduation. Here is Chara by the school of nursing building.

a better picture of the group. she is top right.

and here she is with her friends.

Tomorrow is the big ole day of fun with the graduation and party and such... Tomorrow will be the longest day ever, but hopefully a lot of fun. Then we are off to Mexico on Saturday. We can't wait.

Ben...

Graduation 1 of 2

This one is the first. The second is tomorrow.

Too much of a good thing?

Back at Disneyland once again... this time with the family. Here is Sophie on the Merry-go-round.

A tea cup full of girls

and the girls meeting yet another princess... dear lord...

and thats why we don't have kids. but its fun to see them every once in a while. but we are Disneyland-ed out... need a break

oh... and Chara graduates today...for the first ceremony. The real one is tomorrow.

Ben...

the happiest day on earth

so yesterday was my last final ever - and afterwards me and the ladies headed up to disneyland to celebrate.. we spent two days having the most fun ever.. i am tired, and exhausted, and ready to sleep..

grads 2008
 

mr toads wild ride..
 

my girls..
 

#2 pencil

this will be the last scan tron i have to fill at at SDSU.. couldn't be more excited
 

the eye of the tiger

tomorrow is my last final ever in nursing school.. i am having a hard time finding the inspiration i need to study.. i am so over books and tests..
but for now i must focus.. just one more test..

showtime

the kiddos came over yesterday.. and we had movie night..

popcorn time..
 

uncle ben and deborah watching a movie..
 

pretty please

'please stop doing homework and play with me..'
 

cold and rainy

Whats up with this weather? Its rainy out and i'm freezing. I can't wait to be next to the pool in Mexico with the sun on me. Almost there. Chara had her last lecture today. She only has 2 days of school left and then its party time. Wahoo!

bring it on

today spin class went an extra half hour -
that's right - an hour and a half of spin.. that's something like 600 calories burned before lunch.. and now i'm ready for a nap..

They are all against me

Its a conspiracy i tell ya!

First it was free cone day at Ben and Jerry's and now 31 cent scoop at Baskin and Robbins.

There is a secret Ice Cream Council out there somewhere that is plotting against me and my diet.

But its ok. I resisted the sweet temptation (pun intended) and went running instead tonight.

they can try all they like... but they will not win...

Its coming up quick...

Oh My.... No Pants Day is THIS FRIDAY... and i haven't made any plans yet!

Its national cheat on your diet day

Or at least i have declared it as such

i could not say no to the banana blackberry pancakes at lunch...

plus its Ben and Jerry's free cone day!

so go out and get a cone people! put a smile on that face

then its off to the gym tonight for some pilates and a 5 mile run.

Ben...

*update* that was THE best ice cream cone i've ever had. Something about a free cone of good ice cream on a warm day. Best feeling in the world.

ps. i walked to and from the mall where i got the cone so that made me feel a little better about cheating on the diet.

2 week-ish diet update

Diets blow

That is all.

I fought the law...

and i won!!!

case dismissed. I'd chalk it up to my expert legally-type of expertise and courtroom presence, but it was more likely the fact that the cop didn't show up. Court started at 10:00 AM, and i was out of there by 10:02.

Yes, i'm that good.

smack down

ok - new rule - any presidential candidate who appeared on WWE two nights ago - does not get my vote.
so that means - i will not be voting for Hil-Rod - no i cannot smell what Barack is cooking - and no - i will not be signing up to join the McCainiacs any time soon..
i know - i might be over reacting.. but seriously - these people are running for president hulk hogan style.. so disappointing..

They stole my idea!

Well a while ago i posted this brilliant idea about getting and RV and cruising around the globe.

Well apparently someone stole my idea and did it one better by doing it with a family of 9 kids in a 24 foot trailer. thats hardcore.

Check out this film about their story. I want to see this film.

and i still want to take that trip.

Ben...

So cute

My doggie is the cutest.

Today's funny

Brandon, i think you need to start doing this when you pull people over

Diet dinner day two

Probably won't keep posting these every day, but here is dinner for day two of the diet. We are in full diet mode even though Chara isn't fully on board yet. I've threatened to kick her out of the diet club, but that doesn't seem to phase her.

Pork loin with soy/garlic marinade with vegetables and beans. super yummy.

diet food

Here is the first dinner of our diet. Lots of protein. I'm an amazing cook. You know you want some.

And i finally weighed myself. I'm rocking a solid 153. Not as bad as i thought, but still room for some loss.

And so it begins...

In preparation for our big Mexico trip and just for summer in general we are starting our Diet 2.0. Not sure why its 2.o, but it sounds better.

We (yes both Chara and I) are going to do this diet together for the next 30 days. Because after 30 days my family comes into town and Chara is done with school and its all going to hell with eating out and parties and such. So for the next 30 days, we diet.

We are doing the Tim Ferris crazy protein diet. Very similar to Atkins. Basically, no carbs, lots of protein and vegetables etc. We did our shopping yesterday so today we start.

I should probably weigh myself so i know where i'm starting at.

Ben...

team player

41 days, 13 horus, 48 minutes, 32 secnds till freedome.. so close..

the crew at photo day..
 

How far we've come

Sometimes i think we've come "so far" as a people with technology and whatever. And then i see something like this



we are barely scraping by i swear.

it's all happening

it is official - i am graduating...
got to pick these beauties up today
 

Silly dog

Watching videos of other dogs online. She was very engaged.

this is the best dog video of the day

Chara should be happy that...

At least i'm not building a tank.

Here's the new plan

So you know i'm addicted to Craigslist and i can't seem to have enough cars around my house nowadays, so here is my new plan.

We (Chara and I and some of you, our friends), get an RV off of Craigslist for a couple grand. We pimp it out inside, fix it all up, maybe even a greasel conversion, and we drive that thing to South America.

Who's in?

And i want to make a quick stop by Bonnaroo this summer too.

Its April 3rd, time to spread some love

Hello to all

Its April 3rd, and it has thus been declared Good People Day by my friend Gary Vaynerchuk.

Its a day to celebrate the good people in your life. And since taxes are done and i am in a loving mood, its a good day to do it.

So take some time today to say thanks to all your friends, family and loved ones that are good people and spread the word.

To all my friends all around the world, We love you so much, and you are the best people ever!!!

spread some love and good cheer today people

Ben...

the tax man

ben's doing taxes tonight - so i am trying my best to stay out of his way.. it's best to avoid ben when he has to deal with this sort of thing.. taxes make ben angry..

Chara is the best

Chara just made me the best root beer freeze ever. Its like a root beer float, but all blended together like a milkshake. yummy

This after the longest day ever of pulling the engine out of my car.

Big thanks to Trevor for coming down to help with that thing. He laughed at me for trying to do it in my driveway. He was right. That thing was a big pain in the ass to pull, but we got it.

so tired now.

Ben

REI Sale(s) = Success

We hit not one, but TWO REI used gear sales today. Yes we are that hardcore. And we got some good stuff. Actually i got a lot of good stuff. Chara didn't find as many treasures as i did. But it was still good times to be had by all.

Here is a pic of Chara nd Kevyn sporting his new North Face jacket he scored

We have our booty and are checking out

Way too much stuff but such good deals. Thinking about hitting the REI on the way home too. We are crazy.

And so it begins

We are in line at 6:30 for the big REI sale. Chara is pissed at me for driving farther to the bigger REI but its just a better. More updates to come.

Explain to me what this is in my fridge

Its like an upside down icicle but round. I'm perplexed.

The best day ever

I should not be as excited about this as i am, but this Saturday is the big REI used gear sale at REI.

and you know i'll be there bright and early in the morning to camp out in line to get the good deals on gear i probably don't need, but will someday use.

I missed the last two of these due to traveling for work so i think thats why i'm so excited. I have all this pent up shopping spree inside of me that is screaming to get out and spend that REI dividend check.

Check back on Saturday for all the updates from the sale.

Ben...

if you use craigslist, you need this

I'm way too addicted to craigslist lately, but its just awesome

I've been giving away stuff like crazy, and find parts for my new project car as well. its just awesome

anyway, found this little firefox extension that shows you the images of the item without having to click on it.

super cool

check it out if you use cragslist.

Ben...

Chara REALLY loves me now

Chara wasn't all that pleased when i got my new project car because that meant she could no longer park in the garage because it would be taken up with the new car and me working on it.

Now she REALLY loves me for getting yet another car for said car project. This one lives on the side yard, another thing she is not really happy with.

Pretty soon it will look like this, and be up on blocks and i'll be tearing it apart. All things that make a wife really really happy.

The next car goes in the front yard on blocks directly so we can jump straight to redneck status.

I got this car for the engine. It will be used in my Bugeye. So hopefully it won't be on our side yard for that long. Maybe only a couple years.

easter part I

for easter we all headed over to my brother and loans -
my sister called me before and said she wasnt feeling up to a family get together - her whole family had gotten sick, and she finally succumbed to it on easter.. so i decided that since we had gotten all the easter baskets together, and were prepared for an easter egg hunt, and had all the stuff for dying eggs - that even if my sister couldn't make it - the kids needed to.. so ben (very reluctantly) and i assumed responsibility for deborah and isaiah - and played pretend parents on easter..
we had a great time.. the food was a amazing, and the family time was great..
it was a nice relaxing sunday - many thanks to trevor and loan who worked over time to make this a great easter.. thank you guys for the food, the family, and the fun.. you guys truly outdid yourselves..


just chilling
 

getting our egg dying on
 

on the hunt
 

easter part II

deborah an her mad art skills
 

puzzles make for some awesome teamwork
 

isaiah, sarai, and deborah - showing off their loot
 

as pretend parents we did so good.. only had one breakdown.. deborah walked right into isaiah's head..
you can see me trying my best to be comforting - and loan comforting isaiah - who didn't need much comforting.. such a boy..
 

Some really cool HDR photos of graffiti

This guy has some great HDR photos of graffiti. Check them out.

oh happy day.

we had a great easter with my fam.. -
but for now - we are exhausted and off to bed..
more pictures to come later..

isaiah and his easter egg - yummy
 

Happy early Easter

Ok just wanted to post something positive instead of all this sickness nonsense that i'm getting over. I better be done being sick for the year. I've put in more than my fare share of sick time.

Anyway, just wanted to say a Happy Easter to all friends and family. I hope you get a chance to spend this weekend with friends and family and loved ones.

We miss all our great friends that we don't get to see enough

We are going to be up in the OC hanging with Chara's family on Sunday so that should be fun. I'm just looking forward to a weekend where i'm not sick.

Happy Friday to you all, and what a Good Friday it is.

Ben...

currently listening to Matt Nathanson. He's really good, check him out.

sick of being sick

my body is going on strike. Its tired of being sick. Its had enough. Its walking off the job unless i get better.

it has made its demands

and i'm giving in to them.

time to get better.

Ben...

raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens..

this makes my heart and tummy happy.. i love this time of year..

Homeward bound

Asleep by 4am
Awake at 6am
Off to airport

I'm going home!!!!

And I made it into the LA Times...with the hat

Include "Fashion Icon" into my ever-growing list of titles

I made the LA Times Web Scout Blog for my phenomenal fashion sense at SXSW



Sorry Chara, you can't argue with a major news outlet like that.

Best. Food. Ever.

Period

Shrimp corndogs

Hells yeah.

So good.

Moonshine

Eating lunch with fiends at moonshine. Good Cajun food and popcorn on the table. Yum

So i didn't think i could top last night

Last night i was picked up from rockclimbing with a bunch of geeks by a party RV loaded with drinks and nachos and we cruised around Austin all night, ending up in an enchanted forest where i saw a really cool band and got the coolest hat ever. it was an amazing evening and set the bar pretty high for SXSW.

i wasn't expecting to top that, but check out who i ran into tonight




Thats right, the man himself, Neil Patrick Harris. Saw him and Kal Penn in a hotel and then went and saw their new film Harold and Kumar escape from Guantanamo Bay. Freaking hilarious.

Then went to a wine party with Gary V. Good times.

Hello. I'm the moron bowl

quote of the day

When I do good, I feel good; when I do bad, I feel bad, and that is my religion.
- Abraham Lincoln