The quality of the stream and the sound of the music was amazing. I thought for sure they’d have technical issues with so many people tuning in for a STREAMING broadcast. But it was flawless! I was witness to something special tonight. Now they’re rebroadcasting and I’m going to have to force myself to go to bed. Five o’clock comes too early!! So much for getting to bed early tonight. It was worth it! They better come to Salt Lake City on their second North American leg of the tour!

Similar Posts:

• Utah's Brett Banford Representin' on “So You Think You Can Dance”  May 28, 2008
• Google Street View Makes it to SLC!  February 12, 2008
• Looking for “Tooele Jokes”???  May 16, 2006
• Rocky Rally II: Give Mercedes Benz a Chance!  March 19, 2007
• “Death To Israel” Rally in Salt Lake City  August 30, 2006

I was banking on the weather clearing, but when I paid my $9 entrance fee to enter Antelope Island State Park and heard the two rangers tell me that there was no hope of the weather clearing up today, my heart sank.  Nothing to do but hike the peak, no matter what the conditions.  It rained on me the entire way up the mountain.  The winds got pretty strong and the rain stung my face.  Despite the weather, it was one of the easiest peaks I’ve ever climbed.  The trail was great all the way up, despite the muddiness, and there were only a couple of exposed areas.

Upon reaching the top I took some pictures (not too much to look at when you’re in a cloud) and was about to head back down after only 15 minutes, but as I reached for my pack I noticed a flash of sky and a mountain off in the west.  As quickly as I saw it it disappeared.  But it gave me a glimmer of hope that the storm was about to clear.  Another flash, and another!  Sure enough, the clouds started to clear out.

I ended up staying on top for an hour and a half and by the time I headed down I had a clear view all the way to the Wasatch mountains to the east. It was awesome! I can’t wait for the next peak!

Similar Posts:

• Peak Fever  November 3, 2010
• Biking Video Among Google's “Now Free” Vids  June 26, 2006
• Commencing Epic Adventure!  August 10, 2009
• U2 Cosmic Light Show = Crap  March 16, 2008
• A Great Poem by Matt Fisher (1995)  February 23, 2007

One comment Heather made during the interview that didn’t go live was about her trust in the board members that we elected to make decisions on our behalf.  I would like to echo that sentiment and thank the Tooele County School Board and Administration for making some really tough decisions about the future of our children.  I have no doubt that they deliberated hard and long and thought about the impact that their judgment would have on our children.   I hope that despite tough times, public school funding will continue as more difficult decisions are made in the 2009 Legislative session.

While it may be prudent to tighten the proverbial belt in uncertain times, it would be irresponsible if we didn’t continue to make education a priority.  It’s the same type of decision that we all make in our own families when the budget is tight.   A responsible family doesn’t spend a lot of money on vacations if they’re not going to have enough money to pay their bills.  If that still doesn’t cut it, a responsible family cancels their cable TV and they figure out other ways they can save money, even when it means  a little discomfort on the part of the parents.  The very last person to suffer (if at all) is the child.

Parents sacrifice a lot to make sure their children are happy, and it shouldn’t be too much different when it comes to our schools.  We all want the best for our children and  Tooele County School District is making the same types of decisions that fall right in line with the decisions a  responsible family would be making.  Of course, with tough decisions comes some tough criticism.  As long as it is constructive and not hostile, I’m sure the Board would love to hear from you.  They meet again on February 3 at 6:30 p.m. at the District Office.

Video Courtesy of KSL.com
(Begins with a short commercial)Similar Posts:

• Tooele County School Board Says Farewell to Superintendent  May 20, 2008
• Blogging about Education Issues Not Popular?  May 3, 2008
• Tooele Six Flags Rumors Squelched, But We Still Have MMP!  June 11, 2006
• PTA Stands Up For Children, Regardless of Consequences  March 6, 2009
• PTA Parents Know Best – New Referendum 1 Ad  October 23, 2007

First we were able to get out in a Mustang on closed course track with cones.  We took three rounds through the course to get a feel for it, but their advise to us was to drive the car like we stole it.  I’ve never in my life driven something with that much power!  It was pretty dang sweet!  After we warmed up we took three laps around as they timed us.  I wasn’t the best, but I wasn’t the worst either.  And I never hit any cones, so that was good.

After driving the Mustangs you wouldn’t think that it could get much cooler, but it actually did.  The coolest part of the experience is when we rode shotgun with professional drivers around the actual race track!  Their were three cars out there jockeying for position on the track, just like they would in a real race.  The only thing they held back on was actual tapping.  That’s what they do in a real race that so often ends with a car off the track, so I’m glad they held back a little.  I had my little camera so i pulled it out and flipped it into video mode and took some low-quality video of the experience.  This video doesn’t do it justice, but you’ll still get the idea.  It was a lot of fun!

• Tooele Six Flags Rumors Squelched, But We Still Have MMP!  June 11, 2006
• Commencing Epic Adventure!  August 10, 2009
• One year later…what a difference!  May 7, 2011
• Ryan Leech Rides Like No Other  April 26, 2006
• A Great Poem by Matt Fisher (1995)  February 23, 2007

Brett is a very outspoken and charismatic athlete and he loves everyone he meets.  He told Kat he loved her on the show, but he told me that before, too.  He represented Special Olympics and people with disabilities so well tonight; we can all be proud.  I’ll upload his highlights and post it soon so you can all enjoy his performance and words of inspiration if you missed tonight’s episode.  His personality is addictive!

Way to go, Brett!

UPDATE: You can also see him in an interview on Fox 13 News.

• U2 Live Webcast Was Awesome!  October 26, 2009
• Ski for $25 at Brighton this Saturday!  December 8, 2006
• Special Olympics Project Finished  February 7, 2006
• Rocky Rally II: Give Mercedes Benz a Chance!  March 19, 2007
• Google Street View Makes it to SLC!  February 12, 2008

I also have a cousin (Kerstin Tenney) that recently made it into the Orchestra at Temple Square. She plays the violin. They recently performed with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir at the rededication of the Utah State Capitol building and Kerstin is featured at the 4:10 mark and the 7:00 mark. It was written by Kurt Bestor, a composer I’ve loved ever since the “Innovators” release.

Similar Posts:

• Stake Conference + Kids = ?  March 12, 2006
• 20 Minutes Until Choir Practice  February 5, 2006
• Ronaldinho – Soccer Genius  January 16, 2006
• Salt Lake Mall Shooting: Home Grown Jihad?  February 13, 2007
• U2 Cosmic Light Show = Crap  March 16, 2008

The Gooseberry Mesa Adventure – Part I

The Gooseberry Mesa Adventure – Part II

The Gooseberry Mesa Adventure – Part III

The Gooseberry Mesa Adventure – Part IV

Another wonderful spring day makes me want it to be spring for real, all the more! Good news is that Matt called me today and told me we’re going biking this Saturday. Bad news is, the weather forecast for this weekend is predicting rain! Dang it! At least it’s not snow.Similar Posts:

• Gooseberry Memories Make Me Want Spring!  March 7, 2008
• Colorado Adventures – Day 1  August 14, 2009
• Flying High in Moab, Utah!  April 1, 2006
• Biking Video Among Google's “Now Free” Vids  June 26, 2006
• Tracking Flights Live with Google Earth  March 17, 2006

• More Gooseberry Mesa Adventures  March 12, 2008
• Colorado Adventures – Day 1  August 14, 2009
• Flying High in Moab, Utah!  April 1, 2006
• Tracking Flights Live with Google Earth  March 17, 2006
• New Features on Google Video  January 12, 2006

• Taralyn Appears on “The Price Is Right”!  December 21, 2006
• Man soll English lernen, es ist wichtig!  February 21, 2006
• New Features on Google Video  January 12, 2006
• VIDEO: Sniper shoots Georgian reporter during live broadcast  August 14, 2008
• Friends Appear on AFV with Dog, Sassy  November 4, 2006

Similar Posts:

• More Gooseberry Mesa Adventures  March 12, 2008
• U2 Live Webcast Was Awesome!  October 26, 2009
• Friends are great, family are wonderful!  January 8, 2006
• Biking Video Among Google's “Now Free” Vids  June 26, 2006
• New Video Blog Plugin (Failed)  February 8, 2006