Jon McLaughlin - Beating My Heart

Just watched Jon McLaughlin's new video on Amazon.com. I really love this guy's music. I could listen to him over and over. In fact, I often do. I believe he's toured in Utah but I wasn't smart enough to go. I'm hoping he comes back soon.

If you are not familar with him, you really should check him out. You might have listened to him without even knowing it. He sings the So Close song at the end of Walt Disney's Enchanted.

His new CD is not out until Oct but You can check out his "old stuff," Indiana.

Thank You Notes

Today I was reading through my normal blog subscriptions. One of which is LifeHacker. They had a nice link to an article called "How To Write an Effective Thank You Note for Any Occasion." It reminded me of the importances of sending thank you notes.

The first time I remember getting good exposure to thank you notes (at least the first time that it sunk in) and their benefit. It was while I was on my mission in Canada Halifax. My mission companion at the time was Elder Brooks. While we served together he was constantly writing thank you notes to members when they would feed us, to our investigators, and anyone else whenever a thank you was warranted.

When I got transferred to my new area and I was with a new elder, I thought that I would try out his process. So When Sister MacKenzie delivered a fresh loaf of homemade bread to the local elders, I responded by writing a nice thank you note in return. I didn't think too much of it until later she told us that she had made ten loaves of bread to share with others. She informed us that we were the only ones to return a thank you note. She told us that it reminded her of the story of the ten lepers that were healed and only one turned to give thanks. That experience made an impression on me and helped to me to see the value of sending thank you notes.

Since then my sister, Tammy, has been a great example. She is always sending thank you notes for everything no matter how small. And I gotta say that it makes me want to help her out more because she is such a gracious receiver.

So with that, I'm going to be better at expressing my written thanks.

Sport Clips vs Paul Mitchell School

Okay maybe there really should be no comparison but for years I have gone to Paul Mitchell School (formerly Von Curtis). I liked them because they were cheap and so am I. This month I decided to try out Sport Clips. A friend from work had recently gone there and had a funny story (I'll save that for another time.) In any case I found out that there is a Sport Clips in south Orem not too far from my home. Whereas the Paul Mitchell School is way down in Provo up against the mountain south of BYU. Normally at Paul Mitchell I would pay $10 (including tip) for a haircut. That's a great price. But lately I've been thinking about how I have to drive all the way down there. Then they are never ready for me. So I end up waiting and waiting. Then the girls are generally not very fast either. And sometimes you might get the girl who should be the "beauty school dropout." I got her at least once but I think she went back to Guatamala because she didn't understand a word I was saying. (Small problem when you are telling them how to cut your hair.) But I digress. I walked into Sport Clips without an appointment just on a whim thinking I would try it out. I came well equiped. I had a new book I was just starting to read and a 44oz Diet Dr Pepper. (And you know how I love Diet Dr Pepper.) I walked in and to my suprise the front desk girl told me it would be about 5 minutes, which it wasn't. As soon as I could settle myself down to start reading I was greeted by Courtney. She took me back and got right to work. I kind of explained what I wanted done and it was a big change. I was a little nervous since I was new there, but Courtney just started cutting away. Apparently she is pretty good at it. She talked a fair amount and made the time go by even faster. To my suprise she did a great job and she did it so quickly! After the haircut I opted for the additional "Triple Play." (Cheesy name, I know.) Anyway it was a shampoo with Paul Mitchell's Tea Tree shampoo, which is amazing. (I was already familar with that part.) But then it also came with a steamed towel over the face while she massaged my head. I gotta say I wish it would have lasted longer. It was incredibly relaxing. In the end I paid $20 including tip at Sport Clips. My verdict? It was worth it on time savings, gas, and the overall experience. Oh and one last note: they gave me a coupon that is good for $2 to $5 off of my next four visits. I love a coupon.

Here's where the local Sport Clips is located at 254 E University Parkway in Orem.

Free Shick Quattro Titanium Trimmer (Razor)

For those of you who read my entry The Dangers of a New Razor and thought, "How does he get all those free razors?" Well here is your opportunity to be like me. Schick is currently giving away a free Shick Quattro Titanium Trimmer powered razor/trimmer for uploading your face/photo into a mock pillow fight movie. Just follow these steps:

1. Click here


2. Upload your photo/any image


3. Choose your movie options, and play the movie


4. Click to save the movie, and register to receive a free sample

Do to popular demand (okay there was only one request), I'm attaching the video I made to get my free razor. I've got to say the physique is quite accurate.

Marley's - Thumbs Up

Today all the guys from work went out to lunch to celebrate Rod getting another year older. He's really into motorcycles, so someone suggested that we take him to the new Harley Davidson shop in Lindon which also has a restaurant called, Marley's.

I gotta say that I wasn't sure what I was expecting but I was pleasantly surprised. In case you don't already know, Timpanogos Harley-Davidson is owned my the same guy (Dave Tuomisto) that founded Bajio. So I should have known that the food would be tasty. Even though they have not had a grand opening the place was hopping. The menu largely offers sliders. Sliders are a smaller version of a burger. You can order 1, 2, or 3 in a combo with fries or a side salad and also a drink. (They even have Diet Dr. Pepper and you know how much I love that!) I ordered 2 Marley's (hamburger) sliders with lettuce, tomatoes, and grilled onions. Tasty! You should check it out. I understand that their grand opening isn't until the end of July, but don't wait.

http://www.timpharley.com/
http://www.marleys.com/

How Does My Garden Grow?

Early in the spring I always spend hours out in my backyard planting and mainting my garden. Now I am seeing the benefits of my work. Here's a few photos of my garden that I've snapped over the last few weeks.

The Dangers of a New Razor

If you know me, you know that I love a bargain. Well what could be better than a free item then, right?! So several times I see these deals online where you can fill out a form and get a free razor. And when I say several times, I mean it. My bathroom shelf has about a dozen razors just waiting the be opened. I'm not particular about the brand or the model. After all, aren't all razors pretty much the same? To that I now say, "No!"

Several weeks ago on a Sunday I was getting ready for church. My old razor was getting a little dull and I decided it was time to break into the razor stash. Not really paying attention I grabbed the one on top, ripped it open, and proceeded with my twice-a-week shave. This is how it works. I get my face wet with warm/hot water. Then comes the shaving cream which I lather up smoothing it over my neck, chin, cheeks, upper lip, and even into my sideburns. (I don't want to miss anyplace.) Then I began my shave just like always only I was noticing how nicely the razor slid over my skin with fresh blades. I was pretty much done with only my sideburn area left. As I mentioned I like to get the shaving cream up into my sideburns so that I can get a clean line. I normally just turn the razor around and use the back side to flatten out the hair and pull the shaving cream down to wear I want my sideburns to end. To my horror I found a little too late that the back of this razor included another blade on the back! Aghhhh! Fortunately I had some sideburn left. I evened out the other side and was glad that the burns were not short to begin with. So while I may have saved a few bucks, I lost about an inch.

Plum Lucky - Janet Evanovich

Plum Lucky - Janet Evanovich

If you haven't figured it out yet, I'm a big fan of Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum Series. Rarely is there a book that will make me laugh out loud but Stephanie's shenanigans never fail me. I've just finished Plum Lucky.

This time Stephanie hits the road for Atlantic City when Grandma Mazur goes missing along with a duffle bag full of money that she stubbled over while watching a rainbow. Stephanie doesn't venture out alone. She takes the whole crew: Lula the former "ho" who get's a shady job modeling plus-size lingerie, Connie the middle aged sharp-shooter, and Diesel the mysterious man hunting down a guy who thinks he a leprechaun. One of my favorite "laugh out loud" moments include taking Doug the horse (who "talks" to the leprechaun) for an evelator ride after being cooped up in Stephanie's kitchen all day.

Janet is the author who writes all the number books. This is just a short "in between the numbers" book. It's quick read for anyone who might want to try out the series. Another quick one is Plum Lovin. Actually they are all quick reads, these two just have less number of pages.

Weepies - Hideaway

So my friend, Brad, has enlisted 3 of his kids to star in a music video he made for the Weepies song Hideaway. He has entered it in the Weepies 'Hideaway' Video Challenge. Best of luck Brad. Judging the posts so far, I say he has it. Plus can you beat a flying super hero eating a snack?!

Fresh Chunky Guacamole

I'm not a fan of avocado but I love a good fresh guacamole. I've recently had the opportunity to make it and thought I'd share my recipe:

Fresh Chunky Guacamole

4 medium avocados
2 large chopped tomatoes
1/2 cup chopped red onion
1 fresh lime (just the juice)
4 tbsp chopped cilantro
1 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp fresh ground pepper
1/2 tsp salt

Do all the chopping. Combine the ingredients. And enjoy!

Discrimination!

Just one more reason that it doesn't pay to be single.

Somethings Go Without Saying

I mean really?!

Why Drink Diet?

Today at work I thought I was being helpful when I went to restock the fridge with Diet Dr Pepper. Normally the cases are left on the floor by the fridge but today the extras were stacked on top of it. I grabbed the ever popular case of diet DP only to find out that the handle was torn and quickly tearing even faster. I tried to help it slowly fall to the floor hoping that I could minimize the crash. As the case hit the floor one can popped open and began to spray all over, followed by another, and another, and another. Until all but three lonely cans had broken open and spewed forth. Needless to say I attracted a lot of attention in the office and fortunately some help in cleaning up. We found soda on the carpet, on the wall, the whiteboard, the cubicles, and even the ceiling. Good thing it was diet or we really would have had a big mess. But on the plus side everyone indulged in a little afternoon soda from the cans that didn't fully explode.

Take That Apple

With the announcement of the new iPhone, I thought everyone should remember about the competion too. See Microsoft's anwer to the iPhone:

This has been around a while but it's still funny.