MY SITE HAS MOVED!!

I have officially come back from the dead and have built a new site!

Check it out at -

www.thingsthatnerdsdo.com

Do the Mario!

Come on! Come on! Let's Go! Do The Mario!

Ninjas have other skills too

Sometimes after a hard day of being stealthy and killing people. Ninjas have to wind down too. What a better way to relieve stress than to knit your victim a nice sweater they can wear at their own funeral.

MMA&C T-Shirt ($17)

Annual Frog Release

For the last seven years in Salem I have been able to participate in the Annual Frog/Toad Release. It's where, each week during the summer I check my windows wells and find Frogs or Toads that have mysteriously made there way down into them and get them out and release them back into the pond nearby.


Usually I only find one, but this year I found two! They were found in window wells on opposite sides of the house. One looked at little skinny, but they were both big ones.

I was hoping to leave them on my parents front porch as a gift, but I was worried they would escape before they arrived home from their night out on the town.

Maybe next time...

Mo's Bacon Bar - Chocolate and Bacon together at last!

Not too long ago I was hoping that someone would take the two greatest flavors on earth and combine them into one uber-tastey snack and lo-and-behold, someone did just that. Chocolate with Applewood smoked Bacon. mmmmm

It tastes like you eat a hand full of M&Ms then throw in some Bacon bits. It's almost like a Crunch Bar, but instead of puffs you get bacon chunks.

The best part is after you are done eating a piece of it and all of the chocolate has dissolved you still get a bacon bit or two emerging from crevasses in your teeth. It's like having dessert twice!

These are pricey though, they sell around $6 a bar, but it's worth it for the experience.

Spicy Maya

A few days ago while on vacation I came across this yummy chocolate bar. I am a sucker of anything spicy and hot and when I saw that this chocolate bar had Cayenne Pepper in it. I just had to have a taste. Unfortunately it wasn't hot or spicy at all. It tasted like it had Cinnamon in it instead. My wife didn't like the initial taste of it, but she said the after taste was good.

I guess the Maya made chocolate with Cayenne.

Coming off hiatus

Sorry for the lack of posts the last month.I have been very busy with work and waiting in line for the Iphone 3g. I ended up spending 10 hours in line on launch day to get my my new Iphone. I just jailbroke my phone and I waiting for apps to be released for the new Iphone OS.

Anyway, expect more posts. I am still waiting for Google to release a blogspot app for the Iphone. I may be switching to Wordpress if nothing is announced soon.

Dance Off with the Star Wars Stars 2008

This video is 5 minutes long. You'll get the idea if you watch maybe the first group, but then fast forward to about 3 minutes.

Advanced Open Water Diver

Last Saturday I completed my dives for my Advanced Open Water Diver Certification. I had to complete five dives in different areas of diving. I completed a Night Dive, a Deep Dive (a dive deeper than 60'), an Altitude Dive, a Wreck Dive and I completed a dive where I had to use underwater navigation using a compass.

The skills I learned helped me with my dive tonight in Salem Pond. The pond is only about 12-15' deep but the visibility was about 6 inches or less, unless you were at the very bottom where the visibility was 4'. My brother and I plotted a course to swim to the other side of the pond using our compasses. Once under the water I just focused on keeping my course, but sometime I would veer off a little because the visibility was so bad that I couldn't see my compass even if it was 2 inches in front of my mask.

Even though I didn't see anything except my compass the whole dive it was a dive none the less. Any dive is better than not diving at all.

Firefox 3 - Best Browser EVER!

If you haven't been using Firefox as your means to view the internet then I suggest you think again. Firefox 3 will take surfing the internet to a whole new level. It loads pages much faster than any browser. You'll think that your have a faster internet connection.

Firefox has also improved plugins that enhance the experience. Adblocker, Piclens, Download Helper, Nintendo games, etc..

Check it out www.firefox.com

Nintendo Wall Decals for the total Nerd.

Total nerds like me dream of they day when they can have a nerd room to themselves where they can store their magical items of Nerdiness, (I have a +3 Ham radio of communication), as well as have a place for their classic video game/arcade collection. What better way to decorate the Fortress of Nerditude, then with stick on wall decals to make you room appear like a level from Super Mario Bros, New Super Mario Bros, or Donkey Kong.

I am concerned though that these decals might clash with the disco floor and stripper pole that I also plan on having in my nerd lair. NAH!

Nintendo Wall Decals ($75)

The best holster doesn't carry a gun!

It carries a Coke! My sister-in-law picked this up for me during her last trip to Mexico. It has a snap to secure it to your belt and a strap on the bottom to tie it against your leg. Unfortunately the strap is too small for my monster thighs, but it just as well without it. This is perfect for the person on the go that doesn't want to have to hold their beverage while they are hanging out at a party, event, working etc...

There are a few sites that sell these here and there in different designs and materials (search beer holster). They even have one designed for the ladies!


Prices range around $20 for a basic holster and $35 for custom leather stamped holsters.

MMMM Bacon.

Today my dreams came true when I was reading gizmodo.com, one of my favorite gadget blogs, and saw this thing of beauty. Canned bacon! There are 40-50 slices per can. That should be enough bacon to re-create my breakfast with the characters at Disneyland in post apocalyptic America. You could probably keep zombies at bay with this too.


It's a little more than $9 a can, but you have to buy a case, but that's nothing compared to power you will have over others when you possess tasty bacon after the world ends.

MREDepot (109.95)

The Second Amendment T-Shirt

I know the 18th century was a long time ago, but do we really need bear arms in this day and age?

Product Page ($18.99)

I hate it when this happens

The List

I remember my Mom having one of these when I was younger. I can recall her telling me that I had made it on her list at least a few times. I don't think I ever really got off of it either. I tried looking for it while snooping through her house, but she must have taken it with her to Africa.

Anyway... Here's a link if you want your own. Sh** List $6.95

Hiked to the Y

Yesterday I hiked to the "Y" with my young men. It was a combined activity with the young women, but only 2 young women and 2 young women leaders showed up. We only had one of the 2 girls that really wanted to go, so the 2 young women leaders decided not to go (which is against policy to have girls go with boys with no female adult leaders). It just so happens that the young women are in charge of going caroling next month (yes, in July!) All of the young men decided that we will "conveniently" not show up.

We had a fun time anyway. It wasn't too hot and the hike down was harder on my legs than the hike up. I took my HAM radio up with me and made some contacts to new HAMs that were making their first transmissions while I was up there (it was new ham night at the Sheriff's Annex).

The Classes Have Begun

This last Tuesday our Scouts began their 2 week SCUBA class with Scuba Ted's in Springville. I had 11 boys sign up (5 priests and 6 teachers), plus 4 adults (John Petersen. Jed Gordon, Kurt Davis, Robert McDaniels). We has a total of 15 in our class. We were told that 4 others signed up to start classes that day, but then another Scout Crew signed up and they added them to that day also and they had another 6 or 8 boys. It was the largest group Scuba Ted's has ever had in the pool at one time. They had enough instructors so that there was one for every 5 - 6 people.

I chose to stay out of the pool because the chlorine was burning my eyes just standing on the edge and I figured that they had enough help. Tonight is their second class and they will be finished and ready for our Sand Hollow trip by the end of next week. They will be completing their Open Water dives in Sand Hollow Resevior mid June.

So far we have 20 people going on out Sand Hollow trip. The 15 that are taking the class right now plus, ME, my brother, Matt Clyde (he's going to be our camp cook) and John Billings. Almost everyone in the ward that is certified will be going down and diving with us.

It's going to be the best High Adventure yet!

My New Ride!

Check out my new ride! It's a 2008 silver Jeep Patriot. It looks just like the one pictured above. I liked Amber's Jeep so much that I had to get my own. It has half the motor Amber's has and none of the extras, but gets 28 mpg. I figured I'd get something that has 4x4, but drives nice on the road.

I need to install my Ham radio and get me a personalized plate with my call sign, but I know that if I do the latter Amber won't drive it OR in it. I guess that makes it "too nerdy".

It's only 1 more antenna. It's not like I'm going to put on 3 or 4 (yet).

FREE Satellite Radio and $.01 Shipping! Best Deal EVER!!

Ever since we signed up with Sirius satellite a few weeks ago for Amber's Jeep. I have not listened to terrestrial radio ever since. I know I am missing Bob & Tom and Chunga, but I have a bunch of Comedy stations (they almost make you wreck from laughing so hard, ask Amber), and a station dedicated to "Hair" bands. They are virtually commercial free (you get a few commercials promoting other stations). Once you go to satellite you won't go back.

Now you can get a Sirius satellite radio, a $30 subscription card, and 1 cent shipping. Just to try out Sirius. Since that they are merging with XM things can only get better!

There is a $15 activation fee (your $30 card will cover it) and we pay $12.99/month. Additional radios are 1/2 that a month! I am getting one of these for my new ride!

Sirius Stratus 4 + vehicle kit + $30 gift card
Free shipping code: Freegroundship01

Mullet Power - The best card game ever!!!

After spending a weekend with my son who likes to collect "Pokemon" cards, I was hoping I could find me a card game that was geared for nerds like me, and I think I have found it. Mullet Power is a battle type card game where each card features a person with a sweet mullet and their hair oriented stats. The winner of the game gets to claim the title of "Ultimate Redneck".

YES this is a REAL GAME! I definitely know what I want for Father's Day!

Mullet Power ($8)

A weeked with Oscar

Nothing completes a trip to Park City than a package of Oscar Mayer Cheesedogs! I don't have stayed a night in that city without taking a package of these tasty morsels with me. Their cheese filled goodness is only enhanced by pouring salsa on them. MMMMMMMM!

Our weekend getaway with the kids was fun. We left on Friday evening and stayed at the Hampton Inn down by the outlet mall. A co-worker of ours had points and so we got the room for free (nothing beats free!). I couldn't sleep Friday night because I was too excited about scuba diving the next morning. I think I slept a total of 3 hours that night. I woke up at 5:30 and got ready for my trip to Bonneville Seabase located in Grantsville. I was going to meet Mike there at 7:30 so we could get some diving in before the classes arrived. I ended up driving slow and eating breakfast in Tooele because the trip only took an hour instead of 1 1/2 hour like I thought.

Once Mike and I met up at the Seabase we went in an rented the weights we would need to dive in the Salt Water pools they have. The guy helping us gave me 20-lbs of weight and said I'd probably be too heavy. He also gave Mike 20-lbs and told him he probably be light. Well he was right. When we entered the water Mike couldn't submerge. We got back out and I gave him 5-lbs of my belt then got back in the water to find out that I was now too light. I ended up going in and getting two 2-lb weights. we wasted about an hour trying to get the whole weight thing right. The water was very murky and we could only see about 4 feet in front of us. Our nice white fins were no help and we lost each other a few times and had to surface to find each other. We couldn't find some of the things they said were in the water like a sunken ship. They also told us that it was deeper than it actually was and we would smack into the bottom because we couldn't see it until we were kicking up silt. My weight belt almost fell off while we were diving, but I was able to grab it and get it secured quickly. We had fun though. The Seabase has a lot of beautiful fish and it was fun to see them.

I spent the rest of the weekend trying to recover from the dive. The kids were good and we were able to swim in the indoor pool that the hotel had. Avery liked doing "cannonbombs" and Mitch enjoyed swimming the length of the pool to impress the girls there.

Amber enjoyed sleeping, since that is her favorite hobby. Anyway, the kids are already talking about "Deer Valley" and how much fun they are going to have with Grandma and Grandpa.

Useless Fact - 4-14-08

FACT: The gelatin you eat in Jell-O comes from the collagen in cow or pig bones, hooves, and connective tissues. To make gelatin, manufacturers grind up these various parts and pre-treat them with either a strong acid or a strong base to break down cellular structures and release proteins like collagen. After pre-treatment, the resulting mixture is boiled. During this process, the large collagen protein ends up being partially broken down, and the resulting product is called gelatin. The gelatin is easily extracted because it forms a layer on the surface of the boiling mixture.

YUMMY!

Salem Pond - International Tourist Attraction?

Yesterday during the afternoon I let Avery lake the 4 wheeler out for a little ride. After a few minutes of her cruising down the road, two Chevy Malibus turned down the road towards the house. The lead car pulled up next to me and an Indian (a guy from India, not a Native American) asked me which way to Salem Pond. I told him to turn around and head straight and he'll run right next to it. As he thanked me I noticed that both of the Malibus were packed full with Asians and Indians.

HUH? When did Salem Pond become an attraction for foreigners? I don't remember seeing a Zagat Guide on Salem. Maybe they were going Carp fishing?

Useless Fact - 4-12-08

FACT: 1/3 of all Americans flush the toilet while they are still sitting on it.

Ready to Dive

I finally purchased the last pieces that I needed to complete my diving gear. Now Mike and I can go diving. This coming Saturday we are planning on diving at the only place in Utah that lets you dive with sharks (seabase.net). OK so they are only nurse sharks, but we are excited. Mike and I decided to purchase gear based on what "Tech" divers use. Tech divers use gear rated for extreme cold water and depth and use the older buoyancy devices like the tried and true wing that sits on a steel plate on your back, and not the jacket style used by most recreational divers today. I have also opted for the hose configuration that cave divers use, even though I have no desire to cave dive. It's funny talking to divers here that don't spend time on the diving message boards on the web because they automatically think I am going to go kill myself in a cave, or that I am a "Tech" diver when I talk to them about my set up. Little do they know that more and more divers are converting over to what I am using because it has less failure points and is simpler than traditional diving gear.

Anyway, my diving hood is very tight and i can barely turn my head sideways while wearing it. The suit I am wearing is one my father-in-law gave me. It has groovy yellow and red stripes by my feet (that's why my legs aren't in the photo).

BTW, my wing is more puncture resistant than Kevlar, so it will be harder for me to kill myself in a cave (It was on sale). lol

Useless Fact - 4-08-08

FACT: The word "fart" comes from the Old English "feortan" (meaning "to break wind").

Ouch my Forehead!

Yesterday was Sage Riders and I had a blast. I arrived in Cherry Creek, Utah at 8:45am. I was told it would take 2 hours to get there, but it only took about an hour and 15 minutes from Salem. I even drove the speed limit (which is hard to do in my new Grand Cherokee with a HEMI). We didn't need to be there until 9:30 so I just relaxed in my Jeep where it was warm while it was overcast, cold and the wind was blowing outside. Other members of my UCARES group start showing up after me and we were given our assignments. I was assigned to be stationed at Checkpoint 5 on loop 2. It happened to be the last checkpoint before the finish the line. The race didn't even start until 11:00pm so I had time to hang out and help point riders where they needed to go whether it was for an exhaust check or registration. The wind was blowing dirt all around and all of the bikes were kicking up tons of dust too. I had to keep cleaning off my sunglasses so I could see. I also had to keep my mouth shut because I could feel the dirt grinding in my teeth. My lips were chapping so I used some chapstick, but instead of helping cure my chapped lips all it did was give a place for all of the flying dust to stick to.

Once the race started and we headed to our checkpoint I set up a larger antenna to communicate with Net Control and sat down for some lunch. Not too long, riders started coming through out checkpoint and it was a pretty uneventful day where I was at. It never really warmed up and the sun never came out, but close to the end of the race I noticed that my forehead felt a little sore. I wasn't sure if it was because my face was so dry from the wind or if I ended up getting a sunburn through the clouds and through the 5 inches of dust on my face. The other guys at the checkpoint didn't notice any redness so I didn't really think about it til I got home and Amber told me my face was really red. I guess I got fried.

Today my face doesn't look really red, but it hurts when I raise my eyebrows. Luckily I had a hoodie on so my balding head didn't get burned.

Here's a pic of my large red forehead:

Useless Fact

FACT: From the age of thirty, humans gradually begin to shrink in size.

OH Great! I'm going to have to move in with Lilly Tomlin!

Sage Riders

Sorry for the lack of posts the last few days I have been getting my radio equipment ready for Saturday where I will be using my nerdy HAM Radio in assisting with communications for "Sage Riders". It is a national AMA race that spans 80 miles through the desert. All of the competitors have to do a dead start which means they have to have their motors shut off and with the drop of the banners they start their motors and take off like a bat out of hell.

Here is a video of the start of last years race:

Radio operators are stationed at each checkpoint where the bikers have to stop for a split second while their bikes get marked with the checkpoints color so they can track if you cheated or not at the end of the race. There is also gas and water at the checkpoints if the bikes and riders need it.

We also have radio operators with the medical unit and the helicopter that flies the route.

It's one of the events I look forward to each year.

Useless Fact - 4-02-08

FACT: The "dot" over the letter "i" and "j " is called a tittle.

Nice tittles!

Rejected Star Wars Product #4

What kid would not want a Tauntaun suit? All the other costumes that make it appear that you are riding something pale in comparison to the beauty of this costume. I did find a guy who built his own and it doesn't look half bad.

I am still hoping that Lucasarts will release this as an official costume. I'll wait for the "deluxe" version, you know, the one that doubles as a sleeping bag like one that Kenner released for the action figures years ago (which I had).

Useless Fact - 3-29-08

FACT: People photocopying their buttocks are the cause of 23% of all photocopier faults worldwide.

A Hammock built for two

My wife has one of these hammocks built for two.
She never lets me use it.

Hammock built for two

Useless Fact - 3-29-08

FACT: Uranus' orbital axis is tilted at 90 degrees.

"I've been studying Uranus quite a bit lately, and I've found out a lot of things about Uranus that I didn't know before. I'm going to take a bit of time away from my usual routine to discuss Uranus with you. If you're looking for comedy, you probably won't be very interested. Uranus can be funny, but it can also be serious. Maybe you'll learn something about Uranus, yourself.

Uranus is huge. You could easily fit a planet like Mars inside Uranus several times over. Scientists are unsure about the exact size of Uranus, but studies are happening all the time. There are people all over the world studying Uranus right now. In fact, somebody you know might very well be fanatic about Uranus.

Nobody is quite sure what's inside Uranus. There is a lot of gas around Uranus, and there is much speculation about the kinds of gas inside Uranus. There is a lot of methane in Uranus. In fact, Uranus is constantly expelling methane, and producing more to make up for it. The atmosphere around Uranus probably smells a lot like methane. These gases make Uranus very flammable.

On a clear night, you can see Uranus without a telescope. Uranus is blue. Personally, I think Uranus is beautiful, but Uranus is very far away. In the future, we will all be able to see Uranus a lot better. Technology will effectively enlarge Uranus.

I am simply obsessed with Uranus, I tell people about Uranus all the time and they look at Uranus too. If you ever come to talk to me, you'll probably find that the moment you turn to leave, I will be looking at Uranus. Sometimes people criticize me for looking at Uranus too much. As long as you don't mind me studying Uranus, we can be good friends. Personally I don't find anything wrong with looking at Uranus. I think everyone should study Uranus a little.

As technology will soon enable people to visit Uranus. I would love to get closer to Uranus. People would need to wear a special suit to approach Uranus, but they would have to be careful - if they get too close, they could actually get sucked into Uranus. Nobody would ever find a person inside Uranus. And if their suit broke, the gases around Uranus could be very harmful.

Some people don't understand what's so important about Uranus. They think Uranus is nothing special. Some think Uranus is just full of crap. They don't realize that a lot of interesting and important discoveries have come out of Uranus. Studying Uranus has brought people closer together. One day, Uranus will get the attention it deserves. One day, Uranus will be on everybody's lips."

Text taken from www.speterdavis.com

Rude Awakening

This morning, while I was pleasantly slumbering, dreaming about metal detecting, Ham Radio, Computers and other nerdy things, I was rudely awakened by my wife Amber, who while sleeping, was invaded by a baby spider which decided to crawl on her face. Instinctively, Amber swatted at the spider, but in her attempt to brush the spider off of her face ended up smacking me square in the back. Her attack didn't hurt, but it did wake me up.

I wasn't too happy.

Rejected Star Wars Product #3

OK.. I don't see why this idea was rejected by Pepsi and Lucasarts. It's a sunshade for your car. Who wouldn't want their car to look like it's being piloted by Han and Chewey.? That's all my pimped out ride needs to make it super nerdy is this shade. Well, that and a HAM radio antenna or five.

Useless Fact - 3-28-08

FACT: The average woman consumes 6 pounds of lipstick in her lifetime.

If you eat more than that you'll get indigestion.

Rejected Star Wars Product #2

This is another one of the rejected promotional items that Lucasarts and Pepsi thought up. It's a set of "Princess Leia's Hair Headphones". You just turn the bun on the right to adjust the volume. I guess they didn't make these because guys would look pretty awkward wearing these.

Maybe they didn't want to women walking down the street with these on and have guys yelling "nice buns!".

Useless Fact - 3-25-08

FACT: The Kentucky Fried Chicken slogan "finger-lickin' good" came out as "eat your fingers off" in Chinese.

吃你的手指

Rejected Star Wars Product #1

A long, long time ago (1999) in an office far, far away. Lucasarts and Pepsi got together and brainstormed on some promotional products. This is one of the rejects - A "Jabba the Hut Beanbag Chair". I have a Lovesac in my basement that is almost the perfect color for a "Jabba the Hutt" conversion. I would need at least another one or two more of the same size though.

Then, I just need to get my wife to wear a slave Leia costume and I'll be set!

Useless Fact - 3-24-08

FACT: Right handed people live, on average, nine years longer than left handed people.

OH CRAP!!!

He-Man was NOT a Doll!

Did your Dad ever harass you about your G.I. Joe guys, or your He-Man warriors? mine did. He would always come in when I was in the middle of an epic battle against the forces of evil whether that be Skeletor, Cobra, Darth Vader, or Lord Dredd (from Captain Power) and say to me and my friend "Quit playing with your dolls!". This t-shirt from Jinx.com has my response: "They're not dolls, they're action figures". It would make me so mad when he'd say this to me.

They ARE Action Figures Dad, Gosh!

Furniture for Medieval Nerds

If you are the kind of Nerd that enjoys wearing chainmail or attends Renaissance festivals, chances are you are a virgin would enjoy decorating your home with sculptural furniture like the “Subservient Dragon”glass-topped table. Or perhaps you would like to feel like the King of all Nerds sitting in the “Celtic Dragon" Throne.

Useless Fact - 3-18-08

FACT: Pac-Man, Namco's 1979 arcade game, was originally called "Puck Man". The name was changed when they realized that vandals could easily scratch out part of the letter "P".

OK.. So what would they have called a game about "Puck Man's" Mom?

Useless Fact - 3-17-08

FACT: 65% of all Elvis impersonators are of Asian decent.

"Rove me tender, Rove me sweet, Never ret me go. You have made my rife comprete, And I rove you so.

Rove me tender, Rove me true, Arr my dreams fulfirred. For my darrin I love you, And I arways wirr.

Rove me tender, Rove me rong, Take me to your heart. For its there that I berong, And werr never part.

Rove me tender, Rove me dear, Terr me you are mine. I'rr be yours through arr the years,
Tirr the end of time.

(When at rast my dreams come true , Darring this I know, Happiness wirr forrow you, Everywhere you go)."

Ice Shurikens

Never be unarmed again while drinking your favorite beverage. Ice Shurikens will not keep your drink cold, but can be used as deadly throwing objects. The cool thing is that once you have defeated your attackers using these frozen weapons, but they will melt leaving only a pool of water to baffle investigators.

Useless Fact - 3-14-08

FACT: About 1 out of every 70 people who pick their nose actually eat their boogers.

Useless Fact - 3-9-08

FACT: Picasso’s full name was Pablo Diego Jose Francisco de Paula Juan Nepomuceno Maria de los Remedios Cipriano de la Santisima Trinidad Ruiz Picasso.

How'd you like to baptize someone with that name?