2012

2012 is on the way and many are predicting the world ending due to the end of the Mayan calendar. I don't have their calendar hanging on my wall so I'm not too worried about it ending, or having even the smallest effect on our world. But I still think we should all be prepared for the worst. I recommend having plenty of long shelf life food on hand at all times. At least enough for each person in your house to survive a week under normal conditions. I also recommend keeping flashlights, batteries, lighters, etc. You never know what could happen. Hurricanes, tsunamis, earthquakes, and zombies could show up when you least expect them and it is good to be prepared. Big name companies have taken very big strides in being prepared for zombies. Hornady, a leading name in the ammunition world makes "Z-Max" ammo specifically for zombies. The same goes for Kabar and their line of "ZK" knives. Taurus makes the "Zombie Res ponder" which is essentially the "Raging Judge" but set up for zombies. You should also be prepared for robots, and never forget, "Those who deny the existence of robots, are robots themselves."

All of the products I mentioned ARE real. Google it.

Survive 2012,

Ruben

A Must Watch!

Yesterday I watched a total of three movies: Hostel III, Columbiana & Warrior. Now Hostel III wasn't very good to me so watch it at your own risk. Columbiana was a good movie so I would suggest watching it. The movie Warrior was a GREAT movie and I would highly recommend watching it. It is about MMA fighting so it everyone and definitely isn't for kids. The storyline is great and the acting is superb. So if you haven't seen Warrior go to Redbox, Blockbuster or wherever you can find the movie and rent it. You will be happy you did.

Happy Thursday
Dale

Watch What You Eat!

I'm not one to preach about diets, so I won't preach about diets. This has to do with how quick your world can change just by eating something. The current news story that had me double checking what type of formula my baby is consuming, turns out to be a lot of speculation at this point. Earlier this month a Missouri child consumed a popular brand of baby formula and died from the cronobacter sakazukii bacteria. I heard that story a while back and didn't think much of it. However, earlier today I heard on the news that a few more children from different parts of the country had gotten sick. This got my attention, but not to worry, the other cases were caused by something other than baby formula. So as this has turned out to be a non-issue so far, at least for my family, there are many other ways you can eat and get sick, or worse. In 2010, 44 states reported Salmonella outbreaks from red and black pepper. 11 States with Salmonella outbreaks from alfalfa sprouts. Of course here in Colorado we had the Listeria outbreak from cantaloupe, I still don't eat cantaloupe even though there is no danger from it now. The list can go on forever, romaine lettace, eggs, raw milk, it just doesn't end. So keep an mouth out, you never know if you've just taken your last bite.

T

Christmas Dinner - Part Two

Our barbecue Christmas dinner was a success! We ate until we couldn't move and we're still munching on leftovers. The pulled pork was my favorite, (Ruben woke up at 5:30 to start it) followed closely by the homemade potato salad and fried okra. This is definitely going to be a tradition at our house. I'll just need to make sure I don't forget the baked beans next year.

Hope everyone had a Very Merry Christmas!

-Shala

Holiday Food

One of the greatest things about the Holidays is the food. Mainly the desserts such as the pies, cakes, cookies & various specialty dishes. My mother in law is in town and she is queen specialty dish. She makes so many things that I have never heard of and adds ingredients to foods that makes you say "REALLY?" but usually her specialty dishes turn out pretty amazing. Enjoy the food, family, & friends this Holiday season. Also, don't pout if Santa didn't bring the gift you wanted as next year you may not get anything.

Happy Holidays
Dale

How Far?

Well, Christmas is just around the corner, which makes today the perfect day to talk about everyone's favorite subject...Ballistics! Have you ever wondered just how far a bullet can travel across a flat plain before hitting the ground? Well, it is actually pretty simple to figure out. I heard on the radio that if you shoot a bullet from a level gun barrel (lets call it a 155 grain bullet) on a flat plain with no objects to stop the bullet other than the ground, and you also drop a 155 grain bullet from the same height, both will hit the ground at the same time! This means that if the bullet takes 1/2 second to hit the ground, you just have to divide the velocity (feet per second) by 2 and that will give you the distance the bullet can travel. So if it takes a half second to hit the ground and has a velocity of 1800 feet per second, then the bullet can travel 900 feet. That's equivalent to 3 football fields. Please keep in mind that this is not at all an exact method of determining distance traveled as a bullets velocity will vary based on the length of your gun barrel as well as other variances. This is just a good way to determine where your backdrop needs to be to make sure there is no one off in the distance to get in the way of your rogue projectiles. It also helps to determine bullet drop for hitting distant targets.

Shoot Safe,

Ruben

Top of the Town

Christmas is less than a week away now, and as soon as it's over we'll all start thinking about New Year's and reflecting on what was 2011.  Well, I suggest starting the year off right with making it a goal to visit the places in your area that are truly the "Top of the Town." 5280 is Denver's premier magazine, and every year they run a segment featuring the best of the best in Denver - from cocktails to consignment shops and everything in between.  While I'm proud to say I've experienced many of the best of Denver, there is still a TON more places I haven't been.  So, if you're in the Denver area, check out 2011's Top of the Town, and hopefully the rest of you have a similar list of the best spots in your area.  Also, this will be my last post until after the holidays so Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! 

~ Allison

What a week!

So this last week has been quite the news maker. Most of the news goes unrecognized as news and is soon forgotten. Let's start with The One, better known as Tim Tebow. It was widely reported that the Broncos lost against the Patriots. While the Broncos may have lost, we all know that Tebow won! Kim Jong Il, the leader of North Korea, died on Saturday. In an amazing feat of secrecy the world did not know of the death until Monday. With the technology available today I'm amazed North Korea could keep the death a secret for two days. It shows how reclusive North Korea is and who knows what remains ahead for that country? I think the biggest piece of news from the last week was that there was a Chinese aircraft carrier rowing about the Yellow Sea. This is definitely something to keep an eye on in 2012. While a lot of countries are worried about this naval addition, it is still not an operational carrier. It will be at least two years before they will be able to launch and recover aircraft from the carrier. So it's really freaky, and then it really isn't. Read up on the death of the North Korean leader and on the Chinese aircraft carrier, those two stories will be game changers for the world.

Trevor

Chicken Wings

It's a chicken wing lunch day here at Old Will's. We typically go to Wing Stop to get our wings. They have some very good wings but they don't have a large selection of flavors such as a Buffalo Wild Wings, but the flavors they do have please the taste buds. The main reason I like to go to Wing Stop for wings is that they have IMO the best french fries of any wings place. So if you are craving some wings and haven't tried Wing Stop I would suggest you give them a try. You shouldn't be disappointed. Just in case you were wondering I am not affiliated with Wing Stop in any way aside from being a satisfied customer.

Thanks
Dale

Christmas Dinner

Ruben and I have family from Oklahoma staying with us this Christmas and when we have people stay with us I always try to plan our meals ahead of time. I like to get all of my shopping done and prepare what I can before the guests arrive. Up until yesterday, I was planning on making a traditional Christmas meal, (which in my family is usually ham, turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, green beans, rolls, some kind of casserole and couple other items). Last night, I thought it would be cool to have a barbecue Christmas dinner instead. Pulled pork sandwiches, ribs, maybe a brisket, homemade potato salad, baked beans, fried okra, coleslaw and fries. I can't wait to start cooking for this meal! It's not a "traditional" Christmas meal, but if people in Japan can eat KFC for Christmas, I can have my BBQ :) What's your "traditional" Christmas meal? Is it similar to my family's or something completely different?


Happy cooking!

Shala

The Tebow Craze

The entire city of Denver is stirring about the Broncos recent success and of course - Tim Tebow.  Every night on the news there has been at least one story about Tebow and his loyal fans around the globe.  I am as big of fan as anyone, but I must say the whole "Tebowing" craze is just a little much.  "Tebowing" is defined as the random act of getting down on a knee and praying, even if everyone else around you is doing something completely different.  Check out this site solely dedicated to capturing the moments of people "Tebowing" around the world - http://tebowing.com/  At the very least there's some pretty entertaining pics....

Go Broncos,
Allison

Ice Fishing Season

Temperatures have dropped, snow has covered the ground and now the lakes are frozen over so it is time for the 1st Ice Fishing trip. Time to wake up early, gather all of our warm clothing and drive for hours just to walk on some sketchy ice, drill some holes and wet a line all while hoping the fish are hungry. Ice fishing isn't for everybody but those who brave the elements are rewarded with some great times with friends and an adventure to boot. So who is coming with us?

Dale

Jury Duty

I had my first experience with jury duty yesterday, and it wasn't pretty.  My civic duty apparently entailed sitting in a room full of really angry people because they all felt their daily lives were being severely interrupted and burdened by this task, while listening to the only other noise in the room - the History Channel (boring!), and starving...starving for any kind of nourishment, but of course the courthouse apparently only takes change and all they have is a vending machine and some 3 day old breakfast burritos.  My experience began with calling the number listed on my summons to find out if I indeed had to report, and if so the logistics of my required duty.    The information was very vague and I don't believe it prepared me for what I was walking into at all.  So, to help all of you who may find yourself in similar shoes ones day here is a list of things I wish I would have known about jury duty:

*Be sure you park in a "public parking" area.  They will ticket you if you are in the wrong spot, even though you have to be there and there may not be any open spots.  With all the power hungry deputies walking around, you're only making it easy for them to slap a ticket on your windshield on the way to their morning coffee and doughnut. 
*Make sure your pockets are empty and have your car keys in hand.  There are going to be lots of people trying to go through security (just like the airport) and the guards are crazy with the metal detectors.  Apparently, they have to SEE your car keys. If you're a girl, they can't just be in your purse that is going to get scanned anyway, I guess that is "unacceptable behavior." 
*Have your summons questionnaire filled out BEFORE you get there.  Otherwise, you will get screamed at by a lady who desperately hates her job.
* Bring Snacks. Any beverages have to be clear and have a cap.  There were no regulations in regards to having Vodka in a water bottle - just sayin'.
* Bring your own magazines, book, or games.  The only ones available in your "juror room" are old (and I mean like two years old) National Geographic and Better Homes and Gardens.   
* Don't forget your cell phone.  You're situation can drastically change at any moment. 
*There is no dress code.  I saw people in suits, dirty smelly sweatpants, and grossly inappropriate t-shirts. Of course some prejudice clothing may help your chances with not being selected, but be mindful of others.   Seriously...nobody wants to smell you all day, or read the shirt you probably made yourself in your basement.  *Attitude check - You WILL have to answer the same question several times.
*If you're into cancer-causing activities, there is a smoking area.
* You can't get out of jury duty.  They mail everyone who doesn't show a warrant. In Colorado it is a $700 fine or 30-60 days in jail. 

Happy summons,
Allison

Makin' Stuff

Hello,

Well Christmas is coming up and I think I've spent enough money on gifts so I plan on getting out the wood working equipment soon and try and piece together a few gifts. First on the list, I've been asked to make some jig saw puzzles for my daughters birthday (which is a few days before Christmas). It shouldn't be too difficult since I finally have my router table set up the way I want it. I think I might also throw together some nice coat racks and another gift that I cannot mention because the receiver reads this blog. I guess I'll be going to the Home Depot this weekend. (Although I prefer Lowes on everything other than lumber).

Don't forget to watch OU battle it out against OSU tomorrow at 7PM Central time (6PM for us Mountain folk).

Have a good weekend,

Ruben

Got 4x4?

The wintery conditions are alive and well here in Colorado. To date I believe this is the 4th time it has snowed in the Denver area since the start of November and that number will increase drastically throughout December and on into January and February and beyond. This is why I am glad I have a truck with 4x4. On my way to work today I cruised around with ease but unfortunately there were far to many non 4x4 vehicles on the road that were struggling to start without wheels a spinning and causing traffic jams. I seen several cars completely spin out and into the ditch they go. The whole time I am thinking glad I have 4x4. It makes the wintery season in Colorado much more bearable.

Happy Winter
Dale