Flesh, Bone, and Dreadlocks

day 3 of the master cleanse

2010-08-27T22:11:00.001-06:00

today started out great!
i had extra energy and again was amazed at what the body can do with no food.
i do seem to be easier to get cranky. but i get out of it quick.
by 8 or 9 though, i was really hungry! really really hungry...i didnt give in to temptation and instead tried the salt water flush. oh my! chugging the salt water was awful...then 40 minutes later i felt disgusting. then everything just came out. i felt bloated in the abdomen and generally just not good.
in my head though, i know its for the good cause of cleansing my systems. and i do feel that the toxins are leaving.
i decided today that im going to see how tomorrow goes and if i cant stand it ill ease my way back into a regular diet.
still at 214 but i look a lot thinner...hopefully i can put the weight back when this is over.

day 3 of the master cleanse

2010-08-27T22:11:00.000-06:00

Day 2 of Master Cleanse

2010-08-26T15:58:00.003-06:00

Well this morning I felt great!
My body definitely knows that it isn't getting food anytime soon, but it seems to be okay with it. I do feel hungry though, but I've felt hungrier going from lunch to a late dinner, so its not bad.
I'm surprised at how much energy I do have still. Hopefully it keeps up.
I've been going to the gym to keep my muscles in check, and I'm at 214 now...getting skinny for this 6'4" frame.
Looking forward to getting through this cleanse!
On to day 3.

Day 1 of actual Master Cleanse

2010-08-25T16:26:00.002-06:00

So today was the first day of the Lemonade, Cayenne, Maple Syrup concoction.
Feeling kinda hungry today...any thought of food turns into a strange psychological struggle. I can visualize and feel the food in my mouth...weird.

but I'm staying strong. I don't think it will be too hard. I'm shooting for ten days, so I got nine more to go.

I went to the gym last night, not sure if I should be working out with no calorie intake, but I weighed myself and I lost 6 pounds already...probably more today.
Argh, that's too much. I wish it wasn't so drastic.

oh well on to day 2

MASTER CLEANSE DAY 3 Orange Juice Day

2010-08-24T14:51:00.004-06:00

3 days ago I decided to start a Master Cleanse, also known as the Lemonade Diet.
The First three days are considered the Ease In period...
Day 1 consisted of raw fruits and veggies and juice
Day 2 consisted of liquids only, soup, juice, smoothies
And now Day 3 is just orange juice.

To my surprise, I'm not very hungry, yet. I guess the psychological side of knowing that I'm doing this for a good reason is helping to quell the hunger.
Tomorrow I begin the main part of the cleanse which consists of lemon juice, mixed with maple syrup and cayenne pepper.
This will hopefully push out all of the toxins and crap in my digestive system and leave me cleansed. I plan on changing my diet to that of a much healthier person afterwards as well...though lately I've been eating very well, I just want to make sure I'm treating my body well.

Hopefully my weight won't fluctuate too much, but the loss of a few pounds will be helpful. I'm at my heaviest right now, 222 lbs., though I'm in great shape so I think this is where I'm supposed to be...maybe even heavier.

Mistaken Glance

2009-10-21T12:58:00.002-06:00

Mistaken Glance
Shawty checking style so I made advance
Stepped to her, but it seems that I mistook her glance
Eyes rolled up, showed me her back
Did not admit defeat, just strengthened my attack
“Hey Gorgeous, what are you about?”
“You don’t wanna be here, when my man comes out!”
Her smile indicated jokes and that she enjoyed my plan
Gave me her hand and I helped her stand.
Dark like a fresh cup of coffee no cream
Two sugars, so sweet, percolating my dream
Caffeinated melody, high octane supreme
Expression reaction made frothy with steam
Vision correct, now my interest provoked
The scene painted smooth
Knew it was the right groove
Brush strokes insisted that I made the right move
Before this rain starts pouring
Pull those out and start exploring
The reasons for that to get these in
Getting hott but your ears are freezin
Like the Queen and this be the hive with bees in
Soldier style, not worker, but I’ll work for you
Bring the honey to the pot, so it won’t hurt for you
Sting your most sensitive spot
The buzz from Patron is getting you got
Sweetest dark berry on the bush
Juicy flow jiggles round on the push
Eyes half mast, pounded on the Kush
Puffing light sugar trees, don’t tell, shush
It must be the ass
That’s got me all hot
You know what I mean
Cuz you’re clappin what you got
And don’t stop
Even if you did that ass wouldn’t
Let’s connect waistlines
Place my hands where I shouldn’t
Dominating dance floors seems like your pastime
Let’s get all Jamaican and begin a fast wine.
You put it in the air
Fly dress, flyness looking so debonaire.
Get in the place that cause jealousy
I could stay there all night, but let us see
Contentment all around, so this must be
The most beautiful place, you got to trust me.

Replaced glass in some windows

2009-10-12T15:43:00.003-06:00

I just wanted to let everyone know that I replaced glass in a few windows at my mother's place and I'm proud of myself. I knew now how to do such a thing before I started, but with a little help from an easy guide I found online...it was a lot easier than expected. The only hard part of it was removing sheets of glass from an older window, rather than buying brand new sheets. But once I had them removed the rest was cake. Glazing a window is actually kind of fun.
Here is the site I used to help me, and I highly recommend it.

http://www.doityourself.com/stry/h2replaceawindow

@TobinJames

2009-10-12T14:59:00.001-06:00

I just joined the Twitter ish...nothing interesting yet, but it looks like there's lots to discover.
I will tweet you sooo good!

Road Trippin in the Pacific Northwest

2009-08-31T13:53:00.004-06:00

Flowing into Portland last Tuesday, began a work-related road trip of minor proportions through the Southwest chunk of Washington and a sliver of Oregon. Though minor, it was a great exploration of what Washington has to offer as well as a part of Oregon I've never had the wonder of experiencing. In fact the picture above is of myself loving the sun in Seaside, Oregon. Seaside is a tiny tourist town, which lies a half hour from Astoria on the coast. They have a surfing community and a really cool and large sandy beach. It was so nice to get my feet in the ocean again...it was been since the last time I was in Oregon and hit the ocean up in Coos Bay.
So here's my town lineup:
Landed in Portland, Oregon...I could live on the outskirts of P-Town...the dirtiness of the city turns me off though. Overall its a great place though.
From there I went to The Dalles, Oregon. An interesting town with a strong older population being infiltrated by a youthful one. I ate at the Spud Cellar which was really good!
Then to Yakima, Washington, which I had a different idea of what kind of town this was. It seems like Central Washington has a bit of a redneck feel in some spots. Big ups to Pacific River & Alpine Sports, a great place to hit up if you need outdoor gear when you're in Yakima.
From Yakima, the road took me to Wenatchee, Washington...it was hot up there! Stopped into a cool shop called Revolution Snow and Skate, which had a nice skatepark set up in the back.
Then it was on to Leavenworth, Washington. This town is at the mouth of the Cascade Mountains and was set up like a Bavarian Village to attract tourism, and I guess it worked because it was bustling.
From there I drove through Goldbar, Washington on my way to Bellevue. Goldbar is hardly noticed unless you need gas or something, but the mountainous terrain in the background is nice.
Bellevue, Washington is a large city connected to Seattle. The drivers there can be very rude, just like Seattle. Overall, I'd stay away from this place, unless I go back for more business. I'm not a fan of big cities anymore. Even though I reside in Salt Lake still :)
From Bellevue, came Olympia, Washington. Olympia is a really cool city...it keeps a small-city feel. Check The Alpine Experience for gear out there...a sweet shop!
Then I got the treat of driving to Astoria, Oregon. What a beautiful drive!! I highly suggest driving on Highway 101, whenever and wherever you can. I <3 the ocean so much. And driving into Astoria across the long bridge is awesome. Astoria has a really nice feel...this is a town I could move to, though I hear that I came during the best month. From September to June is supposed to be overcast...don't know if I could handle that.
The Goonies was filmed in and around this town...love that movie big time!
Then, as I mentioned before I hit up Seaside, Oregon.
And then I made my final length of road back towards Portland. I had a wonderful meal at the Tin Shed with some friends. I highly recommend that place for some delicious grub!!
I flew home a few days after arriving in Portland and my adventure was completed.

Dreads is gone.

2009-07-27T11:31:00.003-06:00

well it happened...I got the courage up enough to let wifey chop the dreads off. Wow, almost 6 years of loving those things is gone and I don't miss em' too much. Though I feel a little less cool and way more ordinary, but its all G. I don't know what to do with the dreads, so for now they are just chilling...I should try to make some kind of wall hanging dealy. :) My boss suggested a beaded curtain of sorts. I haven't had short hair since like 1999, so I have no clue what to do with it...mostly I just let it go crazy. And now I begin the long journey onto my third set. I've heard that your third set of dreads is the best, since you figure out all the common mistakes. One major mistake, that led to their demise, was that I chopped all the fly aways and loosies. and that led to thick bottoms and thin tops. Next time I won't make that mistake.

Hunting with sharks as helpers

2009-06-17T12:09:00.001-06:00

So I began a career hunting underwater with my hunting sharks.
We catch squids mostly and let them go...its just for sport, and I think the squids like it.
We also catch mermaids, tuna, and mad plankton.
Anyone who'd like to join, should strap on their wet suits and kick it with me.

My baby girl is a Velociraptor

2009-05-27T14:59:00.001-06:00

I’m beginning to think that my baby girl is part velociraptor. She makes noises and claws the air just like a raptor baby would do. Like when she’s nursing or sucking on the pacifier, she makes grunty dinosaur noises that make me wonder. I half expect her to get on her hinds legs and tuck her arms up and run around cackling at everything that moves. Perhaps when she can walk…anyways, I just thought I should put that out there. Anyone else have a raptor baby?

Liberty Mountain

2009-05-12T10:42:00.002-06:00

I wanted to throw up my current employer, Liberty Mountain, for being such a great company to work for, especially when times is hard. The industry is keeping steady, and people must be in the outdoors more cuz bizness is sweet. That might be a bad thing, for more bodies are taking up trail space, but its all good as long as people are being respectful.
Check out and . on the pro site you can see a cool pic of me climbing in Little Cottonwood Canyon.

Props to the owner Gary Heward for being a standup guy and running a good show!

Louis Logic

2009-05-12T10:11:00.000-06:00

Last night I had the chance to see one of the underrated Emcees around right now, Louis Logic. Though the crowd was tiny, he seemed into the show and his style and rhymes were amazing. I'm a big fan of the dude, so I hope he keeps rock rockin it.
check out to hear some of his music and what not. Big ups Logic!! aka the Drunken Dragon.

The lil one arrives

2009-04-27T11:04:00.003-06:00

So she did it! She finally arrived on Friday April the 24th at 8:53 pm. She's a taurus. Born at 6lbs 11 oz, with almost 20 inches in length. I am so excited and amazed and thrilled and emotional and I could use every positive word in the world to describe the experience. Watching her emerge from the birth path was just incredible. And she came out sunny side up as they call it, or posterior. Momma went all natural too. Which she is very empowered by and for good reason. She followed in the footsteps of every woman in the history of mankind that gave birth before the days of medication or the rare ones nowadays that are brave enough to try. So amazing!
We call her Dru. Unles we decide to change it.

Patiently Waiting

2009-04-17T16:07:00.002-06:00

The anticipation is killing me…where is she . I’m referring to my unborn. Though her due date is April 30th, 2009, she has dropped down in the birth path, and her mother is dilated to about a 2 now. She keeps thinking that it could be any second. I’m thinking it will be this Saturday…but really, who knows. Our little baby could hold up until she’s at 40 weeks, for all I know. Oh and I believe we finally decided on a name…but I won’t actually write it in until it’s a final.
Ahh…well all I can do is wait now.
Tick Tick baby…something big is supposed to happen around the 19th of April, 2009, according to Terrence McKenna’s Novelty or Time-Wave Zero theory. I’m thinking that its my baby. My dad’s wife still has yet to deliver her baby too. My half-sibling that is. So perhaps my girl and her are going to synchronize their labor…even though they have never met before…they still have similar genetics in their wombs. If they both show up on the 19th, then I will believe that Terrence is right in his predictions.

Heaviest

2009-04-14T11:31:00.000-06:00

So I’ve reached my heaviest poundage to date. I’m at about 212 lbs, which is technically about 8 pounds less than I want to be. Though I’m sure my dreads carry a few pounds in them, so I may have about 10 or so pounds to go. I’d like to be 220. My 6 foot 4 frame evens the weight out luckily, but you can tell if you look closely. Haha! No more abs …but they’ll be back…I hope. Of course my weight is convertible weight, that I will need to turn to muscle here once our baby is born. But I’m ready, I’ve got the fuel to get me to where I want to be.

4 foot plus wingspan

2009-04-05T21:12:00.002-06:00

So my dreads measure in at an impresive 2 feet long...well not every single one but the longs ones all do. So when I pull them out to measure my wingspan, with my head being about 6 inches across, that makes 4 foot six inches or so. They feel so long on my back now...though they don't quite reach my booty yet.

Only a few weeks left

2009-04-03T10:29:00.004-06:00

In two weeks the fetus my woman and I created will become "full-term", meaning that she could arrive from the womb at any time after that. I predict a late April/early May birth, however the fetus's mother predicts that she will go upon arriving at full term. Both predictions are close, so neither of us will be far off. I've never wanted to meet someone so bad. This pregnancy has been a cakewalk for me, for Rachel it has been a different sort of cake. The heavy, taking up body cavity space, waking up from sleep cause you're being kicked from the inside-out, managed to get even more beautiful and sexy cake. I love her so much...it will be nice to be able to cuddle up with her and not worry about squishing a fetus. I can't wait to marry her. I can't wait to have this cute little family with a son and daughter and two smart, beautiful, loving parents. It sounds like bragging, but our kids will be very lucky! Both Rachel and I didn't come from "normal" nuclear families, and though it made us who we are today, I'm sure both of us would have rather had two positive parental figures in our lives.
Anyways...soon a post of size weight and cuteness will be up.

20 Questions

2009-03-27T15:47:00.002-06:00

1.When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I knew I wanted to work with animals in some way. Vet, scientist, paleontologist, etc. That’s why I got ended up getting a biology degree.

2. What have you done in the past week to help someone else?
I helped carry in a few big water bottles in for the tattoo parlor I went to.

3. Who is the best-dressed person you know?
Myself

4. What is on your nightstand?
clock, magazines, pictures of Hawaii, money

5. If you were a cat, what kind of a cat would you be?
Orange Tabby

6. If you lived in a house surrounded by acres of trees, what particular type of tree would you want flourishing on your land?
plumeria, they smell soooo fucking good

7. What do you find to be very overrated?
rock and roll

8. How many email addresses do you have?
four

9. Have you ever felt replaced?
nope

10. Would you rather watch football or baseball?
football, though both are fun to play, baseball is boring to watch for me

11. What is the wallpaper on your phone?
Me and my babymomma

12. Name a lyric from the song you're listening to.
Fuck land, I’m on a boat motha fucker,
Fuck trees, I climb buoys motha fucker.
I’m on the deck with my boys motha fucker
The boat engine makes noise motha fucker.

13. Do you use a feed reader?
nope

14. What chocolate do you always leave in the box?
walnutted ones and ones with “fruit” shit in them

15. What would you do if you found out your ex is engaged?
wonder how much money he makes

16. Do words hurt you?
Yes, too often.

17. Are you a talker or a listener? Is it ever possible to really be both?
I am both actually

18. Have you ever walked on the beach at night?
so many times…it’s a magical experience when the moon is out, especially while in Hawaii.

19. Who is your favorite professional athlete?
Alex Puccio, Nicky Dyal, Collette McInerney, Uriah Faver, Tony Hawk, depends on the sport I guess.

20. Which TV show have you seen pretty much every episode of?
there’s probably not one…

My first Ink Up

2009-03-25T18:29:00.002-06:00

I did it...I got my first tattoo...finally after all these years. And it came out great!! I went with the Hawaiian Island Chain idea from the list I posted earlier.
The addiction has already formed...they should just do a "first one's free" method, because the return will be there. I already see an ocean themed left arm.

Wow 5ish weeks to go

2009-03-24T12:02:00.002-06:00

Now the baby is 35 weeks old…which in fetal years is about 90 or so. She’s getting the last fattening stages completed and now she getting big. Her space is very limited inside the womb and her movements in there are fun to watch and feel. Her kidneys are fully developed now, and her liver can process some waste products. On average, fetusi of her age are around 5-6 lbs and are around 18 inches long…though she’s mine so she’s probably like 20 inches or longer. I’m curious as to how tall she will become upon completing her growth when she’s all grown up.
Its truly amazing to feel that her arrival is so eminent. Soon I will be able to hold her in my arms. I hope she likes me. Rachel says that I will never sleep the same…not from the lack of sleep in the beginning, but from the knowledge that they are here, and that something may happen to them. Perhaps this is a female thing. I will have to comment on that when I get to sleep next to her for the first time.

Hypnobirthing

2009-03-11T13:49:00.002-06:00

Last Monday my fiance and I attended a Hypnobirthing class at the University of Utah. This was the first of 5 classes explaining and teaching the Mognan Method of the style.
"We believe that every woman has within her the power to call upon her natural instincts to bring about the best possible birthing for her baby and herself"

-Marie F. Mongan

It boasts that less than half of the normal amounts of c-sections are required when using this method, and that 70% of vaginal births are unmedicated when using it. Those are great statistics as far as I'm concerned. Birthing vaginally is supposedly better for the baby, and creates a better connection. Mothers tend to be more in tune with the birth.
From what I'm used to hearing about births, they are painful and dreadful experiences. If Rachel can do this without extreme agony, and the methods and tools work, then I will be a very happy man, and I'm sure she will be a very happy woman as well. This will also allow me to be a bigger part of the birth experience. I will not only be able to catch the baby, but I will be responsible for keeping the peace and keeping her relaxed. I can do that!
The concept of HypnoBirthing is not new, but rather a "rebirth" of the philosophy of birthing as it existed thousands of years ago and as it was recaptured in the work of Dr. Grantly Dick-Read(odd name for an OB), an English obstetrician, who, in the 1920s, was one of the first to forward the concept of natural birthing. The method teaches you that, in the absence of fear and tension, or special medical circumstances, severe pain does not have to be an accompaniment of labor.
When I think of hypnosis, my mind flies towards the old hypnotist with a swinging pocket-watch, telling people they are getting sleepy. They describe the effects as less of a trance and more that it will be similar to daydreaming, or focusing that occurs when you are engrossed in a book or a movie or staring into a fire. I'll admit that at first I was a skeptic. And I still have these feelings like, well what if she forgets to use the methods or it all just goes out the door and she reverts to being afraid of the pain. I think the class will quell my nervousness and will expand both of our abilities to deal with pain in general. I could see myself using the techniques if I ever broke a bone in the backcountry orif I was with someone that was seriously injured, maybe I could help ease their pain a bit.
I will update more as the class progresses!
there are a few great videos on youtube if you just search for hypnobirth.

31 weeks and counting

2009-02-23T10:34:00.002-07:00

So my babygirl has like 9 weeks or so to go. Her mother and her are putting the final touches on her skeleton and brain connections. Fetal growth is adding around a half pound a week...she should be around 3.5 lbs or so right now. Everything still looks great for both mama and unborn. We have been gathering all the baby's stuff she will need...crib, bedding, play pen, shelves, clothes, clothes, clothes, diapers, swing, bibs, diaper genie, clothes, nursing pillows, etc. Babies require a lot of stuff. Makes me curious as to what our way-back ancestors did for their babies. Like caveman style. Did they fashion swings and cribs? Did they have cloth diaper service? Bottles? I often wonder about what they did for everything. How well did they understand pregnancy? Pain medication? Diaper genies? Sure would be interesting to learn about that, if its a possibility.
I just found a book that I need to check out, "Caveman's Guide to Baby's First Year "
I'll review it if I get it.

Now we just need to agree on a name...we have some great ideas, but still have yet to decide. We stopped thinking that Mattis or Mattie was a good idea, but Rachel still seems to call her that when she is talking about her :) We will figure it out though just wait and see.

Fetal Progress

2009-02-16T23:27:00.002-07:00

Everything is going great on the unborn front. Rachel is healthy, though the third trimester rarely treats a woman nicely. :) But she is being a trooper about it. We are looking at a late April - early May type birth. Which makes for not so much times to get completely ready, but we're working on that. One part of the transition that will be interesting, is the fact that Davynn gets a new baby sister. He's kinda the spot-lighted head-of-the-show type (in a good way though) So, he might take the baby as a bad addition to the show. (Like the red-head on Different Strokes) I'm not worried about major sibling rivalry or anything, but he might feel as though our attentions have changed focus. I will be trying my best to include him in everything, and be very attentive to his wants and needs. It may strengthen our bond, since mom will be boobing it up with the lil one. Of course I'll want to feed the baby too, though not in the same beautiful manner as my woman. It will be a delicate balance for all three of us.

Nourishment - not for the weak at heart. Kinda Gross.

2009-02-11T14:01:00.002-07:00

So I was thinking about the nourishment that my unborn baby is getting from her mom right now. Many of the food items that Rachel eats, will go to the baby's needs. So, then I was thinking about what about when she swallows my baby batter, the same stuff that makes the baby. The protein in that must go towards making the baby. Interesting to think about...then I was thinking about my girl's breast milk. When I drink that, it nourishes me, probably to make more baby batter. So that's kind of a recycling system. She nourishes me with milk that is made because of the baby inside her, I nourish her with the stuff that made the baby in the first place, the baby gets nourished. The same will go for when my baby is suckling, and the like. Any one else find this interesting, or am I just weird?

My dogs

2009-02-01T21:45:00.004-07:00

So on January 28th, 2009, my two wonderful dogs, Kingston and Selassie turned the 11. They were born back in 1998, brother and sister, and I got them when I was 18. They have had such a great life. I moved out to San Diego when they were still puppies, so they got to live at the beach for a while. I took them hiking almost everyday until they were 6 or 7, and then still on lots of hikes. They got to see all of Utah. Camped hundreds of nights in the wilderness. Played in avalanches. Found skunks a fun adversary. Found out why porcupines are not food. So, they got to see lots. It doesn't seem like they are slowing down anytime soon either. Selassie, my female, used to be an avid rock scrambler and all-round bad ass bitch. Four or five years ago she had to have both of her knees replaced due to torn acl's. They did TPL surgery on both of her hind legs. Since then she has been a little more reserved, but still rough-houses with her big brother all the time. Kingston might be loosing his vision, but he's still okay.
I love them in amazing amounts, so I thought I'd write a quick blog about how cool they are.
Happy belated Birfdays guys!!!
Kingston is the big black boi.
Selassie is the lil black and white gyal.
Mash it up.

Winter Outdoor Retailer Show 2009

2009-02-01T21:25:00.006-07:00

Another Winter Outdoor notch to add to my belt. This one was a tad bit slower and smaller than the ones in the past. But it was still a nice show overall. I had my usual 15 or so appointments to meet with clients from around my territory. I ran into the usualy suspects that inhabit the Salt Palace during these four outdoor gear filled days. Its interesting how I only see certain people at these shows. The industry is a beautiful one though. I've dedicated over 10 years of my life to various outdoor jobs. I was a manufacturer at Black Diamond for a year. I ran Rockreation, a local climbing gym for a couple of years, including setting gym routes and boulder problems. I worked 6 years at a local gear shop called Recreation Outlet. And now as of lately, I have earned myself almost 2 years at Liberty Mountain. So I've done it all from making the gear, selling the gear, buying the gear (for myself and companies) and repping the gear.

The OR show is always a load of fun. My son and beautiful fiance were able to come and enjoy a few parts of the days. I was able to drink a few brews.
I added pictures of me and Davynn.

Add you favorite Outdoor Retailer Show experience

Future Tats

2009-01-19T14:07:00.004-07:00

I'm writing this out because I've had tatoo ideas floating around in my head for most of my life and have yet to put them to ink. It's not a commitment thing, or a money thing(though that's putting them on hold currently ). For a while my excuse was that my body might grow either from eating a lot or getting buffed out. But I now understand that your skin can stretch and not do too much damage, at least not from the amount of bulk I'd put on. My pregnant girl has a tat on her lower stomach that is feeling the fetal pressures, but still looks great. So now my excuse is that I need to find an artist that could bring my visions to life correctly (how do I get Kat Von D now...hmm?) and I need to finalize where they would go. I like the forearm, shoulder, chest, leg, foot, and upper back ideas. And so I need to chose which idea for which area.

Here's the list that I want...in no particular order.

1. a Lion...I would like a large male lion, perhaps with a family that represents mine, i.e a female lioness, a juvenile male, and a juvenile female. But then my kids will grow up, so...I'm a little lost on the best way to represent them. I feel the lion idea works because they are family oriented and the lion is my power animal.

2. the Hawaiian Island Chain...I was born on Kauai and those islands feel like my true home. So its only right that they find a home on me. As of now I'd like the chain to start high on my forearm with the big island and then go up and around onto my biceps, like you would see it on a map.

3. a cuttlefish...dude, it's the smartest invertebrate out there. If you've never seen a video of how cool they are, I suggest youtubing that shit right now...its fucking awesome. They are said to have more intelligence then most birds and many small mammals. And they're cephlapods, which means their closest relatives are squids, octopi, and the nautilus

4. a plumeria...this is my favorite flower. They have the most pleasant scent, and when a whole tree is in bloom, its one of the most beautiful, good smelling, scene that nature can throw at you. It also goes along with my Hawaiian islands dealy.

5. the Wastach Front mountain range...Salt Lake has been my home for a good chunk of my life, and this mountain range has been a backdrop to my world the entire time. Along with that, I've spent countless hours climbing, playing, hiking, camping, skiing, boarding, and living in these mountains, so they hold a special meaning to me.

I included pictures so you'd have a better idea of what I'm talking about...these aren't what is going to ink, but something similar.

Turned into a fiancé

2009-01-12T08:49:00.005-07:00

Over the New Year's transition, I turned myself into a fiancé. Though Rachel asked me to marry her back on July 13th, 2008(6 days after we met for the first time), we just made it official with a bling and everything. I'm so glad she said yes! The marriage won't happen until the Year of the Tiger...which is 2010.

I'm so excited to have met my match. She's the one who is just enough like me to make it work, but then our differences make everything wonderful. What the other brings in, balances the other and vice versa. I started saying that "We don't always see eye to eye, but that's because I'm a foot taller, so that can be hard."

I've never been engaged before...for that matter, I've never even wanted to be engaged to anyone...sorry ex gf's. And with Rachel I knew right away. I've never found anyone I wanted to have kids with either, and after a few days of knowing each other we were already planning on going 50/50 on one. That's how I know she's the right one...that and she's just fantastic. I'm in love with everything about her.

Dreadlocks

2008-12-19T08:23:00.004-07:00

Here I stand Flesh, Bone, and Dreadlocks. I had to include another shot of my dreads...along with some other dope ones out there. The HR Giger one is wicked. I'm on my second set of dreads right now. The first ones were back in highschool and they didn't come out so well. But I missed them so much after I cut them off that I wanted them until I started my second set, which was 5 years later. Now I've had this current set for 5 years.

This town has a growing popularity for the hairstyle, so I get a lot of attention and love about them. The only problem that comes along with them is the stigma that I'm a hippie stoner. Well I am a stoner...so what? I'm here to change the impressions of dreads. They ain't just for the dirty.

Dreadlocks are the natural state of hair.

The first known examples of dreadlocks date back to ancient dynastic Egypt. Examples of Egyptians wearing locked hairstyles and wigs have appeared on bas-reliefs, statuary and other artifacts. Mummified remains of ancient Egyptians with locks, as well as locked wigs, also have been recovered from archaeological sites.
The Hindu deity Shiva and his followers were described in the scriptures as wearing "jaTaa", meaning "twisted locks of hair", probably derived from the Dravidian word "caTai", which means to twist or to wrap. The Greeks, the Pacific Ocean peoples, the Naga people and several ascetic groups within various major religions have at times worn their hair in locks, including the monks of the Ethiopian Coptic Church, the Nazirites of Judaism, the Sadhus of Hinduism, and the Dervishes of Islam among others. The very earliest Christians also may have worn this hairstyle. Particularly noteworthy are descriptions of James the Just, first Bishop of Jerusalem, who wore them to his ankles.
Locks may have also been part of Mesoamerican culture before the 16th century Spanish conquest.
In Senegal, the Baye Fall, followers of the Mouride movement, a sect of Islam indigenous to the country which was founded in 1887 by Shaykh Aamadu Bàmba Mbàkke, are famous for growing locks and wearing multi-colored gowns. Cheikh Ibra Fall, founder of the Baye Fall school of the Mouride Brotherhood, claims that he was "the first dread in West Africa".

In Jamaica the term dreadlocks was first recorded in the 1950s as a term for the "Young Black Faith", an early sect of the Rastafari which began among the marginalized poor of Jamaica in the 1930s, when they ceased to copy the particular hair style of Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia and began to wear dreadlocks instead. It was said that the wearer lived a "dread" life or a life in which he feared God, which gave birth to the modern name 'dreadlocks' for this ancient style.
Most Rastafari still attribute their dreadlocks to Selassie as well as the three Nazarite vows, in the Book of Numbers, the fourth of the books of the Pentateuch[citation needed].
All the days of the vow of his separation there shall no razor come upon his head: until the days be fulfilled, in the which he separateth himself unto the LORD, he shall be holy, and shall let the locks of the hair of his head grow. (Numbers 6:5, KJV)
Nazarites for life who wore locks and were mentioned in the Bible include the Nazarites Samuel, John the Baptist, and probably the most famous biblical figure with locked hair, Samson, who, according to scripture, had seven locks and lost his great strength when they were cut

Dread
1.
to fear greatly; be in extreme apprehension of: to dread death.
2.
to be reluctant to do, meet, or experience: I dread going to big parties.
3.
Archaic. to hold in respectful awe.–verb (used without object)
4.
to be in great fear.–noun
5.
terror or apprehension as to something in the future; great fear.
6.
a person or thing dreaded.
7.
dreads, Informal. dreadlocks.
8.
Informal. a person who wears dreadlocks.
9.
Archaic. deep awe or reverence.–adjective
10.
greatly feared; frightful; terrible.
11.
held in awe or reverential fear.

Lock

1.
a device for securing a door, gate, lid, drawer, or the like in position when closed, consisting of a bolt or system of bolts propelled and withdrawn by a mechanism operated by a key, dial, etc.
2.
a contrivance for fastening or securing something.
3.
(in a firearm)
a.
the mechanism that explodes the charge; gunlock.
b.
safety (def. 4).
4.
any device or part for stopping temporarily the motion of a mechanism.
5.
an enclosed chamber in a canal, dam, etc., with gates at each end, for raising or lowering vessels from one level to another by admitting or releasing water.
6.
an air lock or decompression chamber.
7.
complete and unchallenged control; an unbreakable hold: The congresswoman has a lock on the senatorial nomination.
8.
Slang. someone or something certain of success; sure thing: He's a lock to win the championship.
9.
Wrestling. any of various holds, esp. a hold secured on the arm, leg, or head: leg lock.
10.
Horology. (in an escapement) the overlap between a tooth of an escape wheel and the surface of the pallet locking it.
11.
Metalworking. a projection or recession in the mating face of a forging die.–verb (used with object)
12.
to fasten or secure (a door, window, building, etc.) by the operation of a lock or locks.
13.
to shut in a place fastened by a lock or locks, as for security or restraint.
14.
to make fast or immovable by or as if by a lock: He locked the steering wheel on his car.
15.
to make fast or immovable, as by engaging parts: to lock the wheels of a wagon.
16.
to join or unite firmly by interlinking or intertwining: to lock arms.
17.
to hold fast in an embrace: She was locked in his arms.
18.
to move (a ship) by means of a lock or locks, as in a canal (often fol. by through, in, out, down, or up).
19.
to furnish with locks, as a canal.–verb (used without object)
20.
to become locked: This door locks with a key.
21.
to become fastened, fixed, or interlocked: gears that lock into place.
22.
to go or pass by means of a lock or locks, as a vessel.
23.
to construct locks in waterways.—Verb phrases
24.
lock in,
a.
to commit unalterably: to lock in the nomination of the party's candidates.
b.
(of an investor) to be unable or unwilling to sell or shift securities.
25.
lock off, to enclose (a waterway) with a lock.
26.
lock on, to track or follow a target or object automatically by radar or other electronic means.
27.
lock out,
a.
to keep out by or as if by a lock.
b.
to subject (employees) to a lockout.
28.
lock up,
a.
to imprison for a crime.
b.
Printing. to make (type) immovable in a chase by securing the quoins.
c.
to fasten or secure with a lock or locks.
d.
to lock the doors of a house, automobile, etc.
e.
to fasten or fix firmly, as by engaging parts.—Idioms
29.
lock horns, to come into conflict; clash: to lock horns with a political opponent.
30.
lock, stock, and barrel, completely; entirely; including every part, item, or facet, no matter how small or insignificant: We bought the whole business, lock, stock, and barrel.
31.
under lock and key, securely locked up: The documents were under lock and key.

Bone

2008-12-18T14:09:00.003-07:00

On to the second word that cohabitates the title of my blog. Bone...when I think of this word two things come to mind. The first is a skeletal deal, like a femur or something. Then secondly I think of boning. Yeah I know...dirty mind. Does anyone else ever think like that? I think its funny to use it as a verb..."Do you wanna go bone?" Then there's Bone Thugs...cuz its tha First of tha Month. That Bone Bike is fucking sick, though it could use a skull on tha front.

I studied bones a bit in the anatomy and morphology classes I took at the University. The design that went into them is amazing. Parts of the skeleton form during the first few weeks after conception. By the end of the eighth week after conception, the skeletal pattern is formed in cartilage and connective tissue membranes and ossification begins. This is when the bones are hardening.

Here are there main functions:

Protection — Bones can serve to protect internal organs, such as the skull protecting the brain or the ribs protecting the heart and lungs.

Shape — Bones provide a frame to keep the body supported.

Blood production — The marrow, located within the medullary cavity of long bones and interstices of cancellous bone, produces blood cells in a process called haematopoiesis.

Mineral storage — Bones act as reserves of minerals important for the body, most notably calcium and phosphorus.

Fat Storage — The yellow bone marrow acts as a storage reserve of fatty acids

Movement — Bones, skeletal muscles, tendons, ligaments and joints function together to generate and transfer forces so that individual body parts or the whole body can be manipulated in three-dimensional space. The interaction between bone and muscle is studied in biomechanics.

Acid-base balance — Bone buffers the blood against excessive pH changes by absorbing or releasing alkaline salts.

Detoxification — Bone tissues can also store heavy metals and other foreign elements, removing them from the blood and reducing their effects on other tissues. These can later be gradually released for excretion.[citation needed]

Sound transduction — Bones are important in the mechanical aspect of hearing.

Here are the types of bone:

Long bones are characterized by a shaft, the diaphysis, that is much greater in length than width. They are comprised mostly of compact bone and lesser amounts of marrow, which is located within the medullary cavity, and spongy bone. Most bones of the limbs, including those of the fingers and toes, are long bones. The exceptions are those of the wrist, ankle and kneecap.

Short bones are roughly cube-shaped, and have only a thin layer of compact bone surrounding a spongy interior. The bones of the wrist and ankle are short bones, as are the sesamoid bones.

Flat bones are thin and generally curved, with two parallel layers of compact bones sandwiching a layer of spongy bone. Most of the bones of the skull are flat bones, as is the sternum.

Irregular bones do not fit into the above categories. They consist of thin layers of compact bone surrounding a spongy interior. As implied by the name, their shapes are irregular and complicated. The bones of the spine and hips are irregular bones.

Sesamoid bones are bones embedded in tendons. Since they act to hold the tendon further away from the joint, the angle of the tendon is increased and thus the force of the muscle is increased. Examples of sesamoid bones are the patella and the pisiform.

Here's Webster's definition:

1.
Anatomy, Zoology.
a.
one of the structures composing the skeleton of a vertebrate.
b.
the hard connective tissue forming the substance of the skeleton of most vertebrates, composed of a collagen-rich organic matrix impregnated with calcium, phosphate, and other minerals.
2.
such a structure from an edible animal, usually with meat adhering to it, as an article of food: Pea soup should be made with a ham bone.
3.
any of various similarly hard or structural animal substances, as ivory or whalebone.
4.
something made of or resembling such a substance.
5.
a small concession, intended to pacify or quiet; a conciliatory bribe or gift: The administration threw the student protesters a couple of bones, but refused to make any basic changes in the curriculum or requirements.
6.
bones,
a.
the skeleton.
b.
a body: Let his bones rest in peace.
c.
Games Slang. dice.
d.
(initial capital letter) Mr. Bones.
e.
a simple rhythm instrument consisting of two sometimes curved bars or short strips of bone, ivory, wood, or the like, held between the fingers of one hand and clacked together.
7.
the color of bone; ivory or off-white.
8.
a flat strip of whalebone or other material for stiffening corsets, petticoats, etc.; stay.
9.
Games Slang. a domino.–verb (used with object)
10.
to remove the bones from: to bone a turkey.
11.
to put whalebone or another stiffener into (clothing).
12.
Agriculture. to put bone meal into (feed, fertilizer, etc.).–adverb
13.
completely; absolutely: bone tired. —Idioms
14.
bone up, Informal. to study intensely; cram: We're going to have to bone up for the exam.
15.
feel in one's bones, to think or feel intuitively: She felt in her bones that it was going to be a momentous day.
16.
have a bone to pick with someone, to have cause to disagree or argue with someone: The teacher had a bone to pick with him because his homework paper was identical with his neighbor's.
17.
make no bones about,
a.
to deal with in a direct manner; act or speak openly: He makes no bones about his dislike of modern music.
b.
to have no fear of or objection to.
18.
to the bone,
a.
to the essentials; to the minimum: The government cut social service programs to the bone.
b.
to an extreme degree; thoroughly: chilled to the bone

Flesh

2008-12-18T11:36:00.003-07:00

I wanted to devote some time to writing about the three words that collaborate to make the title of my blog.

Flesh...When I first say the word, I begin thinking about something naughty. Naked or nude women. Then, I begin thinking about injuries to it for some reason.

Flesh is such an interesting thing. Skin, the integument system, is the largest of the organ systems that humans have. It breathes, its waterproof, it protects, it damages, its amazing. And the flesh is what's underneathe that, before you get to the bones. It mainly refers to skeletal muscle and associated fat, though it includes all other internal soft tissue. When flesh becomes food, its usually called meat.

I often fall victim to the temptations of the flesh...but really? who doesn't?

Below I listed the definitions that the Webster dictionary would like you to define the word by.

1.
the soft substance of a human or other animal body, consisting of muscle and fat.
2.
muscular and fatty tissue.
3.
this substance or tissue in animals, viewed as an article of food, usually excluding fish and sometimes fowl; meat.
4.
fatness; weight.
5.
the body, esp. as distinguished from the spirit or soul: The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.
6.
the physical or animal nature of humankind as distinguished from its moral or spiritual nature: the needs of the flesh.
7.
humankind.
8.
living creatures generally.
9.
a person's family or relatives.
10.
Botany. the soft, pulpy portion of a fruit, vegetable, etc., as distinguished from the core, skin, shell, etc.
11.
the surface of the human body; skin: A person with tender flesh should not expose it to direct sunlight.
12.
flesh color. –verb (used with object)
13.
to plunge (a weapon) into the flesh.
14.
Hunting. to feed (a hound or hawk) with flesh in order to make it more eager for the chase. Compare blood (def. 16).
15.
to incite and accustom (persons) to bloodshed or battle by an initial experience.
16.
to inflame the ardor or passions of by a foretaste.
17.
to overlay or cover (a skeleton or skeletal frame) with flesh or with a fleshlike substance.
18.
to give dimension, substance, or reality to (often fol. by out): The playwright fleshed out the characters.
19.
to remove adhering flesh from (hides), in leather manufacture.
20.
Archaic. to satiate with flesh or fleshly enjoyments; surfeit; glut.—Idioms
21.
in the flesh, present and alive before one's eyes; in person: The movie star looked quite different in the flesh.
22.
pound of flesh, something that strict justice demands is due, but can only be paid with great loss or suffering to the payer.
23.
press the flesh, Informal. to shake hands, as with voters while campaigning: The senator is busy as ever pressing the flesh on the campaign trail.

Give me my daily coffee

2008-12-05T08:28:00.004-07:00

I just wanted to write a quick few lines about my morning coffee. I love this sweet awakening that I am allowed to savor. The dark brown liquid is kept at its natual color and flavor. See that stein of it up there? That's sugarless, creamless, and oh so delicious. Along with that I must chill the coffee to well below room temperature. A common practice is to place the stein or mug into the freezer for 1.5 hours. This will freeze the top layer, and deep chill the rest. Most of the time I will place a mug filled to the brim in the freezer, and then take a mug with ice cubes and coffee to my desk whilst the other one freezes. Though this results in a watered down first cup, that really just gets me ready for the next. Recently, I lost that stein, and had to move to the nice red mug...it lacks the capacity of the stein, but it adds more control to my sipping. Now this morning ritual isn't required...or to say, I'm not an addict. I just love the way the bitterness fills my blood with stimulation...I could drink a Super Big Gulp of this stuff. So share me your thoughts and stories about you morning rituals. I won't judge you.

And she becomes revealed

2008-12-04T16:49:00.003-07:00

So the latest ultrasound has revealed that we are having a little girl!!! Which means all of our feelings and hunches were correct. Interestingly, it also makes the Chinese Conception calendar correct...so go Chinese Emperor dudes! She is so freaking adorable, and I think she got her mom's nose, so thank Jah or whoever...um genetics...yeah them :).

The ultrasound lady put her due date as April 30th, making Rachel 19 weeks deep.

I was really hoping that it would be a little girl, so I am so fucking excited its ridiculous.

This is such a great thing...this baby was made with intention and real love. And though we only knew each other a few weeks before we found out, I knew she was the one on the first day I met her. It was so obvious to my sub-conscious. Consiously, I had a harder time convincing myself, just based on people usually thinking we're crazy when they find out how we went about our relationship. But I knew, after the first hug, that she was not the average girl I've met before. Rachel has an endless potential for greatness that radiates from her eyes and body. This baby will have a wonderful mother and a wonderful family to join. Tobin, Rachel, Davynn, and Mattis.

I'm pretty sure we've decided on Mattis Marley

I will write more as the baby grows...

Winter bouldering at the Cabage Patch in Little Cottonwood Canyon, UT

2008-11-25T12:03:00.003-07:00

I've always wanted to do have a winter bouldering photo shoot. Now, thanks to Julie Harman of Juliz Photography, I was able to make this happen. Julie was willing an ready to anything it took to get a great shot, including sitting on a snowy wet boulder. There's just something about bouldering being a three season sport, that when you throw snow and cold into the mix, it makes for a great ambiance. The spot we chose was the Cabage Patch up in Little Cottonwood Canyon. Home of the Dean Problem, Fat Albert, the Double Dyno, and more classic granite problems. None of these shots show anything difficult or crazy, but I like they way they turned out. Especialy the one where my hand is close and there's snow right by it. It was a great time hanging with Julie and Aaron Fox (my co-worker and fellow blogist). Also, we were joined by my family, my lovely future wife Rachel and son Davynn, who added to the laughter and enjoyment. I hope to have Aaron and Julie from Juliz around for more climbing adventures. I respect the camera, and hope to apply myself into a hobby of sorts for myself...as soon as I can afford a nice camera.

Connection to the world through my unborn child

2008-11-24T12:19:00.001-07:00

My girlfriend was standing in the closet and I was sitting down in there at eye level with her bulging 4 month pregnant belly. I reached out to kiss the side of her abdomen, and continued kissing all over the home of our fetus. At that moment, it was like I was staring at the most beautiful sunset or natural scene. Like a forest at night, with fog, a full moon, and shooting stars filling the sky. Just the most beautiful thing ever. I connected with the planet, and myself, and my girl, and the baby. We are all part of an amazing transition. The transitition of love and lust into flesh and bone. I felt the energy that the baby was giving out through my eyelids and lips. Similar feelings were had when I began having sex to make babies for the first time a few months ago. The sex that led to this unborn child, whom is due in late April or early May of '09. It is a sense of purpose and understanding. As a biologist I tend to feel that procreation is the meaning of life. Each life, from Zea mays (corn) to Panthera leo (lion) to Homo sapiens (man), is here to make babies and pass on their genetic link to the future and past. We are all derived from couples making babies...hundreds of thousands of millions of these couplings must happen to make a current life form. And so on for our future generations. The reason I am here is to ensure my genetics are passed along. I found the perfect genetic match for me. She is a goddess. I have so much respect for her abilities to create. As her body molds into a motherly shape, my awe increases exponentialy. Her curves are unmatched and worshipped. I await the arrival of our little one with great passion and excitement and I will keep this blog posted on how things are going for my pregnant goddess. We get to find out the sex in a few weeks!!!