A busy, busy fall

Well shucks, these past couple months have gone by like a whirlwind. Last time you heard from us school had still not started, and life was going by at a lazy relaxing pace. Well that has all changed! I have barely had time to do anything since I officially started my internship. I began in late August, and it has definitely been a learning and growing experience. If you don't know I am at the Bear River Substance Abuse division of Bear River Health Dept. which serves Cache, Rich, and Box Elder counties. I have seen a lot of the sad things that happen when people get themselves caught in the web of addiction and substance abuse. On the other hand, I have seen how wonderful it is when people commit to turn their lives around and change their way of thinking. I do this about 16 hours a week, and when you combine that with being a full time student, working about 25 hours a week, being an elders quorum teacher, helping run the Utah State chapter of NASW (National Association of Social Workers) and above all keeping my dear wife happy (which isn't too hard to do since we love each other so darn much!), it makes one feel a little worn out at times. But it has been a wonderful experience learning about myself and preparing myself for the future. I have had a number of really exciting things happen this beautiful autumn season

1. I have had an excellent time fishing, I may not have had as much time these past couple weeks, but autumn is magic time for fly fishing, and there have been days where I've caught them 15 at a time ( I let them all go though). I may be going fishing with my father in law this Friday at East Canyon reservoir, I'll let you know how it goes!

2. I have discovered Smokin Blues BBQ restaurant. Went there with friends Robert "Rising Sun" Kitteridge and Kyle "Alpine Tamer" Apblanalp. Unfortunately Josh "Early to Bed" Thompson couldn't join us. I think about Smokin Blues all the time. I think about the delicious BBQ sauces gently caressing the slow cooked pork ribs, in their secret recipe dry rub. This heavenly vision haunts me by day, and flits through my dreams at night, like a delicious aromatic phantom. I have told Amber that once I finish this insanely busy semester I am going to treat myself to a full rack of ribs and triumphantly proclaim my victory over finals and hunger!

3. My dear parents were able to go on a much needed vacation to Hawaii. I guess my dad was pretty wild from what my mom was saying. I'm glad they could go since my mom works so very hard managing the Operating Room at Alta View Hospital. My dad, for those of you who don't know, has had a very strange chronic illness for almost 7 years now. Everyday he struggles with it and it can be very discouraging both to him and to those who love him so very dearly. From what I've heard they had fun, and that makes me happy.

4. I can watch MonsterQuest and shows about ghosts whenever I want! A little while ago, Amber's good natured sister and husband let us borrow their wii, and also let us share the streaming netflix with them. With such shows on netflix, I can show Amber or as I like to call her "the mean skeptic who doesn't believe in anything cool" that there are interesting things out there in the world. I will go over some of those!


Bigfoot! Did you know that when they did a computer analysis of this video they actually found that there were facial movements being done by the creature, which would have been very difficult to do if there was a mask. I know that there are several theories about how this is a hoax, and some folks have even claimed they were the ones in the suit (that's what Amber thinks), but monsterquest showed me some interesting things that could prove otherwise. I wonder if we're looking at Cain right now...

















Lake Monsters! This here is supposedly Champ, a plesiosaur like creature. This is the "mansi photograph" which was taken in the late 70's. Interestingly on Monsterquest one researcher shared some sonar that she recorded while researching the lake. She recorded what sounded like whales or dolphins clicking at each other, but when compared to such animals, the sounds were distinctly different. What could be in lake Champlain? Amber says this picture is a log and the clicks were just sounds from another ship doing sonar. Oh silly Amber!








Giant Birds! Apparently giant birds were being sighted in Illinois in the late 70's and there was even a case where a small boy was momentarily snatched by one. Man is that scary! Amber didn't quite know what to say (she didn't believe it though). If it was me and I was near a giant birds I'd have two thoughts. First, I'd hope that I didn't have any birdseed on me. Second, I'd want to be at my Gpa Bob's house, he has lots of shotguns (and ice cream).




Ghosts! Amber doesn't believe in ghosts, but I do. I could tell a few ghost stories but I won't because I don't want to scare you away from our blog, I like you. However ever since we got married kitchen stuff sometimes get misplaced in different drawers, usually on the nights I do dishes. I of course am a guy and as a former bachelor can say with confidence that I know where stuff goes. So if anything, I think a ghost is misplacing things to make me look foolish in front of Amber! I try to tell Amber this but she just says I need to do more dishes to memorize things. My reply is I don't think it would be a good idea for me to do dishes if there is going to be paranormal activity involved.

Now as of writing this Amber said she didn't want to write anything, because she has nothing to say. being her husband I feel to let all of you know that I could not ask for a better wife, who loves me even though I have lots of flaws. She is such a strength to me and I have a hard time not smiling when I'm with her.