Fun Times....

Well well well..... its been a fun month. I have played a little more than I should have. But its been a good month. I went to the Grand Canyon a couple of weeks ago. It was incredible!! Its been about 13 years since I was there. 13 years doesn't seem like a long time ago..... why?? I had a great time!! We took some pics below. Check them out.


When we first got to the Grand Canyon it was late and completely dark. We set up the camera and let the shutter stay open to catch the scene at night. I was able to get the light and you can see also the stars. You can see the "Big Dipper" if you take a look.
 

After the next morning I went back and took some pictures. I played with my wide and fish eye lens.... I guess they are ok pictures... But anyway beautiful area!!

After the Grand Canyon, I went to Monument Valley and also to my favorite place Moab.

The drive was so long and the road so straight. My GPS said the road was straight and the next turn in the road wasn't for 117 miles.... wow!!

Have you seen the movie "Forest Gump"? If so, then you have seen this famous road. There were a few Chinese tourists who stopped and were talking pictures also...

Next of coarse is my favorite.... here is Moab..

After a few days on the road... it was back to Salt Lake... More to come!!

Back in Nagoya.

Well  I am back in Nagoya this and next week. It is always good to be back in Japan. But it's busy. Too much work in the day and too much drinking at night. Still at least I can eat some good food while here.

I was surprised at how hot Nagoya still is. I have been sweating all day. Utah became cold lately. It even snowed in the mountains last week. So a little ciolder tha. Nagoya.

So this wee it's work. I will play in Tokyo on the weekend and then next week more work.

Then I return home to Utah. After that I am going to the Grand Canyon with some friends from Japan who are coming over. Should be a great trip. I haven't been there for I guess about 11 years....... Actually that time was a great trip I will never forget. I don't want to go this time because of the feelings I have about last time. But I will go and I think it will be fun but a little difficult for me too.... I always wish I could go back in time and make things right..... I hate regrets.... Anyway.... It will be a nice road trip anyway....

The Marriott in Nagoya just above the station will be my home for the next 2 weeks. I am on the 33rd floor. A great view as usual.

Well well well...... its been what 6 months?? No excuse. Sorry to friends and family... I have been lazy. Busy but lazy.... Today I finally taking the day off. Well really I am just working from home. But while I work... its a great time to catch up on the past 6 months of my life... So.... the best way to catch up is by some pictures... Here is what I have been doing... April: MOAB BABY!!! April = Moab. My favorite place on earth. I take my Jeep and go play. This year was one of the best years ever. We had a great group and the weather was perfect!! I didn't break my Jeep either so bonus!! Here is a video below. Can you see my Jeep?? Hint... its light green!!! (Not a good hint because all my Jeeps are green... but maybe you can quickly see a light green jeep..) Another place I love is Hokkaido!! I travel to Japan all the time now. But I don't always get a chance to "go home". I consider Hokkaido my home. I did make a quick trip back in April for a drive. I ended up in Hakodate.... I didn't take many pictures but took this one on a beautiful day!!)

May: I went camping and fishing in May with some of my family. I didn't catch any fish but my Nephew did. Thanks to him I could eat some nice trout. His dog really wanted to eat too.

BeeBee my dog wasn't impressed with my fishing skill...

Here is how my day was......

After that I was basically gone all of June to Japan / China. But when I got back to Utah I made another trip. This time to Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park. I love that area too and BeeBee loves to play in the lake. At night the stars are bright and I tried to take a picture of these and some fireworks I saw...

Anyway.... there is a lot more. I can post better next time and will try to keep on top. This years summer has been just too hot. Its difficult to sleep its so hot... So I am ready for fall. GOOD NEWS!!! Collage Football Season started last night. My Utah Utes won their first game and it was a great game. Professional starts next week!!! Now Autumn is getting close and the Ski season is almost here. This year I am back on the ski patrol. So I will be skiing every week patrolling the mountain. I have been taking my medical classes again since January and almost done. My final tests are next month... wish me luck!!! Well talk to you later but I promise it won't be another 6 months!!!!!

Its been a while....

Well its been a long time. Thats because I have been doing more and more traveling... kind of crazy.

I have been in Japan and spent some time in Tsukuba. Now I am in Nagoya. The weather is beaufitul and I realized today I really miss living here. But I am enjoying my life in the states right now also.

Anyway, here is a picture I just took from my room at the Marriott Hotel right above Nagoya train station. This is where I stay when I am not living here....

So its always nice staying here and last night was crazy for me in Sakae. I went to a live house bar where a live band was playing music. I did drinking and dancing until 4am.... Yes I did dancing too!! It was pretty fun but now I am completely dead.... so eventhough its only 8pm I am getting ready for bed.

Tomorrow I am going to China, Shanghai.... so I will be there for a few days and finally back to Utah... I am actually looking forward to getting back to my dog...

Grammys...

Everyone see the grammys??? I must say there were some really good performances this year. I think better than last year. I love this time of year with the Superbowl, Grammys, and then the Oscars.. It makes for some pretty good TV.

I generally don't watch TV these days. Just the big events thats about it... but here are some of my favorite Superbowl commercials and grammy performances...


This first one is my favorite from the Superbowl....


I loved this one!! Boy has not date for prom.
Takes dads Audi and gets the courage to go kiss the prom queen.
He gets punched but it was worth it!!


 Bruno Mars and Sting.... Sting is the man!! Great Performance!!


 Maroon 5 and Alicia Keys!! I love her!!!



Last one I love. This is one of my favorite songs which I could get drunk to.
A great drinking song..!!
I must admit I love Neyla Pekarek!!




 So that about catches up on some of the events around here.... I watch the superbowl and grammys so you don't have to!!

So here is what I was doing today at noon...

WORKING!!!!! A nice day in the office with the snow falling outside...

My colleague took this pic as I was working on a spread sheet.... He is no longer allowed in my office!!

I am sooo tired of winter...

My parents live in our house near San Francisco during the winter...

I am the lucky person who gets to take care of their house here in Utah during the winter (when I am here...)

We had a snow storm today and tonight after work I went to their house to clean the snow.... I couldn't even drive up in their driveway.... It was a big job!!!! I am tired of this!!

So I am ready to move back to San Francisco!!! Next year???

Home Sweet Home...

I got back from the auto show. I am so dead. Every night of heavy drinking and no sleep. I can't understand why Japanese guys need to go out every night and drink drink and drink more. Then they just want to watch the girls all night. its crazy taking care of them sometimes. sometimes I feel like I am babysitting them. I only got a couple hours of sleep every night. So it's good to be home for a few days. Then I get to do it again in Japan. I will be returning next week. More busy days and crazy nights.

Here in utah we have bad fog in the winter. I took a video from the plan as we were coming into the Salt Lake City airport. I took the video just as we were passing the mountain that I live at the bottom of. My house is just below the clouds at that mountain you see.

After I get home we have a major snow storm..... My driveway was full of snow. I had to shovel and shovel... I was so surprised to see all this under the clouds. Here is my driveway...

But.... the next morning I took BeeBee to the park to run in the fresh snow... She loves to run and Dalmatians have soooooo much energy... I wish I did..

I am ready for spring........

HAPPY HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

2012 is history. On to 2013. I can't believe another year is past. I am sure most of us are saying this!!

Its been a good year but too busy for me. So for next year a couple of things I am going to do.

1- take more time off and enjoy life...
2- connect with old friends...

These are the 2 things I am going to do this year!! As for taking time off..... I already have some big travel plans this year I am looking forward to.

So the holidays here in the states are over. I am back to work tomorrow....ugh!! But I am refreshed and I guess ready to go. Today is new years day. I will not have traditional Japanese new years foods... but I will have traditional Todd's new years foods...

Diet Coke and my favorite cookies from Denmark!!! So today I will be drinking and eating these while watching some football... I guess its pretty boring compared to my friends in Japan but this is all I have!!! Still good enough.

Well I hope everyone has a peaceful new years. Let's get together in 2013!!