Gentlemen Broncos

Watch this movie if you like Flight of the Conchords and Nacho Libre.

Sampler:

Come and see.

Fun in Gator Country

Beaumont is Gator Country. Two weeks ago at a law enforcement display for kids in Vidor, I met the hosts from Gator 911. Our Coast Guard display was next to the Fish & Game Warden. Gary Saurage and Jana Parr showed up to register a 3 foot alligator with the Warden. Got to shake Gary's hand and Jana let me hold the alligator while the kids swarmed around to see.

A few days later, while driving back from the Sabine Pilot Station around 10:00 PM, I saw something odd in the road with my dim headlights. It was in the middle of the road, so I slowed and veered right. I didn't know it, but it was a huge alligator facing me head on! As I veered right, it turned its 10 foot long body perpendicular and spanned across my entire lane. I SLAMMED over it going about 50 MPH! I turned around to check out the damage and watched as it limped into the bayou next to the road. No blood on the road- sturdy guy.

Last gator tale; my roomate and I went crabbing at a spot in Lousiana last Friday. We tied raw chicken drumsticks to 100 lb. catfish line and pulled in the greedy crabs that would latch on. It was a great spot for us to catch dinner, and even better spot for the mosquitoes who drained about a pint of my blood (same night as Twilight's debut, so it was fitting). Ceding to the mosquito onslaught, we went around one last time to pull in the lines. The last line seemed snagged up so I shined my light and and a 6 foot alligator was staring at me with the line coming out of his clamped jaws! We played tug of war for five minutes before my roomate ran over with the camera. Check it out:

(I'm yanking on this 100 lb. line the entire time. My hands were sore the next day.)

Thanksgiving

To name a few things I am thankful for: I am thankful for my family and especially my brothers who I can surf with and have so much in common with. I'm thankful for America and our freedom and ability to come together in hard times. I'm grateful for my friends and their support. I'm thankful for all the opportunities to interview and will be really grateful when this process is over! I'm thankful for Jesus Christ and the example of love and service He gave and that He paid the price for my sins and makes happiness and forgiveness possible. I'm thankful for California weather and for the ocean and mountains. I'm thankful for MW2 and that I have Kayle and Greg as wing men.

Apostle Says Religious Freedom is Being Threatened

Exerpts from an LDS news brief:

An apostle for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said religious freedom is being threatened by societal forces intimidating those with religious points of view from having a voice in the public square. (See the full text of the speech here)

Noting that the students he was addressing were among the generation that would face continuing challenges to religious freedom, Elder Oaks offered five points of counsel:

• Speak with love and show patience, understanding and compassion to those with differing viewpoints.
• Do not be deterred or coerced into silence by intimidation from opponents, insisting that churches and their members be able to speak out on issues without retaliation.
• Insist on the freedom to preach the doctrines of their faith.
• Be wise in political participation, remaining respectful of those who do not share their religious beliefs and contributing to reasonable discussion.
• Be careful to never support or act on the idea that a person must subscribe to a specific set of religious beliefs in order to qualify for public office.

“Religious values and political realities are so interlinked in the origin and perpetuation of this nation that we cannot lose the influence of Christianity in the public square without seriously jeopardizing our freedoms,” Elder Oaks concluded. “I maintain that this is a political fact, well qualified for argument in the public square by religious people whose freedom to believe and act must always be protected by what is properly called our ‘First Freedom,’ the free exercise of religion.”

RIP

“Always love your country — but never trust your government!

“That should not be misunderstood. I certainly am not advocating civil disobedience, must less insurrection or rebellion. What I am advocating is to not expect too much from government and be wary of it power, even the power of a democratic government in a free country.

“Ours is one of the mildest, most benevolent governments in the world. But it too has the power to take your wealth and forfeit your life. ... A government that can give you everything can take everything away.”

- Robert Novak

Superfoods

My mom recently sent me an article that perscribes natural foods for various health problems. Check it out! Ailments included: Heart disease, cancer, osteoporosis, Alzheimer's, diabetes, asthma, allergies, arthiritis, depression, vision problems, irritable bowels and PMS! I wish we could get rid of all the processed shiz America eats and GO NATURAL! Just think how much healthier we would be and how much we'd save on health care; individually and collectively. Put down the Fritos. Read the article.

Eat for Your Health

Eating healthy feels SO GOOD! Here is a list from Oprah on 10 natural foods that do wonders for your health. Enjoy.

1. Acai (What? I thought this was a little sales pitchy of Oprah.)
2. The Allium Family (Onions, Scallions, Garlic, etc.)
3. Barley (Fiber helps colon among other things)
4. Beans and Lentils (The magical fruit)
5. Buckwheat (Little rascal?)
6. Green Foods
7. Hot Peppers (I love salsa.)
8. Nuts and Seeds
9. Sprouts
10. Yogurt and Kefir