Hard at work - Touching up paint... One might ask why they are doing all the work while I take pictures... Interesting, isn't it???
Terri and Kat together
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Good deeds... for a Good Friend!
Brent says: Sunday after church Kat and I took old clothes and headed over to our friend Terri's house. Terri and her husband Derek are getting ready to sell their house and move to Phoenix. We will miss them like CRAZY!!! Terri has been a steady friend through church for a number of years.
Hard at work - Touching up paint... One might ask why they are doing all the work while I take pictures... Interesting, isn't it???
Terri and Kat together
Hard at work - Touching up paint... One might ask why they are doing all the work while I take pictures... Interesting, isn't it???
Terri and Kat together
Dinner with Brownells
On Saturday evening we had Sara, Kat's roomate and close friend, over for dinner along with her boyfriend Shawn and her family. Her family is staying in San Diego for the summer as her younger brother Jon is interning at Scripps.
We had a nice dinner over at Kat's Aunt and Uncle's Place (She was houseittng)
Note the fact that Kat and I both spontaneously did "moose ears" for the crazy photo - If that isn't love, I don't know what is!
We had a nice dinner over at Kat's Aunt and Uncle's Place (She was houseittng)
Note the fact that Kat and I both spontaneously did "moose ears" for the crazy photo - If that isn't love, I don't know what is!
Wedding Update - Invitation-a-Rama
As everyone is so fond of pointing out to us, its just under 2 months until our wedding!!!
On Saturday after the hike we did a little "assembly line" to stuff all these invitations and inserts (including an oh-so-fine map, if I do say so myself!)
Schnazzy invites in the mail ... coming soon!
On Saturday after the hike we did a little "assembly line" to stuff all these invitations and inserts (including an oh-so-fine map, if I do say so myself!)
Schnazzy invites in the mail ... coming soon!
Hot Hiking in San Diego
Brent says: Its HOT! We've become so SPOILED out here in SD that this recent burst of 90's and high humidity has us all swooning! I know the other 99% of the country is saying, "Hah! You Caliornia Wuses!!!" but for crying out loud, I don't have AC! What's a man supposed to DO!!!
Anyhow, here's some fun pics from our hot times in this old town -
Saturday, June 24 - Hiking at Mt. Woodson -
We went hiking at a local mountain to commemorate the life of a friend from our community group who was killed last summer in a traffic accident. His name was Pat Klokow, and he would have turned 30 on June 23.
Here's Kat holding Mason, the son of Sharon, one of our friends.
Mason was born in the time between Pat's death and now. It's amazing to see the passage of time, and how it moves so quickly.
John and Heidi. with Mason peaking through - John would look substantially less jovial further up the hill as he carried Mason
The hike was on the whole a jovial celebration of a life well-lived. We shared stories about Pat with those who didn't meet him, and we talked about how much we admired him for his physical endurance and spiritual hunger.
"Summiting" at the top - The whole crew... and don't worry, the baby was FINE. He's just asleep!!!
A good time, a sad time, a happy time - All wrapped into one, I guess. I do know that I am incredibly grateful to share this time with these friends of mine.
Anyhow, here's some fun pics from our hot times in this old town -
Saturday, June 24 - Hiking at Mt. Woodson -
We went hiking at a local mountain to commemorate the life of a friend from our community group who was killed last summer in a traffic accident. His name was Pat Klokow, and he would have turned 30 on June 23.
Here's Kat holding Mason, the son of Sharon, one of our friends.
Mason was born in the time between Pat's death and now. It's amazing to see the passage of time, and how it moves so quickly.
John and Heidi. with Mason peaking through - John would look substantially less jovial further up the hill as he carried Mason
The hike was on the whole a jovial celebration of a life well-lived. We shared stories about Pat with those who didn't meet him, and we talked about how much we admired him for his physical endurance and spiritual hunger.
"Summiting" at the top - The whole crew... and don't worry, the baby was FINE. He's just asleep!!!
A good time, a sad time, a happy time - All wrapped into one, I guess. I do know that I am incredibly grateful to share this time with these friends of mine.
Saturday, June 24, 2006
Big Ol' Week in Review
Brent says: OK, I am working on more frequent postings with this blog thing... Today, you'll have to forgive me. I am going to do a run-down of the week all in one post~
Sunday: After some semi-efficient wedding planning during the day, we went over to see some church friends who were house sitting at this incredible house in Santa Luz. The had a nice pool and a beautiful home that was perfect for entertaining. Some good chicken-fighting in the pool was had, though honestly our friends the Hatcher's smoked us.
Mon-Wed: Nothing super-big going on. I did Toastmasters in there, Kat and I worked on some wedding stuff, and we had our first softball practice for Team Speckel, which is actually going not to bad of a softball squad considering its composed mainly of PhD scientists who spend 14 hours a day in the lab.
Thurs: Back down to PB for more mad,hot ballroom. Emphasis on the hot part, its been toasty in San Diego. We're learning Foxtrot and East Coast Swing. Hatcher's, as always, are looking good!
On the way to dinner afterwards, Kat couldn't resist playing Asian Tourist in front of the incredible Mormon temple in UTC/La Jolla.
Fun with night-portrait setting on my new camera.
Friday: My company had their annual summer picnic at a park just north of the site. It doesn't exactly make up for slim raises, but it sure is a nice gesture for them to show some corporate generosity to provide a nice event for employees and their families.
Required overly-loud employee-affiliated cover band
Human Foosball - I'm thinking we have to get this for the wedding!
The Night Zoo opened up for members only Friday night. I went down to check it out. The Night Zoo is when the SD Zoo stays open until 9 during the summers. It is REALLY a great thing. THe animals move around since its cooler and they feed them, and the crowds tend to thin out. Its the best time to see it.
Skyfari view at sunset
Cute baby giraffe who was running all over the place
WHEW! That's a big ol' week in review. I'll work on putting this into more "bite-size" pieces for next week!!! Cheers!
Sunday: After some semi-efficient wedding planning during the day, we went over to see some church friends who were house sitting at this incredible house in Santa Luz. The had a nice pool and a beautiful home that was perfect for entertaining. Some good chicken-fighting in the pool was had, though honestly our friends the Hatcher's smoked us.
Mon-Wed: Nothing super-big going on. I did Toastmasters in there, Kat and I worked on some wedding stuff, and we had our first softball practice for Team Speckel, which is actually going not to bad of a softball squad considering its composed mainly of PhD scientists who spend 14 hours a day in the lab.
Thurs: Back down to PB for more mad,hot ballroom. Emphasis on the hot part, its been toasty in San Diego. We're learning Foxtrot and East Coast Swing. Hatcher's, as always, are looking good!
On the way to dinner afterwards, Kat couldn't resist playing Asian Tourist in front of the incredible Mormon temple in UTC/La Jolla.
Fun with night-portrait setting on my new camera.
Friday: My company had their annual summer picnic at a park just north of the site. It doesn't exactly make up for slim raises, but it sure is a nice gesture for them to show some corporate generosity to provide a nice event for employees and their families.
Required overly-loud employee-affiliated cover band
Human Foosball - I'm thinking we have to get this for the wedding!
The Night Zoo opened up for members only Friday night. I went down to check it out. The Night Zoo is when the SD Zoo stays open until 9 during the summers. It is REALLY a great thing. THe animals move around since its cooler and they feed them, and the crowds tend to thin out. Its the best time to see it.
Skyfari view at sunset
Cute baby giraffe who was running all over the place
WHEW! That's a big ol' week in review. I'll work on putting this into more "bite-size" pieces for next week!!! Cheers!
Friday, June 23, 2006
Too, TOO much fun
Credit for this find has to go out to my friends Sean and Erik...
www.churchsigngenerator.com
Sunday, June 18, 2006
Saturday Special
Kat and I celebrated some major achievements at work for me by enjoying a GREAT Saturday.
First we went to a matinee performance of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" that was in town on tour. The big draw on it was that they had one of the American Idol finalists, Amy Adams, cast as the narrator. She didn't sing at our show, and when they announced it would be her under-study a distinct "Ooooohhhhh" went through the crowd. That must drive Broadway people nuts when they work their way up through hundreds of shows, and they are eclipsed by some girl who got 7th on a reality show a couple of years back...
Anyways, it WAS a good performance. Kat's first time seeing it - The program guy was nice enough to pose with us... I bet he was thinking, "-ing Tourists!"
Next, we went to dinner at this INCREDIBLE place in La Jolla called Nine-Ten. Its down near the water at La Jolla Cove. They serve California Cuisine, with a focus on fresh local stuff. We did this deal called the "Mercy of the Chef" where we let the chef pick all of our 5-courses at dinner. Mmmmmm... Kat had 5 wine pairings with her 5-courses for an ADDED bonus. Really was one of the best dinners I have ever had!
First we went to a matinee performance of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" that was in town on tour. The big draw on it was that they had one of the American Idol finalists, Amy Adams, cast as the narrator. She didn't sing at our show, and when they announced it would be her under-study a distinct "Ooooohhhhh" went through the crowd. That must drive Broadway people nuts when they work their way up through hundreds of shows, and they are eclipsed by some girl who got 7th on a reality show a couple of years back...
Anyways, it WAS a good performance. Kat's first time seeing it - The program guy was nice enough to pose with us... I bet he was thinking, "
Next, we went to dinner at this INCREDIBLE place in La Jolla called Nine-Ten. Its down near the water at La Jolla Cove. They serve California Cuisine, with a focus on fresh local stuff. We did this deal called the "Mercy of the Chef" where we let the chef pick all of our 5-courses at dinner. Mmmmmm... Kat had 5 wine pairings with her 5-courses for an ADDED bonus. Really was one of the best dinners I have ever had!
Sara and Kat's "Random" Party
Brent says: On Friday, Sara and Kat had their first-ever "Random" party. The premise was that you invite your usual friends over, but tell them to bring a "random" person who nobody else knows.
You know what? It actually worked great! We grilled, people brought stuff, people mixed and mingled, and then folks did Karaoke with the least amount of alcoholic lubrication that I ever thought possible.
Pictures tell a thousand words, so without further ado:
Random party - Just kicking off - Note the nametags for optimal mingle-ability:
Brent and Bjoern: We crooned! This has to be the first time I've sang Sugar,Sugar with a German man... OK, there was that time in Munich but I was young and confused...
Big Finish: I don't think you can end an evening of at-home karaoke without YMCA... We had some choreagophy challenges here, as you see, but people had fun!
You know what? It actually worked great! We grilled, people brought stuff, people mixed and mingled, and then folks did Karaoke with the least amount of alcoholic lubrication that I ever thought possible.
Pictures tell a thousand words, so without further ado:
Random party - Just kicking off - Note the nametags for optimal mingle-ability:
Brent and Bjoern: We crooned! This has to be the first time I've sang Sugar,Sugar with a German man... OK, there was that time in Munich but I was young and confused...
Big Finish: I don't think you can end an evening of at-home karaoke without YMCA... We had some choreagophy challenges here, as you see, but people had fun!
Ballroom Dance in PB
It's Thursday afternoon in Pacific Beach, California, known for its sun-soaked ultra-fit 20-somethings. I'm in an upstairs classroom of a Lutheran church learning Ballroom dance with 75 other people and dancing with a 80-year old woman named Estelle who I am just praying doesn't have a heart-attack on me.
Lucky for me, I (Brent) take the pictures and control what you get to see!
Which means I show you lots of pics of Kat as well as John and Heidi who went with us to a Ballroom dance class for the first time last week. I WILL say that though the class was crowded, the instructor was great and we had a TON of fun. Some candid pics to enjoy for y'all!
Kat - In Action Looking Graceful (Not sure what's going on with the lady in the white top... I must not have learned that step)
John - (Blue Checked shirt) - So he's the ringer in the group since he went to finishing school back in Georgia
Heidi - (Black blouse) - Overheard to say "Where are all the men anyway?"
Lucky for me, I (Brent) take the pictures and control what you get to see!
Which means I show you lots of pics of Kat as well as John and Heidi who went with us to a Ballroom dance class for the first time last week. I WILL say that though the class was crowded, the instructor was great and we had a TON of fun. Some candid pics to enjoy for y'all!
Kat - In Action Looking Graceful (Not sure what's going on with the lady in the white top... I must not have learned that step)
John - (Blue Checked shirt) - So he's the ringer in the group since he went to finishing school back in Georgia
Heidi - (Black blouse) - Overheard to say "Where are all the men anyway?"
Wedding Update: Invitations in progress
Brent says: Like sand in an hourglass, the Thompson-Applegate wedding moves ever-forward! *GRIN* Actually last week was really productive. Kat, her mom Jan, and her aunt Bev worked really hard on lots of things, including invitations!
Note the look of complete exhaustion on their faces - So invitations will go out soon. No promises on dates, but I GUARANTEE no later than September 2nd... *grin*
Note the look of complete exhaustion on their faces - So invitations will go out soon. No promises on dates, but I GUARANTEE no later than September 2nd... *grin*
How Nerdy Are You???
Brent says: Kat sent this around. Low scores are less nerdy, high scores are more - She is in the 40-50%'s. I'm at 23%. So far the spread we've found is between 2% top 59%, though that WAS a married couple!
Give it a shot and I am interested in what you score!!!
Give it a shot and I am interested in what you score!!!
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
*Gasp* - allofmp3 is sketch!!!
Brent says: *Sigh* I've had this blog going for less than 2 weeks and already I have steared you, my nascent but faithful readership, down a path of vice and corruption.
You'd expect this from a mySpace, but this is Blogger for cryin' out loud!!!
What's this malfeasance you ask? A while back I mentioned in passing that I had "discovered" this great new site where you can download mp3 music for very cheap (ie, 10-20 cents per song, as opposed to 99 cents on iTunes)
From the "If it seems too good to be true files..." my alert friend John sent this from the NY Times
I'm not going to paste in the article here (without their expressed written consent) but will just summarize. Suffice it to say, the shadowy company that owns the allofmp3 site pays royalties to a Russian licensing body. That Russian licensing body has no relationship with the record companies nor provides any of the license fees collected to them.
Now, its hard to feel ALL that bad about the recording industry. They have after all given us such luminaries as Shug Knight and all.
But really, this is just highway robbery plain and clear. So I won't use their site anymore and the 11.63 remaining on my account will go (hopefully) to starving orphans in St. Petersburg... Ok, so it will undoubtedly go to someone's Dacha but it at least helps me sleep at night.
So now you know, and I can feel absolved for leading y’all astray. It won’t happen again… But have you heard of this new investment scheme…?
B
You'd expect this from a mySpace, but this is Blogger for cryin' out loud!!!
What's this malfeasance you ask? A while back I mentioned in passing that I had "discovered" this great new site where you can download mp3 music for very cheap (ie, 10-20 cents per song, as opposed to 99 cents on iTunes)
From the "If it seems too good to be true files..." my alert friend John sent this from the NY Times
I'm not going to paste in the article here (without their expressed written consent) but will just summarize. Suffice it to say, the shadowy company that owns the allofmp3 site pays royalties to a Russian licensing body. That Russian licensing body has no relationship with the record companies nor provides any of the license fees collected to them.
Now, its hard to feel ALL that bad about the recording industry. They have after all given us such luminaries as Shug Knight and all.
But really, this is just highway robbery plain and clear. So I won't use their site anymore and the 11.63 remaining on my account will go (hopefully) to starving orphans in St. Petersburg... Ok, so it will undoubtedly go to someone's Dacha but it at least helps me sleep at night.
So now you know, and I can feel absolved for leading y’all astray. It won’t happen again… But have you heard of this new investment scheme…?
B
Monday, June 12, 2006
Weekend Wedding Update: Jan T in SD
Brent Says:
Hey all,
More wedding updates... (You'll start to catch-on to a theme here before too long)
Jan Thompson was in town with Kat this past weekend. They worked for 72 straight hours on all things wedding, stopping only occasionally to smile for pictures, but then it was back to work!
We had dinner with Kat's Aunt and Uncle on Saturday, and then they came over to my house on Sunday morning for some breakfast and basketball before church.
Notice the backyard basketball hoop - California Bachelor Exclusive.
We went to church and Jan got to see where our wedding is going to be held. Its a cute little outdoor ampitheatre.
After church we went over to Old Poway Park where the reception will be held. It is really going to be a neat setting. Little hall and big gazebo, lots of room to mill about and play. I think it will be really great. Here are the pics that Kat would let me take... :-)
Nice day! Very exciting to count down the days until our wedding. 82 days left!
Hey all,
More wedding updates... (You'll start to catch-on to a theme here before too long)
Jan Thompson was in town with Kat this past weekend. They worked for 72 straight hours on all things wedding, stopping only occasionally to smile for pictures, but then it was back to work!
We had dinner with Kat's Aunt and Uncle on Saturday, and then they came over to my house on Sunday morning for some breakfast and basketball before church.
Notice the backyard basketball hoop - California Bachelor Exclusive.
We went to church and Jan got to see where our wedding is going to be held. Its a cute little outdoor ampitheatre.
After church we went over to Old Poway Park where the reception will be held. It is really going to be a neat setting. Little hall and big gazebo, lots of room to mill about and play. I think it will be really great. Here are the pics that Kat would let me take... :-)
Nice day! Very exciting to count down the days until our wedding. 82 days left!
Saturday, June 10, 2006
Wedding Update: Mmmmm... Bar-B-Q
Brent says: We got to do a tasting on Thursday. I have discovered that the absolute best thing about getting married is the tastings. Cakes, caterers, you name it! I'm all for it.
Check out this spread we got! Kevin is the owner of this business, and has been really good to work with. They are smart! They make good barbecue, but also do all the other things (Tables, chairs, cloths, etc) as well, so you don't have to worry about any of that stuff...
We're doing our reception like a big family picnic; Relaxed, casual - Should be a lot of fun.
Check out this spread we got! Kevin is the owner of this business, and has been really good to work with. They are smart! They make good barbecue, but also do all the other things (Tables, chairs, cloths, etc) as well, so you don't have to worry about any of that stuff...
We're doing our reception like a big family picnic; Relaxed, casual - Should be a lot of fun.
Padres Game with Sara and Shawn
Brent says: Go Pads!!! Sara, Shawn, and I went downtown to Petco Park to root on the Padres against the Marlins. Luckily for us, the Marlins are far and away the worst team in baseball... possibly ever - Pads snuck by 3-2
Petco park is right downtown - Beautiful stadium, about 2-3 years old. Every seat is great... I really like it!
Jon and Sarah with Padres Dog - I'm not sure about that gang sign he's making... Must be a Cornell thing...
The things you will do to get the 1.00 hot dog in the kids line...
Petco park is right downtown - Beautiful stadium, about 2-3 years old. Every seat is great... I really like it!
Jon and Sarah with Padres Dog - I'm not sure about that gang sign he's making... Must be a Cornell thing...
The things you will do to get the 1.00 hot dog in the kids line...
Thursday, June 08, 2006
Gnarls Barkley - Buy the single, not the album
Brent says: OK, usually I don't mess with music, but leave that to the far more capable, like my friend Jake - http://www.popculturereviewed.com/
But I downloaded the new Gnarls Barkley album, St. Elsewhere from my new (hopefully) legal download site, www.allofmp3.com.
I have to tell you that except for the song Crazy, which has, rightly so, gotten a lot of airplay, the rest of the album is disjointed and annoying. Its a cross between motown and rap that sounds kind of like one of those times when you are listening to the radio while driving, and get to the boundary point between two station's territories and they both play at the same time.
I've only listened to it once, but after hearing a song that seemed to be a remake of the 60's hit, "Monster Mash," I was ready to put it on one-song repeat for Crazy.
Brent's pic: Buy the single, dump the album. And check out www.allofmp3.com for some cheap downloads (I think it might be run by the Russian mafia though, but I am still checking it out)
But I downloaded the new Gnarls Barkley album, St. Elsewhere from my new (hopefully) legal download site, www.allofmp3.com.
I have to tell you that except for the song Crazy, which has, rightly so, gotten a lot of airplay, the rest of the album is disjointed and annoying. Its a cross between motown and rap that sounds kind of like one of those times when you are listening to the radio while driving, and get to the boundary point between two station's territories and they both play at the same time.
I've only listened to it once, but after hearing a song that seemed to be a remake of the 60's hit, "Monster Mash," I was ready to put it on one-song repeat for Crazy.
Brent's pic: Buy the single, dump the album. And check out www.allofmp3.com for some cheap downloads (I think it might be run by the Russian mafia though, but I am still checking it out)
RBAlive with Toastmasters
Brent says: OK, one thing about me is that I have never cringed from dorkiness...
Toastmasters is no exception.
I've been involved in the club, where people learn public speaking skills, for over 3 years now. I started out to try to get over a fear of public speaking, and have actually gotten to the point where I would say communication is one of my strongest suits. Pretty amazing metamorphosis!
Pics below from RBAlive, a street fair where we (Toastmasters) had a booth. We had a great setup where we handed out cold water and info flyers, since it was REALLY warm (90's)..
Gotta respect the Hawaiian shirt theme we've (partially) got going on - Somebody didn't get the memo I guess.
Toastmasters is no exception.
I've been involved in the club, where people learn public speaking skills, for over 3 years now. I started out to try to get over a fear of public speaking, and have actually gotten to the point where I would say communication is one of my strongest suits. Pretty amazing metamorphosis!
Pics below from RBAlive, a street fair where we (Toastmasters) had a booth. We had a great setup where we handed out cold water and info flyers, since it was REALLY warm (90's)..
Gotta respect the Hawaiian shirt theme we've (partially) got going on - Somebody didn't get the memo I guess.
Saturday, June 03, 2006
John and Brooke's Wedding In Indy
Indianapolis - Memorial Day Weekend - Whose doing anything in town except going to weddings, right? OK - The 500 played second fiddle to John and Brooke this weekend -
The wedding was at Christ Church Episcopal on the circle -
The reception was at the Rathskellar, this ancient German castle of a bar and restaurant. Very choice location.
My mom nearly killed me doing the Polka - She was a woman possessed. I'm not lying!
Kat and I were much less aggressive in our dancing feats, but looking pretty devious nonetheless
Dallas Trip to Meet Luke
Kat and I flew to Dallas over the week before Memorial Day to meet her new nephew Luke.
Here's Kat and her sister Jennifer with Luke. Luke's about 6 weeks old, and he's at this immensely cute "bobbly-head" stage
Dallas was fun - HOT - But fun. I found myself addicted to Snow Cones and Spring Creek BBQ
The Knock on Dallas is that it has no culture - I was really quite impressed by what we saw - There is a neat little Arts District downtown, near the Symphony Hall, and home to the Nashur Sculpture Garden, where these photos were taken. Small gallery, larger gardens, and some really interesting pieces
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