My Homeboy

So over at the Ski Utah website they are selling T-shirts with a Yeti on them. This is quite possibly the awesomest looking Yeti that I have ever seen. With his skis strapped to his back complete with avalanche gear I wanna meet this abominable skiing snowman. I think we'd be homeboys. We could rip the steeps all over the Wasatch, and hike for powder on an epic day. Or maybe he and I could finally make the ascent of Timp and ski the front face. hey maybe he can come be a heathen with me this Sunday as I take a near once in a lifetime opportunity to ski on my birthday. At any rate he is obviously one cool hombre.

What to do...What to do...

So my birthday is this week. I have even worked a minor miracle and managed to get a Saturday off in order to take the time to celebrate. The only trick is I am not sure HOW to celebrate. I am torn for what I actually want to do. I have considered being a heathen and skiing on my birthday(which happens to fall on a Sunday this year). But I am tempted simply because I have never been in a position to ski on my birthday. Real, honest to goodness, lift served skiing on the first of June. Snowbird is running that day and so I may very well go make some turns before putting the Recons away for the summer. I am trying to figure out what to do with my free Saturday. Last year I had a kegger party with some varied success. I was a little disappointed that people didn't stick around and party but alas it is what it is. The keg is probably out for this year but should make a triumphant return for "JR's XXX Birthday" next year (that's roman numeral 30). So this year is likely to be a bit more low key but I still want to have a good time. So perhaps riding some roller coasters at Lagoon will be the choice. The weather is supposed to cooperate with highs in the 80's.
Its funny I really don't feel any older. if anything I feel younger. but that 1979 in my birth date tells me otherwise. I get to be the same age as my mom this year. That oughtta make her happy. :)

Rain

So being from Seattle I am not afraid of the rain. Many days I even welcome it. But this morning I caught myself in a moment of Utah wimpiness... I considered getting my zip-on hood for my Gore-tex jacket because of the downpour outside. I quickly shook myself out of the strange funk that had gripped me and put my head down like a good Seattleite and met the rain head on. The rains are due to continue to the weekend so it will be a respite from the sunny and mid 90's heat from the weekend. It is a double edged sword. The heat outside was nice but running the AC in my apartment is PRICEY!!! So the rain allows me to sleep more comfortably and keeps my wallet healthier. :)

the bottom line is I am so bored at work that I am blogging about the weather... yeah You said it I need a new job.

JR's Wishlist

So my birthday is coming up. and I got to thinking. With my new found budget and my goal of being out of debt by the time I turn 32 I wont be spending tons on toys but I think it is still important for me to put away a little from each check for "mad money" spending. So I wanted to compile a list of stuff that I am wanting to purchase for myself. Some of its gear I need for backcountry skiing with my pops, some of it is stuff I just wanna get cuz... i want to. And as long as I do it with cash and not to the detriment of my more far reaching goal then I feel justified.
Here is the list:
1. K2 Shuksan Backcountry skis
2. A/T binding for said ski
3. Garmont Radium A/T Boots
4. A Mountian bike with which to enjoy the incredible terrain in Utah.
5. SigSauer P229 .40 Caliber
6. I'm sure the list will grow over time...

Mad skillz and dealin drugz

So my cousin who works in pharmaceutical sales told me that I need to put together a "brag book" so that I can show off my mad skillz. This is a book that basically shows a potential employer why I'm so cool and they should therefore hire me. So I get to show off my serious nunchuck skillz ( with the Wii anyway), my bow staff skillz (a broom/mop handle works right?) and my Jedi Mind tricks (convincing my Calculus professor to give me a B when I had originally been scored a D has to be a Jedi mind trick.) The problem I have with the brag book is that I like others to realize that I kick some serious arse without having to show them. If I have to point it out its sorta like having to explain the punch line to a joke, it loses its effect. But the bottom line is this. JR is a pretty killer salesman and if you give him a job he might just be the best drug dealer you've ever hired.

The end of the internet

It is quite frustrating when i am at work and I reach the end of the Internet. I got to that point again today just before deciding to blog about it. There is nothing worse than needing good quality online entertainment and be devoid of it. Granted out work firewalls block a few items that could supply endless hours of entertainment such as YouTube or any of the social networking sites but you would think that in the vastness of the World Wide Web that I could find something that would entertain me as I look outside the window and see near 70 degrees and partly cloudy skies. My typical list of things to do runs something like this. Check on the Mariners(yes this is terribly painful of late), next is BYU football, followed by anything new in the Wireless world, followed by checking on the most addictive site on the Internet SteepAndCheap.com. At this point I run out. I have read most of the relevant news for the day by virtue of being on the Seattle Times web page or one of the rags in Salt Lake. So i ask. WHAT ELSE CAN I READ and not get fired, thrown in Jail, or disowned by my loving parents?

Total Money Makeover

So for graduation my parents got me a book. The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey. Ramsey is a guy who has a radio talk show and gives financial advice. He has been through the wringer having gone bankrupt in his late 20's and then risen back to millionare status by helping other people not make those mistakes that he did. Pretty noble. I enjoyed the book a great deal and realized that I need to make a few changes in order to be financially healthy. The motto of the book is "Live like no on else so later you can LIVE like no one else." My parents have become Ramsey converts. After reading the book I too have decided that following his "baby steps" will help me to better financial health. The first step? Establishing a $1000 emergency fund. I am half way there after selling a few toys that would get better use from a new owner. Once my emergency fund is in place then I will start tackling the debt that I have racked up. my goal is to not turn 31 with any debt. Now this is a Huge goal considering when I say no debt I mean no student loans no NADA. I feel like this will set me up so that by the time I am 35 I will be financially secure and able to do anything that I like. I think these are realistic but definately streching goals. But how sweet will it be when I am financially free to do as I please. :)

Great Picture

Creative Juices... & mixed random thoughts

So the last few days I have been trying to feel creative and to come up with a blog post that would be fun... yet I have been woefully inadequate. I simply cant get a good feel of the creative flow. I am not entirely sure why.
My birthday is upcoming. 4 weeks from yesterday. I can t believe I am going to be 29, and 2 days later Makayla turns 5. I am not old enough to have a 5 year old. That reminds me it is time to get pictures taken with she and I again. I will need to call my friend John Tahero so he can shoot those for us. Pictures are fun to take with Kayla and always come out good. They have become my annual birthday gift to myself since the divorce.
I have been contacted by a few head hunters looking for sales people. I will see what happens but I am not convinced that I want anything they are offering. i dont want to take a pay rate cut. I cant afford to. So basically I want everything I now have AND something better. yes yes I want my cake and I want to eat it too. But hey I'm worth it.

Time to read

One really great side effect of not having to deal with school any longer is that I get to read books that I WANT to read. I have re-found my love for reading a good spy novel. Right now I am neck deep in "The Invisible" by Andrew Britton. I really enjoy the author. After I finish this one I will delve into a couple new ones. Perhaps a Grisham novel or my roommate has a new one that he is reading that I might steal. It is rather refreshing to be able to spend my free time as I see fit. This coming week I plan on spending some time in the gym in a renewed effort to get back on my LGN (Look Good Naked) diet. and maybe just maybe I can gain those extra 10 pounds that I have been after for the past year plus. :) And, no, I'm sorry... I have tried but I cannot take anyones' extra 10 pounds that they are trying to lose... sadly it just doesnt work this way.

The Job Hunt

So now that I have graduated, and am moving on in life, it is time to find a new job. I have worked in the cell phone arena for quite some time now but I am getting a little burnt out. I have been in contact with some friends who are in the pharmaceutical sales arena and I am hoping to get some interviews and move away from wireless. It is refreshing to not have school to worry about anymore yet I find myslef with much more free time than i am accustomed to. But I still have yet to get any more sleep. Go figure.
I went and saw Ironman last night. GO SEE IT!!! Fantastic movie. I was thouroughly impressed. I am sure I will see it again. As a consequence of seeing it the movie got out at about 1:30 am. so needless to say my butt was draggin this morning when I had to open the store at 8:30 am. Whenever I get a brilliant idea like a late movie my body makes sure to remind me that I am a lot closer to 30 than 20 or 25.
As if I needed further reminder tonight is daddy night. I am really excited to spend some QT with Makayla. Rest assured that by the end of the night I am going to be ready to crash.

Grades are in...

And its official I have completed all the requirements for graduation. I am so glad that I can close the book on that chpater of my life :) Here is a picutre of Makayla and I on graduation day.

Right after convocation I took off for San Diego as was previously noted. Here are some more pictures.

Us at the Santa Monica Pier
We went to the San Diego Zoo for Michelle's Birthday.

This was of the stern (nautical term) of the harbor cruiser that we had dinner on for her birthday. It was a great evening.

I have been mulling over my next 'o so clever blog post and will post it once I find my clever side again. Needless to say I am pleased to be a BYU Alum and now I transition into "Find a better Job" mode. Pharmaceutical Sales here I come!!!