On Sunday night, we decided to go on a dinner cruise. It was priced decently (30 dollars per person, all-you-can-eat (2 meals), and lots of entertainment (well, sort of). We got there just a few minutes before it departed and immediately went to the buffet. The food was pretty good, but nothing to write home about. I had prime rib, which always makes me happy.... I must say that the horseradish sauce they have is the best I've ever had. It was amazing.
So we ate and explored the ship. The weather was awesome, it was warm out on the deck, and a little breezy. We went and gambled a little bit, but the tables were too expensive for my liking. The girls did slots for a bit, but we really didn't spend too much time doing that. We decided to go see if there was any entertainment (like was advertised), but apparently they only do shows on certain nights, and Sunday night wasn't one of them. So we bought a couple packs of cards and played some card games in one of the lounges whilst drinking pina coladas. We went and ate our second meal (a breakfast) before looking at all the houses along the coast as we got closer to docking. Some of those houses were amazing.
All in all, it was a really fun night where we got to bond and have some fun. We would do it again if we came back to Florida.
12.31.2008
12.30.2008
Fun in Florida
Here we are in Florida at sea world waiting for shamu to splash the crowd. We've had a great time so far including one of the (if not the best) beach trip I've had. We went to the beach on either Thursday or Friday of last week. Trisha and I ended up with a bit of a sunburn but nothing too out of control.
Adam was REALLY tired on the way to the beach and complained a lot about wanting to stay home. He was ornery until about 45 minutes after we got there. Damon and I rode the 4 foot waves for a while before I went and laid out for a bit. It was a comfy 80 degrees. Perfect. The water was 74 (also perfect). We built a pretty good sandcastle and then went swimming again before heading home. We would have stayed later but Amie had to work that night so we had to be back pretty early.
Well. Shamu is going to make his entrance soon so I'd better wrap it up. Stay tuned to hear about our dinner cruise and our day at seaworld!
Adam was REALLY tired on the way to the beach and complained a lot about wanting to stay home. He was ornery until about 45 minutes after we got there. Damon and I rode the 4 foot waves for a while before I went and laid out for a bit. It was a comfy 80 degrees. Perfect. The water was 74 (also perfect). We built a pretty good sandcastle and then went swimming again before heading home. We would have stayed later but Amie had to work that night so we had to be back pretty early.
Well. Shamu is going to make his entrance soon so I'd better wrap it up. Stay tuned to hear about our dinner cruise and our day at seaworld!
12.24.2008
Merry Christmas!
I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas (or whatever you choose to celebrate). I hope everyone has/is having/had a wonderful holiday and got everything that they wanted/deserved.
Florida
We made it to Florida! tHE WEATHER HERE IS awesome! The highs are in the high 70s. Beautiful and warm! The flights worked out just perfect. Both Trisha and I went straight from flight to flight and didn't have to try to make different flights or anything, so that worked out perfect. I got in to Fort Lauderdale at about 9:30 AM on Tuesday (the 23rd).
Damon picked me up from the airport, and had to get some more work done before he could take me home (since it was in the middle of his work day). So, I rode around with Damon in his car until about 6 that evening. It was a long day of sitting on my butt. I got about 2 and a half hours of sleep in his car as he was working, and didn't sleep at all on the plane, so I was pretty tired. When I finally crashed (at around 2 AM), I didn't sleep very well because I was so tired. I also woke up a little congested, so I hope I don't end up with a cold.
We're enjoying being here with Amie and Damon and the boys. We've been chilling and haven't done a whole lot, which has been nice.
I went to lunch yesterday at Boston Market. I haven't been there in years (cuz I think they're out of business in Utah). Pretty good food. Especially their mashed potatoes.
We went to eat dinner at Buca De Beppo, and because my birthday was within the past 7 days, we got a free desert and a 10 dollar off gift card for our next visit. They also did a great job embarrassing me by getting the ENTIRE restaurant to sing happy birthday to me. The food wasn't very good, though. It was quite bland. Oh well.
We ate lunch today at Chili's, and then ate leftovers for dinner while playing The Office board game. That was fun (I won!).
Well, It's quite late, so I better head off to bed pretty soon.
Damon picked me up from the airport, and had to get some more work done before he could take me home (since it was in the middle of his work day). So, I rode around with Damon in his car until about 6 that evening. It was a long day of sitting on my butt. I got about 2 and a half hours of sleep in his car as he was working, and didn't sleep at all on the plane, so I was pretty tired. When I finally crashed (at around 2 AM), I didn't sleep very well because I was so tired. I also woke up a little congested, so I hope I don't end up with a cold.
We're enjoying being here with Amie and Damon and the boys. We've been chilling and haven't done a whole lot, which has been nice.
I went to lunch yesterday at Boston Market. I haven't been there in years (cuz I think they're out of business in Utah). Pretty good food. Especially their mashed potatoes.
We went to eat dinner at Buca De Beppo, and because my birthday was within the past 7 days, we got a free desert and a 10 dollar off gift card for our next visit. They also did a great job embarrassing me by getting the ENTIRE restaurant to sing happy birthday to me. The food wasn't very good, though. It was quite bland. Oh well.
We ate lunch today at Chili's, and then ate leftovers for dinner while playing The Office board game. That was fun (I won!).
Well, It's quite late, so I better head off to bed pretty soon.
Announcement
It's official.
Twice confirmed.
I'm going to be a daddy!
That's right! Trisha is pregnant!
Yay!
We're very excited, and I'm pretty anxious/nervous too!
Twice confirmed.
I'm going to be a daddy!
That's right! Trisha is pregnant!
Yay!
We're very excited, and I'm pretty anxious/nervous too!
12.22.2008
Florida
As many of you know, this year Trisha and I decided to head out of town for Christmas and try our luck at a summery Christmas. We're going to Florida! In fact, Trisha is already there, and I'm scheduled to leave tonight at 11:15 PM. I'm hoping that the weather has cleared up enough by then (and that the flight isn't full).
Trisha's sister lives in West Palm Beach, so we're going to stay with them for a week while we soak up the sun. We're both very excited! It is a little weird to know that some of the holiday traditions will not be observed this year. We're gunna miss our family, but getting away from the hustle and bustle while visiting with family who couldn't make it in for Christmas seems like it will be ok. We'll see!
Trisha's sister lives in West Palm Beach, so we're going to stay with them for a week while we soak up the sun. We're both very excited! It is a little weird to know that some of the holiday traditions will not be observed this year. We're gunna miss our family, but getting away from the hustle and bustle while visiting with family who couldn't make it in for Christmas seems like it will be ok. We'll see!
12.19.2008
Birthday
Yesterday was my birthday, and I had a GREAT DAY! Because of the weather, I worked from home, but unfortunately missed a lunch appointment at the best Thai restaurant in Utah. For my birthday, I decided to take a day or 2 off of my diet, so it would have been the perfect time to get the Thai food.
Work was light yesterday, since a good chunk of the stuff I am working on requires me to be in the office, but I still got some work done.
Trisha went to do Roz's hair in the late afternoon, and so I went and tagged along.
After the hair stuff was done, we went to dinner with my parents at Texas Roadhouse. I had a yummy prime rib. I then went home and played Call of Duty with some of my friends online.
All in all, it was a great day. :D
Work was light yesterday, since a good chunk of the stuff I am working on requires me to be in the office, but I still got some work done.
Trisha went to do Roz's hair in the late afternoon, and so I went and tagged along.
After the hair stuff was done, we went to dinner with my parents at Texas Roadhouse. I had a yummy prime rib. I then went home and played Call of Duty with some of my friends online.
All in all, it was a great day. :D
12.15.2008
Wow.. A 10 day Draught.
Wow.. Went 10 days without updating. Sorry about that. :S
I've been so blasted busy with school and work that I've been procrastinating.
Today was the "Premiere" of some videos that a couple of coworkers and I created for our work's online university. These are tutorials that show you how our system works and how to increase your margins, etc. A sample video can be found here. I even created a mock movie intro to the James Bond theme song and the Casino Royal intro scene. That can be seen below.
I also created a spoof of "how to get paid" as an internal joke of the process of getting our paychecks. It was a hoot, and well recepted.
I'm exhausted now that the whole thing is over. It was a lot of work, but it paid off. I think everyone realized how much time and work I put into it. It was a lot of fun too!
I've been so blasted busy with school and work that I've been procrastinating.
Today was the "Premiere" of some videos that a couple of coworkers and I created for our work's online university. These are tutorials that show you how our system works and how to increase your margins, etc. A sample video can be found here. I even created a mock movie intro to the James Bond theme song and the Casino Royal intro scene. That can be seen below.
I also created a spoof of "how to get paid" as an internal joke of the process of getting our paychecks. It was a hoot, and well recepted.
I'm exhausted now that the whole thing is over. It was a lot of work, but it paid off. I think everyone realized how much time and work I put into it. It was a lot of fun too!
12.05.2008
Thanksgiving
I know it's a week late, but I just wanted to leave a quick blog about how my Thanksgiving went. As I mentioned before, I we spent Wednesday night though Sunday at Jenny and Aaron's house. On Wednesday night, we watched some movies and stayed up late.
On Thanksgiving, I got up and went shooting with my brother-in-law Frank. We sighted in his new gun for an upcoming cayote hunt. It was fun to shoot. We also shot is .337 magnum. Man, that felt like someone was kicking you in the hand when you'd shoot it. When shooting the .337 special ammo, it was much better. I also put about 100 rounds through my 9mm.
After I got back, Trisha made a chocolate sheet cake to bring to her extended family's Thanksgiving. The cake turned out quite well, but I didn't get to try any. We went to the Thanksgiving party at around 4. It was just an OK experience this year. There was some drama going on, and we ended up leaving at one point and coming back, and then leaving somewhat early. I only ate Turkey and Celery, so it wasn't really great food for me... Plus Trisha ate some really bland mashed potatoes.
After Trisha's family's party, we went back to Jenny and Aaron's. Aaron had prepared a good spread for us to have. Homemade stuffing, mashed potatoes, turkey, green bean casserole, yams, the works! I (again) stuck with the turkey and had a bit of green bean casserole. I decided earlier that I wanted to eat more than that, so I bought some asparagas and cauliflower. I roasted the asparagas with butter and parmesean cheese and steamed the cauliflower and then mashed it to make a substitute for the mashed potatoes. Overall, it was a good dinner. After dinner was done, it was quite late, and everyone started crashing. Trisha and I had a tubby together in the giant tub in the master bedroom! That was fun!
We slept in on Friday and went to a movie in the afternoon. We actually saw 2 movies, Twilight and Four Christmases. Twilight was good for the most part. The script and acting could have used some help, but it was enjoyable. Four Christmases was pretty funny too. Of course, parts of it were over the top, but that's typical. Vince Vaughn is just so funny!
I don't remember what we did Saturday.
On Sunday, Trisha had a migraine, and she didn't sleep well for most of the day, so after I woke up, she finally fell asleep. I played COD5 for a good chunk of the day and then helped clean up before Jenny's family came for her birthday party. We left shortly after they got there and went home and relaxed.
All in all, a good weekend.
On Thanksgiving, I got up and went shooting with my brother-in-law Frank. We sighted in his new gun for an upcoming cayote hunt. It was fun to shoot. We also shot is .337 magnum. Man, that felt like someone was kicking you in the hand when you'd shoot it. When shooting the .337 special ammo, it was much better. I also put about 100 rounds through my 9mm.
After I got back, Trisha made a chocolate sheet cake to bring to her extended family's Thanksgiving. The cake turned out quite well, but I didn't get to try any. We went to the Thanksgiving party at around 4. It was just an OK experience this year. There was some drama going on, and we ended up leaving at one point and coming back, and then leaving somewhat early. I only ate Turkey and Celery, so it wasn't really great food for me... Plus Trisha ate some really bland mashed potatoes.
After Trisha's family's party, we went back to Jenny and Aaron's. Aaron had prepared a good spread for us to have. Homemade stuffing, mashed potatoes, turkey, green bean casserole, yams, the works! I (again) stuck with the turkey and had a bit of green bean casserole. I decided earlier that I wanted to eat more than that, so I bought some asparagas and cauliflower. I roasted the asparagas with butter and parmesean cheese and steamed the cauliflower and then mashed it to make a substitute for the mashed potatoes. Overall, it was a good dinner. After dinner was done, it was quite late, and everyone started crashing. Trisha and I had a tubby together in the giant tub in the master bedroom! That was fun!
We slept in on Friday and went to a movie in the afternoon. We actually saw 2 movies, Twilight and Four Christmases. Twilight was good for the most part. The script and acting could have used some help, but it was enjoyable. Four Christmases was pretty funny too. Of course, parts of it were over the top, but that's typical. Vince Vaughn is just so funny!
I don't remember what we did Saturday.
On Sunday, Trisha had a migraine, and she didn't sleep well for most of the day, so after I woke up, she finally fell asleep. I played COD5 for a good chunk of the day and then helped clean up before Jenny's family came for her birthday party. We left shortly after they got there and went home and relaxed.
All in all, a good weekend.
12.03.2008
SCAM - Part 20 - The jig is up...
My response:
From: xxxxxxx@hotmail.com
Subject: RE: Yes, I hope you die from AIDS...
Date: Wed, 3 Dec 2008 13:29:03 -0700
--------------------
Dearest St. Topher the Gopher,
I need to first start off this email by thanking you for the humor and enjoyment that you have provided to me and my friends. I really was beginning to look forward to your emails every day. I was able to put on a little show for dozens of people to enjoy, and it's really a shame that this is coming to an end.
Now to move on to the fun stuff...
You are a complete idiot, and that's funny! Your game is up... I know that you are a craigslist scammer living in Nigeria, and I knew it from the very first email you sent to me. I know your name isn't "Chris Scott." You should have used a name that would be a little more convincing, like Kehinde? Kehinde means that you lag behind right? A little slower than the rest? That's just too true...
This whole back and forth was a farce on my part, and I'm not sorry for it. For the pain and misery that you and your friends cause to innocent people, the small amount of joy and large amount of laughter that you have provided me and my friends is the least that you could do.
I hope that the many calls you made to me cost you a lot of money. It really was a waste for you. Oh, and by the way, every time you called me, you were actually calling the local police department here. I only wish I could have recorded those calls as you desperately tried to get ahold of me just like I recorded the phone call when I called you. (By the way, you really have to work on your scamming technique. You didn't even know who I was on the phone!)
I gave you every opportunity in the world to figure out that I was jerking you along, but you were just too stupid to figure it out. From my address that essentially told you that it wasn't a real address, to even more obvious things like the problems sending the money over and over. But, you finally figured it out. You should be proud of yourself for putting 2 and 2 together after only 2 and a half weeks!
I can only hope that you were truely embarrased when you went to the bank to try to withdraw the funds on the fake MTCN number. I'm sure that the bank attendants thought the whole situation was quite funny. I'd bet my bottom dollar that they know that you're a scammer and it's only a matter of time before you're caught and sent to prision. I hope you enjoy being sodomized.
St. Topher the Gopher, you are the scum of the Earth, and I hope that you get what's due to you.
Thanks for the cheap laughs, though.
"Trisha Fielding"
SCAM - Part 19
St. Topher the Gopher has finally responded! Here's what he had to say. Included is the subject of the email.
"RE: I would never wish such a horrible disease upon my worst enemy.What a horrible disease! I wonder if God put it on Earth to wipe out the Except maybe you.????
From: Chris Scott (c_hood40@yahoo.com)
Sent: Wed 12/03/08 11:23 AM
To: Trisha (xxxxxxx@hotmail.com)
Trisha.....
Thanks for the mails.I just want to let you know that i really appreicate the embarassment you make me go through today with the mtcn you have given about three times.I dont know what to think about what are doing .on the other hand something tell me that you fooling me.Because this is the third time you giving me three type of mtcn number that does not correspond.
I just want know maybe there something you want share that i dont really understand,And you know what i also have a very big clash the money gram today about the refrence number you gave me .So i am thinking if you still willing to make the payment i want you to make it throuhg western union.Because that is very easy to check online before going to the bank to recieve any kind of embarassment.I am really stress in sending you this message.
I think you have anything explanation for this.
Thanks
Chris"
"RE: I would never wish such a horrible disease upon my worst enemy.What a horrible disease! I wonder if God put it on Earth to wipe out the Except maybe you.????
From: Chris Scott (c_hood40@yahoo.com)
Sent: Wed 12/03/08 11:23 AM
To: Trisha (xxxxxxx@hotmail.com)
Trisha.....
Thanks for the mails.I just want to let you know that i really appreicate the embarassment you make me go through today with the mtcn you have given about three times.I dont know what to think about what are doing .on the other hand something tell me that you fooling me.Because this is the third time you giving me three type of mtcn number that does not correspond.
I just want know maybe there something you want share that i dont really understand,And you know what i also have a very big clash the money gram today about the refrence number you gave me .So i am thinking if you still willing to make the payment i want you to make it throuhg western union.Because that is very easy to check online before going to the bank to recieve any kind of embarassment.I am really stress in sending you this message.
I think you have anything explanation for this.
Thanks
Chris"
12.01.2008
SCAM - Part 18
Much to my chagrin, T the G hasn't referred to himself as Topher the Gopher.. Yet...
Hello Trisha, Thanks for the mail,so i am very happy for your fast responds.and for what you said in your message that you made a mistake by sending the money to the wrong destination right?and i will like you to know that could you just go back to the bank that you used for the transfer of the money that they should provide you and other refrence number for the transfer! i can't just go to the bank an provide them the former reference number that you gave me. What i will like you to do is that just go to the bank and told the representative that he/she should provide you another refrence number.
Looking to hear from you soon.
God bless you.
Chris...
My reply:
Dearest Topher Gopher,
Thanks for the email. I'm sorry that it took me most of the day to respond to you. The twins have been out of control. Seeing as they're well into their terrible two's (their 3rd birthday is only 2 and a half weeks away!), the teething and breastfeeding has become a constant battle. Do you have any suggestions on how to cope with these children? Surely you have some advice, coming from a saint in the land of Africa who is constantly saving the lives of starving children. Speaking of, how is the work going there? Have you had much of a run-in with any kids or adulterers with AIDS or HIV? I would never wish such a horrible disease upon my worst enemy. Except maybe you. What a horrible disease! I wonder if God put it on Earth to wipe out the adulterers? Some people say that the US government created the AIDS virus to whipe out gays and blacks. I'm not sure. I'd guess that they created crack to whipe out the blacks. It hasn't worked yet.
Regarding the moneygram payment, the representative said I didn't need a new reference number for the payment. Because of your email, I insisted that they give me a new reference number in place of the number that I gave you. After a bit of an argument over the need of a new reference number, the representative gave me a new one. The new reference number for this payment is 24685611. Please go to the bank post haste to see if the payment has deposited. The neighbors that live nearby your house are growing weary of our tents in your front yard. I keep telling them that I'm just waiting for you to send the keys. They told me that they didn't know that you went to Africa to serve a mission. What a nice thing of you to do, to not tell anyone of your good works. That reminds me of a bible story about the old woman and the well. Perhaps you can recount that story back to me? Let me give you a hint: it doesn't have anything to do with a woman falling down a well. I got that answer wrong in sunday school when I was younger.
Good luck to you and God's work in Africa.
You're always in my thoughts and prayers.
Trisha
Hello Trisha, Thanks for the mail,so i am very happy for your fast responds.and for what you said in your message that you made a mistake by sending the money to the wrong destination right?and i will like you to know that could you just go back to the bank that you used for the transfer of the money that they should provide you and other refrence number for the transfer! i can't just go to the bank an provide them the former reference number that you gave me. What i will like you to do is that just go to the bank and told the representative that he/she should provide you another refrence number.
Looking to hear from you soon.
God bless you.
Chris...
My reply:
Dearest Topher Gopher,
Thanks for the email. I'm sorry that it took me most of the day to respond to you. The twins have been out of control. Seeing as they're well into their terrible two's (their 3rd birthday is only 2 and a half weeks away!), the teething and breastfeeding has become a constant battle. Do you have any suggestions on how to cope with these children? Surely you have some advice, coming from a saint in the land of Africa who is constantly saving the lives of starving children. Speaking of, how is the work going there? Have you had much of a run-in with any kids or adulterers with AIDS or HIV? I would never wish such a horrible disease upon my worst enemy. Except maybe you. What a horrible disease! I wonder if God put it on Earth to wipe out the adulterers? Some people say that the US government created the AIDS virus to whipe out gays and blacks. I'm not sure. I'd guess that they created crack to whipe out the blacks. It hasn't worked yet.
Regarding the moneygram payment, the representative said I didn't need a new reference number for the payment. Because of your email, I insisted that they give me a new reference number in place of the number that I gave you. After a bit of an argument over the need of a new reference number, the representative gave me a new one. The new reference number for this payment is 24685611. Please go to the bank post haste to see if the payment has deposited. The neighbors that live nearby your house are growing weary of our tents in your front yard. I keep telling them that I'm just waiting for you to send the keys. They told me that they didn't know that you went to Africa to serve a mission. What a nice thing of you to do, to not tell anyone of your good works. That reminds me of a bible story about the old woman and the well. Perhaps you can recount that story back to me? Let me give you a hint: it doesn't have anything to do with a woman falling down a well. I got that answer wrong in sunday school when I was younger.
Good luck to you and God's work in Africa.
You're always in my thoughts and prayers.
Trisha
SCAM - Related Post "A"
You better check yourself before you wreck yourself.
http://www.kutv.com/mediacenter/local.aspx?videoid=69919@kutv.dayport.com&navCatId=7
Thanks to David for tracking down this video.
http://www.kutv.com/mediacenter/local.aspx?videoid=69919@kutv.dayport.com&navCatId=7
Thanks to David for tracking down this video.
MIA - Ming Ming
As many of you know, we spent the weekend at a friends house for the Thanksgiving holiday. We returned home yesterday evening to find a missing Ming Ming. Even though her wheel was taped to the side of her cage so it wouldn't fall out, she ran it into the ground and the tape security failed. She (again) lept from the 4 foot dresser and was wandering around. We were gone from Wednesday night to Sunday night, and we have no idea when she got out. We turned the entire condo upside down looking for her. Finally, we decided to just sit and listen to see if she would come out of hiding, and if not, pronounce her dead.
I fell asleep at around 10:00 while listening for her in the bedroom. Trisha had a migraine all day yesterday and couldn't sleep until the afternoon, so she wasn't as tired. She was watching TV and looking through her coupons when we heard some scratching. It was at about 12:40 AM and it was loud enough to wake me up.
We were happy to find Ming Ming sitting on my shoes again.
I looked very closely in our closet earlier, and she wasn't there, but apparently, when she wants to be found, that's where she emerges. She had lost quite a bit of weight over the weekend. So we double taped the wheel back on and made sure she had lots of water and food. She drank and drank and drank when she first got back in her cage. We're glad that we found her!
I fell asleep at around 10:00 while listening for her in the bedroom. Trisha had a migraine all day yesterday and couldn't sleep until the afternoon, so she wasn't as tired. She was watching TV and looking through her coupons when we heard some scratching. It was at about 12:40 AM and it was loud enough to wake me up.
We were happy to find Ming Ming sitting on my shoes again.
I looked very closely in our closet earlier, and she wasn't there, but apparently, when she wants to be found, that's where she emerges. She had lost quite a bit of weight over the weekend. So we double taped the wheel back on and made sure she had lots of water and food. She drank and drank and drank when she first got back in her cage. We're glad that we found her!
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