Monday, February 26, 2007

News from the Front....

So I saw my first near sandstorm in OK the other day. Turns out the Jetstream was extremely low and the sand from NM blew over Texas to Ok and then to Ga. Just like Egypt. Weird.
But I was out in the field like everyday when I have an extreme movement and have to deal. Luckily most of the area is woods so I am free to be wherever. And if you are still wondering, this is what I do... Hazard Mapping for Seismic Exploration. I ride a Quad with GPS and talk to cool and firendly people (so far) and play with thier dogs. One guy offered me his puppies (damn, wiemariener? and lab mix!!!).


And so I begin again tomorrow....

Friday, February 23, 2007

Its Hot in Oklahoma....

So the dust has begun and the twisters are on their way, as of 6:00 this evening. But meanwhile I saw this and had to pass it on bc I pretty much lost my shit when I saw it.

Enjoy


Saturday, February 17, 2007

OK

I cant say much more than Okla. is not OK. The shittiest motel Ive ever seen, three days of driving, broken gas card, the strange anomaly of free beer in the lobby? and so much much more.... But the entire state is designed for dirtbiking. So if anyone wants one I can test ride it here and bing it back, so thats good. That and I feel like a giant ass here, being fairly more intelligent and lazy than anyone here.

On the super up note, Dustin introduced me to my favorite band that Ive never heard before: The Frames. Complete Amazement. In fact I kinda listened to it nonstop the whole way down. Did I mention the shittiest motel on earth has free beer....? And Im not in the office, how sweet is that!!
If you want some Frames I can post it on Rapidshare or something.... all good.

I love you all, I just feel inspired to say that all my friends and family are the reason I can exist in this weird world.

Friday, February 09, 2007

Smith Mine in the Rime....

So I had the chance to run out to the mine and take some photos without a tripod in the worst light available. It was really cool and freaky. Everywhere I went there was a set of foot prints just ahead of mine. And the leftovers were amazing.


So Smith Mine #4 was apparently the worst disaster in MT. And full of rime with a crazy grey background.

There had been a lot of looting already and I was actually keeping an eye out fer a wood stove or something. It 'was' there but was gone now. I imagine the rust and wood would look fantastic in a morning light.

I kept thinking that I was gonna find an arm or a leg sticking out of a pile of rubble. A fresh one too. But there were no appendages by the boilers. If I had something that I had forgotten it would be a. a friend, b. a handgun....

The parts room was fantastic. I hope Im around for the summer to do some proper exploration. ...

Texas Chilli Taster....

This is a long lost joke that Karla found backlogged on her compy. I had been asking about it for months to friends and family. I finally have it. I can now continue sleeping.

------__------

Judge #3 was an inexperienced Chili taster named Frank who was visiting
from Springfield IL .

Frank: "Recently, I was honored to be selected as a judge at a chili
cook-off. The original person called in sick at the last moment, and I just
happened to be standing there at the judge's table asking for directions to
the Coors Light truck when the call came in. I was assured by the other two
judges (Native Texans) that the chili wouldn't be all that spicy. Besides,
they told me I could have free beer during the tasting, so I accepted and
became Judge #3."


Here are the scorecard notes from the event:
CHILI # 1 - MIKE'S MANIAC MONSTER CHILI

Judge # 1 -- A little too heavy on the tomato. Amusing kick.

Judge # 2 -- Nice, smooth tomato flavor. Very mild.

Judge # 3 (Frank) -- Holy crap, what the hell is this stuff? You could
remove dried paint from your driveway. Took me two beers to put the flames
out. I hope that's the worst one. These Texans are crazy.

CHILI # 2 - AUSTIN 'S AFTERBURNER CHILI

Judge # 1 -- Smoky, with a hint of pork. Slight jalapeno tang.

Judge # 2 -- Exciting BBQ flavor, needs more peppers to be taken
seriously.

Judge # 3 -- Keep this out of the reach of children. I'm not sure what I'm
supposed to taste besides pain. I had to wave off two people who wanted to
give me the Heimlich maneuver. They had to rush in more beer when they saw
the look on my face.

CHILI # 3 - FRED'S FAMOUS BURN DOWN THE BARN CHILI

Judge # 1 -- Excellent firehouse chili. Great kick.

Judge # 2 -- A bit salty, good use of peppers.

Judge # 3 -- Call the EPA. I've located a uranium spill. My nose feels like
I have been snorting Drano. Everyone knows the routine by now. Get me more
beer before I ignite. Barmaid pounded me on the back, now my backbone is in
the front part of my chest. I'm getting crap-faced from all of the beer.

CHILI # 4 - BUBBA'S BLACK MAGIC

Judge # 1 -- Black bean chili with almost no spice. Disappointing.

Judge # 2 -- Hint of lime in the black beans. Good side dish for fish or
other mild foods, not much of a chili.

Judge # 3 -- I felt something scraping across my tongue, but was unable to
taste it. Is it possible to burn out taste buds? Sally, the beer maid, was
standing behind me with fresh refills. This 300 lb. woman is starting to
look HOT ... just like this nuclear waste I'm eating! Is chili an
aphrodisiac?

CHILI # 5 - LISA'S LEGAL LIP REMOVER

Judge # 1 -- Meaty, strong chili. Cayenne peppers freshly ground, adding
considerable kick. Very impressive.

Judge # 2 -- Chili using shredded beef, could use more tomato. Must admit
the cayenne peppers make a strong statement.

Judge # 3 -- My ears are ringing, sweat is pouring off my forehead and I can
no longer focus my eyes. I farted, and four people behind me needed
paramedics. The contestant seemed offended when I told her that her chili
had given me brain damage. Sally saved my tongue from bleeding by pouring
beer directly on it from the pitcher. I wonder if I'm burning my lips off.
It really ticks me off that the other judges asked me to stop screaming.
Screw them.

CHILI # 6 - VERA'S VERY VEGETARIAN VARIETY

Judge # 1 -- Thin yet bold vegetarian variety chili. Good balance of spices
and peppers.

Judge # 2 -- The best yet. Aggressive use of peppers, onions, garlic.
Superb.

Judge # 3 -- My intestines are now a straight pipe filled with gaseous,
sulfuric flames. I crapped on myself when I farted, and I'm worried it will
eat through the chair. No one seems inclined to stand behind me except that
Sally. Can't feel my lips anymore. I need to wipe my butt with a snow cone.

CHILI # 7 - SUSAN'S SCREAMING SENSATION CHILI

Judge # 1 -- A mediocre chili with too much reliance on canned peppers.

Judge # 2 -- Ho hum, tastes as if the chef literally threw in a can of chili
peppers at the last moment. **I should note that I am worried about Judge
#3. He appears to be in a bit of distress as he is cursing uncontrollably.

Judge # 3 -- You could put a grenade in my mouth, pull the pin, and I
wouldn't feel a thing. I've lost sight in one eye, and the world sounds like
it is made of rushing water. My shirt is covered with chili, which slid
unnoticed out of my mouth. My pants are full of lava to match my shirt. At
least during the autopsy, they'll know what killed me. I've decided to stop
breathing - it's too painful. Screw it; I'm not getting any oxygen anyway.
If I need air, I'll just suck it in through the 4-inch hole in my stomach.

CHILI # 8 - BIG TOM'S TOENAIL CURLING CHILI

Judge # 1 -- The perfect ending, this is a nice blend chili. Not too bold
but spicy enough to declare its existence.

Judge # 2 -- This final entry is a good, balanced chili. Neither mild nor
hot. Sorry to see that most of it was lost when Judge #3 farted, passed out,
fell over and pulled the chili pot down on top of himself. Not sure if he's
going to make it. Poor feller, wonder how he'd have reacted to really hot
chili?

Judge # 3 - No Report