There is just something about a fast car that is amazing to me.
Just yesterday as T-roy and I were driving home from the ranch, we saw the Aston Martin Vanquish, the dynasty coupe from James Bond lore. This car was SO beautiful, and when I tried to get a close up picture with my camera phone, the driver sped off and left me in the dust. Ironic? I was already doing 80 mph just to catch up to him. And VROOOM! Off in a hurry he went. I never did get my photo.
Someone sent me an article about the fastest car in the world. Right now, the fastest car in the world is called a 2007 Bugatti Veyron, and it sports 1001 hp, and can go 407 km/h, or 253 mph. That’s faster than most Cessna one prop airplane can fly. And it’s certainly faster than any other car. Daytona, Formula 1, even my old Scirocco.
Here is the video in its entirety. They have set it up to the cinematic score of Star Wars I: The Phantom Menace. It is hard to get an idea of how fast this car is going…until you can see the trees in the background vanishing into nothingness.
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x157l2_bugatti-veyron-at-top-speed
It may take a while for it to load, but I believe it is certainly worth your wait. Just listen to a lot of the specs on the car, such as: This car has 10 radiators, meanwhile most cars only have ONE. Have fun.
Saturday, April 7, 2007
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
The Dream Trip
Commencing on June 2nd, 2007, three characters will be leaving the shores of the Great Salt Lake and heading east, towards the Rocky Mountains, the backbone of the continent.
I have been sworn to secrecy, but I can assure you that we will be fishing for 5 days in Utah and 10 days in Colorado, and more specifically for the legendary Salmonfly hatch in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison River. We will be taking our digital camcorder, and will be recording most of the days’ events. The locations will be changed and run through a National Security Firewall so that we may protect the innocent trout we plan on catching, and so others will not ditch their full-time jobs and try to entice large cruising trout to their silly dry flies. Our company of three is just the right amount for the three tasks while on the river:
1) The cameraman
2) The fish spotter
3) The angler
Traveling with me: Mucha and Schroeder, though nicknames will be earned and assigned prior to the beginning of the exodus.
Schroeder is a pilot by day, Macbook junkie by night, wannabe skater 24/7 and this guy throws a mean Andy Kim combination as he learned the art of flyfishing while in flight school in Farmington, New Mexico. It makes sense that he would spend all of his extracurricular time on the San Juan, targeting rod-breaking rainbows and brutish brown trout. Schroeder also has a rare taste for the “Guadalagucho”, the Lucha Libre wrestling style of Mexican tradition. Rumor has it he can put away 3 breakfast burritos from Molcasalsa in ONE sitting!
Mucha works somewhere in the realm of banking for Wells Fargo, but we know the internal weekend warrior is a South Slope Enthusiast who knows how to catch those big butterscotch browns better than anyone. Taught in the way of his grandfather, his knowledge of secret trout streams exceeds his age and experience. Standing only 5’8 (on a good day) with Afro intact, he sports an unconventional yet graceful casting style and his accuracy is unmatched. Mucha is also a HUGE Grateful Dead fan and will no doubt have a great amount of influence in selecting music for the video.
The Angling Exploration Group have already shown us the way on how to make a documentary, via the “Trout Bum Diaries” and we tip their hats to them when we say that we hope our film doesn’t suck TOO much, and that our 15 day adventure will be an homage to the other flyfishing filmmaking enthusiasts. If we find any success beyond our own financial exteriors, we make take it one step further and create a production company. I have to admit, I never thought I would be making a DVD with an adventure, but thanks to my old roomies, the founders of www.canyonboys.com I have been shown the way to my own creative endeavors.
Stay tuned for more updates into the June Flyfishing marathon!
I have been sworn to secrecy, but I can assure you that we will be fishing for 5 days in Utah and 10 days in Colorado, and more specifically for the legendary Salmonfly hatch in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison River. We will be taking our digital camcorder, and will be recording most of the days’ events. The locations will be changed and run through a National Security Firewall so that we may protect the innocent trout we plan on catching, and so others will not ditch their full-time jobs and try to entice large cruising trout to their silly dry flies. Our company of three is just the right amount for the three tasks while on the river:
1) The cameraman
2) The fish spotter
3) The angler
Traveling with me: Mucha and Schroeder, though nicknames will be earned and assigned prior to the beginning of the exodus.
Schroeder is a pilot by day, Macbook junkie by night, wannabe skater 24/7 and this guy throws a mean Andy Kim combination as he learned the art of flyfishing while in flight school in Farmington, New Mexico. It makes sense that he would spend all of his extracurricular time on the San Juan, targeting rod-breaking rainbows and brutish brown trout. Schroeder also has a rare taste for the “Guadalagucho”, the Lucha Libre wrestling style of Mexican tradition. Rumor has it he can put away 3 breakfast burritos from Molcasalsa in ONE sitting!
Mucha works somewhere in the realm of banking for Wells Fargo, but we know the internal weekend warrior is a South Slope Enthusiast who knows how to catch those big butterscotch browns better than anyone. Taught in the way of his grandfather, his knowledge of secret trout streams exceeds his age and experience. Standing only 5’8 (on a good day) with Afro intact, he sports an unconventional yet graceful casting style and his accuracy is unmatched. Mucha is also a HUGE Grateful Dead fan and will no doubt have a great amount of influence in selecting music for the video.
The Angling Exploration Group have already shown us the way on how to make a documentary, via the “Trout Bum Diaries” and we tip their hats to them when we say that we hope our film doesn’t suck TOO much, and that our 15 day adventure will be an homage to the other flyfishing filmmaking enthusiasts. If we find any success beyond our own financial exteriors, we make take it one step further and create a production company. I have to admit, I never thought I would be making a DVD with an adventure, but thanks to my old roomies, the founders of www.canyonboys.com I have been shown the way to my own creative endeavors.
Stay tuned for more updates into the June Flyfishing marathon!
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
9th South Sunsets
I can’t be happier with the decision to accelerate the dates three weeks early for Daylight Savings. Coupled with the mahvelous weather we have had lately, it’s good to see people out and about in nature’s environs and soaking up the sun.
One of the events of spring and summer I look forward to the most is watching the sun’s path take a northern route. For most of the winter, the Oquirrh Mountains on the west side of the Salt Lake Valley hide the sun early, and the end of the day as far as daylight goes is around 5 pm. Talk about depressing! But now, the date being March 14, the sun is just climbing over the northern end of the Oquirrhs and just shaving the smokestack just south of I-80.
The sky tonight looked as if it were on fire. I was driving up 9th South, and noticed in my rear view mirror that the collision of the sun’s rays and the clouds were painting a perfect Monet, with brilliant hues and shades of pink, orange, purple and fuchsia. In all reality, it was more of a 1050 South sunset, but the colors were almost perfect tonight, so I’m giving it an Honorable Mention. 9th South sunsets have always given me hope and wild anticipation for the upcoming spring season.
In about a week, the sun will be setting perfectly in alignment with 9th South. If you live in SLC, try and find yourself up by the East High baseball field or the old reliable, Donner Trail Park just above the zoo as the evening daylight begins to falter. Pray for cloud cover. The best sunsets involve cumulus and cirrus cloud formations.
Now, the real treat for all you sunset chasers is to climb to the “Living Room” up on Red Butte. It takes a good 45 minutes to get up there, but that is one sunset you will never forget. Just make sure to take flashlights for the way out. A friend of mine and I came down from that hike by ourselves one night, and she swore we were being stalked by a cougar. So go up in a group. The only other place I would suggest a better view is up near Mt Francis, just east of Farmington. My cousin Jeremy took me up there and it dang near took us 3 hours to get to the top. We camped in a saddle, and I will never forget the view. I believe Francis is around 10,000 feet, and we could see over Antelope Island on the Great Salt Lake and out to the Pilot Peak mountain range, just north of Wendover, NV. The sunset that night went on forever. And it was also the first time I ate Pork and Beans out of a can over the fire. Ahh, the memories from yesteryear brim with nostalgia.
So get off your duff in the evenings this spring and enjoy the sunsets as we count down into summer.
One of the events of spring and summer I look forward to the most is watching the sun’s path take a northern route. For most of the winter, the Oquirrh Mountains on the west side of the Salt Lake Valley hide the sun early, and the end of the day as far as daylight goes is around 5 pm. Talk about depressing! But now, the date being March 14, the sun is just climbing over the northern end of the Oquirrhs and just shaving the smokestack just south of I-80.
The sky tonight looked as if it were on fire. I was driving up 9th South, and noticed in my rear view mirror that the collision of the sun’s rays and the clouds were painting a perfect Monet, with brilliant hues and shades of pink, orange, purple and fuchsia. In all reality, it was more of a 1050 South sunset, but the colors were almost perfect tonight, so I’m giving it an Honorable Mention. 9th South sunsets have always given me hope and wild anticipation for the upcoming spring season.
In about a week, the sun will be setting perfectly in alignment with 9th South. If you live in SLC, try and find yourself up by the East High baseball field or the old reliable, Donner Trail Park just above the zoo as the evening daylight begins to falter. Pray for cloud cover. The best sunsets involve cumulus and cirrus cloud formations.
Now, the real treat for all you sunset chasers is to climb to the “Living Room” up on Red Butte. It takes a good 45 minutes to get up there, but that is one sunset you will never forget. Just make sure to take flashlights for the way out. A friend of mine and I came down from that hike by ourselves one night, and she swore we were being stalked by a cougar. So go up in a group. The only other place I would suggest a better view is up near Mt Francis, just east of Farmington. My cousin Jeremy took me up there and it dang near took us 3 hours to get to the top. We camped in a saddle, and I will never forget the view. I believe Francis is around 10,000 feet, and we could see over Antelope Island on the Great Salt Lake and out to the Pilot Peak mountain range, just north of Wendover, NV. The sunset that night went on forever. And it was also the first time I ate Pork and Beans out of a can over the fire. Ahh, the memories from yesteryear brim with nostalgia.
So get off your duff in the evenings this spring and enjoy the sunsets as we count down into summer.
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Scrubs
Not since the late 80’s and early 90’s have I enjoyed a sitcom so much. The last classic was the ever-hilarious “Wings”. I remember that D and I watched that show ALL THE TIME! I saw each episode about 4 or 5 times, and still to this day, if I can find an old VHS with “Wings” on it, I will watch and just laugh my head off.
Fast forward to now, February of 2007. I watch three other shows on television regularly. #1=Smallville. I’ve been at it for 6 seasons, so why would I stop now? Besides, it’s the mythology of SUPERMAN. And it’s a family affair. #2= HEROES. What a cool show! It’s kind of DNA mutation idea that parallels the X-Men series, but these writers are so darn creative I completely envy their storyboards and creative consultant jobs. I love it, it’s very creative and I find that I am so intrigued about how the story will unfold that it soon climbed past #3= LOST. I really think JJ Abrams needs to put down the crack pipe and decide what he wants to do with LOST. If it ends like ALIAS did, I will be sorely disappointed. I need some continuity here, Mr. Abrams. I think we ALL do.
Well, among these serious plots and 466 other channels boasting reality television, I find I need some comedy to give me a good laugh here and there. Well, I have found the pot o’ gold I have been searching for since the early 90’s once again.
Yes ladies and gentlemen, SCRUBS is one half hour of pure comedic delight. I can’t remember the last time I laughed so hard every time I watched a show. “Will and Grace” was pretty funny too, but SCRUBS takes the cake. Just thought I would give public homage to the humorous writing on television right now. I would love to be on the set for an episode, you can just tell they are having a blast. I’m just excited that there is always something to watch nowadays and when I’m in the mood for a good laugh.
Fast forward to now, February of 2007. I watch three other shows on television regularly. #1=Smallville. I’ve been at it for 6 seasons, so why would I stop now? Besides, it’s the mythology of SUPERMAN. And it’s a family affair. #2= HEROES. What a cool show! It’s kind of DNA mutation idea that parallels the X-Men series, but these writers are so darn creative I completely envy their storyboards and creative consultant jobs. I love it, it’s very creative and I find that I am so intrigued about how the story will unfold that it soon climbed past #3= LOST. I really think JJ Abrams needs to put down the crack pipe and decide what he wants to do with LOST. If it ends like ALIAS did, I will be sorely disappointed. I need some continuity here, Mr. Abrams. I think we ALL do.
Well, among these serious plots and 466 other channels boasting reality television, I find I need some comedy to give me a good laugh here and there. Well, I have found the pot o’ gold I have been searching for since the early 90’s once again.
Yes ladies and gentlemen, SCRUBS is one half hour of pure comedic delight. I can’t remember the last time I laughed so hard every time I watched a show. “Will and Grace” was pretty funny too, but SCRUBS takes the cake. Just thought I would give public homage to the humorous writing on television right now. I would love to be on the set for an episode, you can just tell they are having a blast. I’m just excited that there is always something to watch nowadays and when I’m in the mood for a good laugh.
Monday, February 19, 2007
Superbirds: Raptors of the Sky
While I was finishing my mission out in Colorado, I was assigned to the great metropolitan area of Rifle, Colorado for my last 4 months. The Rifle area consisted of a few towns: Silt, Antlers, Canyon Creek, Parachute, Buford, Garfield, New Castle and Grand Valley. I know what y’all are thinkin, it must be a HUGE city! ;)
So one week I was out with my comp, we traveled to Glenwood, where a favorite Elder of mine, Matt Sherrill transferred over from Boulder to Glenwood Springs, our neighboring area and the only other missionaries in our District. Sherrill and I were in Boulder with separate comps but the missionaries are the tightest in Boulder, since it’s such a weird and wild place, plus they lived two blocks away. So we made it a point to have a companion switch at least once or twice a week with these clowns. P-days were the best time to do these. I’d leave Charlie with another Elder and Sherrill and I would go wildlife watching in the mountains (bighorn sheep below Buford), (elk in the Harvey Gap range) and of course, huge spawning brown trout on the Colorado, Roaring Fork and Frying Pan rivers.
Just a quick side note: Sherrill even took me to the grave of Doc Holliday, of Tombstone gunwars and Wyatt Earp fame. The gravestone has his name on it, and always has a bottle of half empty Jack Daniels Tennessee Whiskey with a nipple on it. Each visitor inverts the bottle and squeezes a drop or two into the ground, so that Doc’s appetite for liquor never drowns out. Weird ritual, but everyone does it.
Well on one of these occasions, Sherrill started callin’ me “Eagle Eye”, because I’ve been blessed with good eyesight, and can usually spot an animal a long way off. This heightened sense helped me to spot a cheetah chase a gazelle in Africa. It helped me mark two great white sharks tailing a baby Humpback in Australia, and also to see sharks feeding on a dead turtle on Fraser Island, Queensland.
I told you THAT story to tell you THIS story, so this has a point, most indeedy. Last night, I was flipping through channels looking for something entertaining to watch. Sunday night in the fall always has a football game or something, but it’s the middle of winter now. I stopped on Channel 7, the local channel for Public Broadcasting System. Ever since I was a kid, “Nature” has been on for my viewing pleasure. Last night’s episode was about Raptors. No, not those monstrous devil lizards from Jurassic Park. More like raptors of the sky, meaning birds of prey. It was a well written program, and presented the information in a style that was familiar to me. The story began with the Legend of Icarus, and his desire to fly like a bird. It moved onto how eagles, vultures, hawks and owls fly, hover, manipulate and exploit the wind to increase their speed and energy while in flight. These birds caught on film, coupled with special effects from computers, instruct viewers on how these birds are able to pull off amazing feats of high-speed chases, detection through the elements, and how incredible their senses are.
I once listened to a hollow-minded and less educated teacher in junior high school tell me that animals do not see in color. I asked, “What about birds?” He told me that birds only have built-in telephoto lenses in their eyes, but couldn’t see in color. I knew, KNEW he was wrong. I was able to show him the facts on raptors with a few books from the school’s media library. I really hope he was watching last night’s program, too.
The American Kestrel sees ultraviolet light, and detects rodents through seeing their urine patches. Apparently, rodent urine gives off tremendous UV lights, and this makes it easy for raptors to find these creatures to prey on. The kestrel sees 350 more colors than the human eye can. The kestrel also has an amazing ability to hover in the air, resting comfortably on a current of hot air, also called a thermal. The uncanny trick, is that while his body is trying to stay aloft in the same place, his vision is perfect and unblurred. I have seen this MANY a time, and would suggest to you fine people to take a look and keep your eyes peeled to the sky for these birds, the smallest of the birds of prey.
This next bird is my favorite of all the owls: the Great Grey Owl.
Al and I were fishing the Lower section of the Tabiona ranch when we spotted two of these large strigidae. They were using a cavity of a tree trunk to house their nest. We spotted two babies, and two adults. Interestingly enough, these birds do NOT migrate, so if you like spotting owls, head to wooded areas where you can patiently wait and listen. These birds have extremely sensitive hearing and eyesight. They are also very quiet fliers.
The bateleur isn’t the most amazing eagle in the world, but the reason I am showcasing this bird is because of how beautiful it is to spot one in the wild. Their profile against a blue sky in the savanna of Kenya is truly an amazing sight! These small eagles, along with Marabou Storks, and mwewes (small African kites) frequent Nairobi, always looking for lizards, snakes and rodents. They keep things interesting in the city and slums.
The Lappet-faced vulture is a giant among other vultures. The Lappet’s size and wingspan makes other raptors look like sparrows. This vulture is found only in Africa. Hollywood has always made idiots of themselves when using vultures in film. They don’t use Turkey or Black vultures, but Hooded or Lappet-faced vultures. In fact, the vultures you see laughing on Splash Mountain as Disney World are carbon copies of the largest African vulture. The first picture is of a Lappet-faced. Beautiful birds in flight, ugly as Yoda up close. I have an amazing picture of a Lappet landing in a high tree, just above the Mara River in Western Kenya. 200 feet below it was a 14 foot Nile crocodile, and about 5 hippos.
This is an African vulture. I think these bad boys are the coolest looking birds in the world. They just have a mean looking face!
And when it comes to vultures, Africa wins. North America has the ugliest raptor in the world, the turkey vulture. When you see a large bird circling in the wind on a hot day, chances are that you will be seeing a turkey vulture. They usually hang out in groups as well, especially when there is a carcass around. Here is the ugly Turkey Vulture. No, I do not think they have a face a mother could love.
The fastest animal in the whole wide world, easily surpassing the sail fish and cheetah, is the Peregrine Falcon. My father and his twin brother found a P falcon when they were young. They found it in Fairmont Park, in SLC. They named it Odin, of Norse mythology. They kept it in the white coop in Grandpa Wright’s backyard, I think. How lucky my dad was to find such a beautiful creature.
The Peregrine can dive up to speeds past 200 mph in pursuit of game birds such as sage grouse, ducks, doves and whatever else it wants to chase. John and I saw a peregrine chasing a Mourning dove in City Creek canyon, not 20 feet between us in the river corridor. I’ve seen the peregrines downtown in SLC chasing the pigeons all over the place. Side note: the peregrines have nests on the buildings in Temple Square, and all the pigeons live on the Cathedral of the Madeline. That’s a metaphor for the Mormon falcons being the top dogs and regulators of SLC over the Catholic pigeons. Ha ha ha. Nature is funny, isn’t it? ;)
If you are ever in downtown SLC and have some time to kill, look up in the sky and try and pick out one of these small falcons. They are amazing fliers and they just sizzle through the sky as they drop, maneuver and twist through the different buildings in search of slower birds.
Birds of prey are protected in the United States. Please don’t kill them. If you get caught, you will spend 5-20 years in Federal Prison for doing so. Take advantage of a drive down a dusty road and look for birds on fenceposts, telephone poles, tree branches, telephone lines and other high structures. I keep a pair of binoculars with me at all times in the car when I am in rural, desert or mountain areas. I am humbled to have earned the nickname "Eagle Eyes" from my friend. I love driving through certain parts of the country, specifically past Strawberry Reservoir to watch Bald Eagles and Ospreys pick off trout in the water. I love the Golden Eagles just above the U of U on the East bench of SLC. Star Valley, Wyoming has more raptors than any other area I have been to in the West. There are Golden eagles, hawks, owls and falcons all over the place in Wyoming. I especially love the raptors of Africa too. The bateleur, African Fish Eagle and Tawny Eagle. Someday, I wish to see the great Harpy Eagle as well. The Steller's sea-eagle is what the Seattle Seahawks are named after, and they are so cool looking. I will never stop looking for these birds. They are the greatest of all animals I believe.
We have a great opportunity to learn from these birds as we watch their majestic bodies and wings fly over the Earth, and create jealousy in our minds and souls as we too wish what Icarus wanted the most in life: to fly.
So one week I was out with my comp, we traveled to Glenwood, where a favorite Elder of mine, Matt Sherrill transferred over from Boulder to Glenwood Springs, our neighboring area and the only other missionaries in our District. Sherrill and I were in Boulder with separate comps but the missionaries are the tightest in Boulder, since it’s such a weird and wild place, plus they lived two blocks away. So we made it a point to have a companion switch at least once or twice a week with these clowns. P-days were the best time to do these. I’d leave Charlie with another Elder and Sherrill and I would go wildlife watching in the mountains (bighorn sheep below Buford), (elk in the Harvey Gap range) and of course, huge spawning brown trout on the Colorado, Roaring Fork and Frying Pan rivers.
Just a quick side note: Sherrill even took me to the grave of Doc Holliday, of Tombstone gunwars and Wyatt Earp fame. The gravestone has his name on it, and always has a bottle of half empty Jack Daniels Tennessee Whiskey with a nipple on it. Each visitor inverts the bottle and squeezes a drop or two into the ground, so that Doc’s appetite for liquor never drowns out. Weird ritual, but everyone does it.
Well on one of these occasions, Sherrill started callin’ me “Eagle Eye”, because I’ve been blessed with good eyesight, and can usually spot an animal a long way off. This heightened sense helped me to spot a cheetah chase a gazelle in Africa. It helped me mark two great white sharks tailing a baby Humpback in Australia, and also to see sharks feeding on a dead turtle on Fraser Island, Queensland.
I told you THAT story to tell you THIS story, so this has a point, most indeedy. Last night, I was flipping through channels looking for something entertaining to watch. Sunday night in the fall always has a football game or something, but it’s the middle of winter now. I stopped on Channel 7, the local channel for Public Broadcasting System. Ever since I was a kid, “Nature” has been on for my viewing pleasure. Last night’s episode was about Raptors. No, not those monstrous devil lizards from Jurassic Park. More like raptors of the sky, meaning birds of prey. It was a well written program, and presented the information in a style that was familiar to me. The story began with the Legend of Icarus, and his desire to fly like a bird. It moved onto how eagles, vultures, hawks and owls fly, hover, manipulate and exploit the wind to increase their speed and energy while in flight. These birds caught on film, coupled with special effects from computers, instruct viewers on how these birds are able to pull off amazing feats of high-speed chases, detection through the elements, and how incredible their senses are.
I once listened to a hollow-minded and less educated teacher in junior high school tell me that animals do not see in color. I asked, “What about birds?” He told me that birds only have built-in telephoto lenses in their eyes, but couldn’t see in color. I knew, KNEW he was wrong. I was able to show him the facts on raptors with a few books from the school’s media library. I really hope he was watching last night’s program, too.
The American Kestrel sees ultraviolet light, and detects rodents through seeing their urine patches. Apparently, rodent urine gives off tremendous UV lights, and this makes it easy for raptors to find these creatures to prey on. The kestrel sees 350 more colors than the human eye can. The kestrel also has an amazing ability to hover in the air, resting comfortably on a current of hot air, also called a thermal. The uncanny trick, is that while his body is trying to stay aloft in the same place, his vision is perfect and unblurred. I have seen this MANY a time, and would suggest to you fine people to take a look and keep your eyes peeled to the sky for these birds, the smallest of the birds of prey.
This next bird is my favorite of all the owls: the Great Grey Owl.
Al and I were fishing the Lower section of the Tabiona ranch when we spotted two of these large strigidae. They were using a cavity of a tree trunk to house their nest. We spotted two babies, and two adults. Interestingly enough, these birds do NOT migrate, so if you like spotting owls, head to wooded areas where you can patiently wait and listen. These birds have extremely sensitive hearing and eyesight. They are also very quiet fliers.
The bateleur isn’t the most amazing eagle in the world, but the reason I am showcasing this bird is because of how beautiful it is to spot one in the wild. Their profile against a blue sky in the savanna of Kenya is truly an amazing sight! These small eagles, along with Marabou Storks, and mwewes (small African kites) frequent Nairobi, always looking for lizards, snakes and rodents. They keep things interesting in the city and slums.
The Lappet-faced vulture is a giant among other vultures. The Lappet’s size and wingspan makes other raptors look like sparrows. This vulture is found only in Africa. Hollywood has always made idiots of themselves when using vultures in film. They don’t use Turkey or Black vultures, but Hooded or Lappet-faced vultures. In fact, the vultures you see laughing on Splash Mountain as Disney World are carbon copies of the largest African vulture. The first picture is of a Lappet-faced. Beautiful birds in flight, ugly as Yoda up close. I have an amazing picture of a Lappet landing in a high tree, just above the Mara River in Western Kenya. 200 feet below it was a 14 foot Nile crocodile, and about 5 hippos.
This is an African vulture. I think these bad boys are the coolest looking birds in the world. They just have a mean looking face!
And when it comes to vultures, Africa wins. North America has the ugliest raptor in the world, the turkey vulture. When you see a large bird circling in the wind on a hot day, chances are that you will be seeing a turkey vulture. They usually hang out in groups as well, especially when there is a carcass around. Here is the ugly Turkey Vulture. No, I do not think they have a face a mother could love.
The fastest animal in the whole wide world, easily surpassing the sail fish and cheetah, is the Peregrine Falcon. My father and his twin brother found a P falcon when they were young. They found it in Fairmont Park, in SLC. They named it Odin, of Norse mythology. They kept it in the white coop in Grandpa Wright’s backyard, I think. How lucky my dad was to find such a beautiful creature.
The Peregrine can dive up to speeds past 200 mph in pursuit of game birds such as sage grouse, ducks, doves and whatever else it wants to chase. John and I saw a peregrine chasing a Mourning dove in City Creek canyon, not 20 feet between us in the river corridor. I’ve seen the peregrines downtown in SLC chasing the pigeons all over the place. Side note: the peregrines have nests on the buildings in Temple Square, and all the pigeons live on the Cathedral of the Madeline. That’s a metaphor for the Mormon falcons being the top dogs and regulators of SLC over the Catholic pigeons. Ha ha ha. Nature is funny, isn’t it? ;)
If you are ever in downtown SLC and have some time to kill, look up in the sky and try and pick out one of these small falcons. They are amazing fliers and they just sizzle through the sky as they drop, maneuver and twist through the different buildings in search of slower birds.
Birds of prey are protected in the United States. Please don’t kill them. If you get caught, you will spend 5-20 years in Federal Prison for doing so. Take advantage of a drive down a dusty road and look for birds on fenceposts, telephone poles, tree branches, telephone lines and other high structures. I keep a pair of binoculars with me at all times in the car when I am in rural, desert or mountain areas. I am humbled to have earned the nickname "Eagle Eyes" from my friend. I love driving through certain parts of the country, specifically past Strawberry Reservoir to watch Bald Eagles and Ospreys pick off trout in the water. I love the Golden Eagles just above the U of U on the East bench of SLC. Star Valley, Wyoming has more raptors than any other area I have been to in the West. There are Golden eagles, hawks, owls and falcons all over the place in Wyoming. I especially love the raptors of Africa too. The bateleur, African Fish Eagle and Tawny Eagle. Someday, I wish to see the great Harpy Eagle as well. The Steller's sea-eagle is what the Seattle Seahawks are named after, and they are so cool looking. I will never stop looking for these birds. They are the greatest of all animals I believe.
We have a great opportunity to learn from these birds as we watch their majestic bodies and wings fly over the Earth, and create jealousy in our minds and souls as we too wish what Icarus wanted the most in life: to fly.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Elephants v. Donkeys
Random thought: Why did the Democrats pick a DONKEY to represent them? I guess the creative minds weren't coming together on that idea...
With the way everything in politics is developing lately, I should say it will be a VERY interesting campaign.
I truly hope more people show up at the polls. It’s very frustrating that we live in a country where people are allowed to vote for their leaders and our overall percentage of voters is less than half of those who CAN vote.
Most interesting to me will be the banter between McCain and Romney. Not 24 hours after Romney announced his candidacy did McCain jump all over him for switching on issues. That’s interesting. John McCain said that. And he’s NEVER switched issues. Or would that be switching political parties?
Everyone put on your raincoats and fire up the popcorn. I’m sure we are in for a treat with all the mudslinging that will happen between now and Nov of 2008.
Monday, February 5, 2007
The moment I know you have all waited for...
Every year, I make a list of the Top 5-10 songs that have contributed to my life in a great and positive way. These songs have the ability to inspire me, push me or just take me to an alternative universe for five minutes.
The Top 10 for 2006 are:
1) It’s a TIE! Two songs have lifted me the most: Adagio For Strings; Love Comes Again by DJ Tiesto
Seriously, y’all, this DJ from Holland is so amazing, he constantly sells out concerts to crowds of 50-200,000 people. I would like to hear him live someday. I know, it’s Psychedelic Trance, and if you don’t get it, then you just don’t get it! Americans usually don’t jive with trance or techno, it’s TOO simple for them. Not me, I LOVE it! In my humble opinion, it’s the most amazing music made. Tiesto is great at creating a fusion with classical music and amazing percolating drums and electronic sounds.
2) Don’t Stop by ATB
No song is simpler than about ATB’s second all-time hit. It spans 5 different chords throughout this song, but it’s just so HAPPY. What you have to understand is that I used to drive to the desert/Zion/Moab with my friend Mark, and we would just put this stuff on and listen intently what the music and rhythm was trying to tell us. It’s insanely GREAT music to drive to. A good bass system is an absolute essential when listening to trance.
3) Welcome to the Black Parade by My Chemical Romance
These guys remind me of Queen. The lead singer has a great range, and he also reminds me of the lead singer of Blink 182, but less of a whiner.
Any time a song can change the overall direction and begin anew in the middle of the song, you know the composer has OBVIOUSLY studied the sounds of Rush and Chicago. I look forward to more of MCR in the future.
4) Nothing But You by Hemstock and Jennings; Paul Van Dyk
Back when I was at SLCC, I would bolt to the library between classes and watch Yahoo’s videos that they had on their launch player. The video is pretty silly, but this song just RADIATES energy and happiness. There are no words in this song, but a female’s voice reverberates through the whole song and she is just singing LA-LA-LA style. It’s gorgeous! Apparently she is singing in some Scandinavian language, but not unlike Lisa Gerrard, it doesn’t matter WHAT she is singing about, it’s the beauty of the voice in the song.
Paul Van Dyk
5) I Love You by Sarah McLachlan
I have owned the “Surfacing” CD by SM for quite a while, but I guess I was just touched by Track #2 on this CD. It’s a touching song. She has a soothing sound, so she’s tough to pass up.
6) Hysteria by Muse
D-Rock introduced me to this cool band as we took a Sunday drive in the Jeep and we went over to Porterville and Big Mountain. Hysteria is an adrenaline rush of a song. When it comes to a good bass guitar, only John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin takes the cake. However, Muse’ bass guitarist has some AWESOME riffs throughout the whole “Absolution” album. These guys have a great sound, and it makes me want more.
7) Attention Deficit Disorder by DJ DSD
This is about the silliest song ever created. I picked it up from a friend who just spent the last few years in Japan. He bought the CD at a Trance party in Tokyo, and I cannot find the author since I cannot speak Japanese. It’s totally A.D.D., but it sports a tantalizing beat that I can’t resist bouncing to.
8) Would You Go With Me by Josh Turner
I would never downplay the talent of Pete Townsend (The Who), the genius orgasmic vocal talent of Robert Plant (Led Zeppelin), or the shrieking cries of Geddy Lee (Rush), but sometimes all I need is a song that boasts a baritone or bass voice. Josh Turner (as D-Rock has blogged about before) has an awesome voice, and is incredibly deep. I read that he can hit 5 notes below me as clear as a bell. That is DEEP! I’m not generally a country fan, but every once in a while, I’m swept off my feet by a great song. I know the ladies love this guy, and his music is actually pretty decent.
9) The 1812 Overture (assisted with the explosions in V for Vendetta) This movie would NOT have been the same without the 1812 Overture by our man Pytor Tschaikovksy. This is definitely an amazing movie, and I was officially moved to tears at the end when the coordinated efforts of this song is fused into the…well, you will just have to see it for yourself!
10) Mars and Venus by the Brunettes
Has anyone else picked up this CD? I received a mix CD from my friend Jamie Sanders, and among other great lesser known bands such as the Magnetic Fields, Brendan Benson, Old and the Way, there lies a song by the Brunettes. I don’t know much about this guy/girl duo, but they have some FUN songs. It’s almost a throwback to the 50’s style with their songs, but they are creative and catchy.
A great place to listen to new songs and songs like this is either at iTunes,
www.pandora.com, or use the Guide in your Windows Media Player.
Tune in next year for the Top 10. Who knows where our different strains of musical taste will lead all of us? That is one adventure I am always willing to go on…you just never know.
The Top 10 for 2006 are:
1) It’s a TIE! Two songs have lifted me the most: Adagio For Strings; Love Comes Again by DJ Tiesto
Seriously, y’all, this DJ from Holland is so amazing, he constantly sells out concerts to crowds of 50-200,000 people. I would like to hear him live someday. I know, it’s Psychedelic Trance, and if you don’t get it, then you just don’t get it! Americans usually don’t jive with trance or techno, it’s TOO simple for them. Not me, I LOVE it! In my humble opinion, it’s the most amazing music made. Tiesto is great at creating a fusion with classical music and amazing percolating drums and electronic sounds.
2) Don’t Stop by ATB
No song is simpler than about ATB’s second all-time hit. It spans 5 different chords throughout this song, but it’s just so HAPPY. What you have to understand is that I used to drive to the desert/Zion/Moab with my friend Mark, and we would just put this stuff on and listen intently what the music and rhythm was trying to tell us. It’s insanely GREAT music to drive to. A good bass system is an absolute essential when listening to trance.
3) Welcome to the Black Parade by My Chemical Romance
These guys remind me of Queen. The lead singer has a great range, and he also reminds me of the lead singer of Blink 182, but less of a whiner.
Any time a song can change the overall direction and begin anew in the middle of the song, you know the composer has OBVIOUSLY studied the sounds of Rush and Chicago. I look forward to more of MCR in the future.
4) Nothing But You by Hemstock and Jennings; Paul Van Dyk
Back when I was at SLCC, I would bolt to the library between classes and watch Yahoo’s videos that they had on their launch player. The video is pretty silly, but this song just RADIATES energy and happiness. There are no words in this song, but a female’s voice reverberates through the whole song and she is just singing LA-LA-LA style. It’s gorgeous! Apparently she is singing in some Scandinavian language, but not unlike Lisa Gerrard, it doesn’t matter WHAT she is singing about, it’s the beauty of the voice in the song.
Paul Van Dyk
5) I Love You by Sarah McLachlan
I have owned the “Surfacing” CD by SM for quite a while, but I guess I was just touched by Track #2 on this CD. It’s a touching song. She has a soothing sound, so she’s tough to pass up.
6) Hysteria by Muse
D-Rock introduced me to this cool band as we took a Sunday drive in the Jeep and we went over to Porterville and Big Mountain. Hysteria is an adrenaline rush of a song. When it comes to a good bass guitar, only John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin takes the cake. However, Muse’ bass guitarist has some AWESOME riffs throughout the whole “Absolution” album. These guys have a great sound, and it makes me want more.
7) Attention Deficit Disorder by DJ DSD
This is about the silliest song ever created. I picked it up from a friend who just spent the last few years in Japan. He bought the CD at a Trance party in Tokyo, and I cannot find the author since I cannot speak Japanese. It’s totally A.D.D., but it sports a tantalizing beat that I can’t resist bouncing to.
8) Would You Go With Me by Josh Turner
I would never downplay the talent of Pete Townsend (The Who), the genius orgasmic vocal talent of Robert Plant (Led Zeppelin), or the shrieking cries of Geddy Lee (Rush), but sometimes all I need is a song that boasts a baritone or bass voice. Josh Turner (as D-Rock has blogged about before) has an awesome voice, and is incredibly deep. I read that he can hit 5 notes below me as clear as a bell. That is DEEP! I’m not generally a country fan, but every once in a while, I’m swept off my feet by a great song. I know the ladies love this guy, and his music is actually pretty decent.
9) The 1812 Overture (assisted with the explosions in V for Vendetta) This movie would NOT have been the same without the 1812 Overture by our man Pytor Tschaikovksy. This is definitely an amazing movie, and I was officially moved to tears at the end when the coordinated efforts of this song is fused into the…well, you will just have to see it for yourself!
10) Mars and Venus by the Brunettes
Has anyone else picked up this CD? I received a mix CD from my friend Jamie Sanders, and among other great lesser known bands such as the Magnetic Fields, Brendan Benson, Old and the Way, there lies a song by the Brunettes. I don’t know much about this guy/girl duo, but they have some FUN songs. It’s almost a throwback to the 50’s style with their songs, but they are creative and catchy.
A great place to listen to new songs and songs like this is either at iTunes,
www.pandora.com, or use the Guide in your Windows Media Player.
Tune in next year for the Top 10. Who knows where our different strains of musical taste will lead all of us? That is one adventure I am always willing to go on…you just never know.
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