Worst idea of the week

This seems like a brilliant plan to help bring peace and stability to the middle east...

I Need Music Recommendations

So this may come as a surprise to some of you, but I don't currently listen to a lot of music and have very little in the way of music preferences. Ever since I gave up on "pop" Christianity in high school, I have been adrift in regards to my music tastes. Primarily I just listen to whatever is on the radio, and it really doesn't matter what station (I know, I know, this is sacrilege!).

My therapist has prescribed that I learn what music I like and start listening to it regularly. Supposedly this will help me access my emotions (do I have to have them?). So I am on a quest to discover my music tastes.

What I know: I like meaningful lyrics, good instrumental or vocals, and in light of my therapists directive, something that has emotive elements (not that every song has to make you cry or anything). Spiritual is okay if it is VERY subtle. Your task is to give me suggestions that I can investigate via my new i-Tunes account. I am open to trying pretty much anything, although I may decide it is not for me.

Thanks in advance for your help.

More Kieran Dancing

Here is Kieran dancing at Brian and Trisha's wedding.

Beagle Mania

This morning on a Starbucks run Kieran and Daddy saw two beautiful beagles running along the Bull Run battlefield. As loosing a dog to traffic is near and dear to our hearts right now, we stopped and picked up the little guys. They are both females and do not have tags. We have submitted a found dog report with both the police and the shelter. For now we are enjoying our new friends, they love to play!

Update-The beagles have now gone home to their owner. They had strayed about .25 miles from their home. I am really glad they were returned safely, and we sure enjoyed their playful visit!

Eggs a Plenty

Last night we collected our first eggs from our 12 hens, a total of 8! The cooler temperatures have triggered them to start laying, woohoo! Now if only we can figure out how to keep the county from finding out we still have them! I am thinking an underground cellar like what the Marijuana growers use, our illicit hens!

Rooster Dinner

Our temporally challenged Rooster (he crowed all day long) became a lovely crockpot dinner this past weekend. After 24 hours of simmering on low, it was a sumptuous feast! Ah, the evenings are peaceful now, only the shrill scream of a neglected cockatiel to disturb the quiet solitude (can you say shish kabob?)

Dogfish Head

Maranda and I occassionally sample a new brew in an effort to expand our growing knowledge and appreciation of beer. This week it payed off big with a fantastic discovery of Dogfish Head's Raison D'Etre. One of the most complex, interesting, and tasty beers I have ever had, this wondferful concoction is a very dark ale, loaded with flavors of molasses and plums. I noticed on the box that this beer was voted American beer of the year in 2000, clearly for good reason!!

For you seasoned specialty beer consumers, this is probably old hat and well known to you. For those like myself who are still discovering the tasty variations of the darker brews, check this one out at your local beer speciality store!

Week From Hell

Last week was not a good week.

1. My dog Vic died, he escaped due to my negligence and was struck by a car.
2. I poured a cup of coffee on a 10K sound board at our church.
3. My company performed 10% layoffs severly affecting the work atmosphere. I came within a hairs breadth of quitting.
4. I was found in violation of property zoning laws and will have to get rid of my chickens (a neighbor reported us).
5. I was faced with some very serious problems in an important relationship.
6. I was told by my grad school professor that I needed to catch up or drop out.
7. And worst of all, I dropped an almost full Beer in my bathroom, shattering the bottle and wasting the beautiful Dos Equis Amber Ale (technically this happened last night, so it doesn't count...)

The Best Dog I Have Ever Owned

We buried Vic this morning. He escaped our yard over the weekend and was killed by a car on Sunday. We only found out for certain last night and rescued his body. Vic was a very intelligent and sensitive dog, he will be missed for a very long time.


In Vic's Memory

Native American Dance

On our way back from lunch with our friends Mike and Shawn & Sara, Kieran and I spotted a drum circle, so of course we had to attend! It was fun watching the native american dances. Our favorite was the men's hunting dance which I recorded on my cell phone. Watch the men sneaking up on their prey, then rejoicing at their success. Really, really enjoyable for Kieran and I.

07.07.07

Maranda, some friends, and I attended the kick-off for Live Earth 2007. We didn't get in to the actual event so had to watch screen from the side of the platform. The event is intended to raise global awareness and commitment to reducing global warming pollution. Attendees were asked to sign a 7 point pledge. Here is a shot of the capitol and Al gore on the stage (he was about 150 feet to our left out of sight. To add your name to the pledge, click HERE.

Paul Potts - Semi-Final song

I just can't get enough of this story! Sorry if this is old news for some of you, but I thought I would post Paul's semi-final song between the two original clips below (see yesterday's post for new clip).

Paul Potts - An Inspiring Story

If you have 10 free minutes and want to experience a story that will literally raise the hair on the back of your neck and bring tears to your eyes, watch the following two clips from the "Britains Got Talent" show. In a day when good stories are hard to come by, this one is a gem.

Be sure to watch this clip first.



Second video - Paul's semi-finals song


Watch this clip last


He Won!

A few good pics

For those who aren't inclined to browse the flicker link in the previous post, here are some of my favorite shots from our trip out West.

Kissing a pretty redhead at some falls south of Bend, Oregon.


Top of Weaver Bally mountain (my old hometown is in the background)


Kieran on a rock


Kieran and Mommy share a moment on the way down from Weaver Bally summit.


Kieran is both fishing and enjoying the landscape.

Trip to Oregon and California

Here are some pics from our our visit to my old home town in Northern California and also our camping trip in Southern Oregon near Bend.

For friends and relatives of the Schmitt family, check out the wedding pics of Brian (Maranda's brother) and Trisha's wedding.