The video is amazing. Here’s the story.

Within the next two weeks I will be beginning a short 3 mintue podcast that will be released once per week. It will available on Odeo and iTunes for free. You will also be able to listen to it straight from the blog without having to download a thing.

Aren’t I considerate?

This is just something fun to add another dimension to the blog. Plus it gives mom and pop a way to hear their sons accent slowly lose some of its Southern twang as he adjusts to life in the PacNo.

Alright. ‘Tis all.

A few Seattle facts, courtesy of Wikipedia:

Little Leaguer drops the f-bomb on ESPN.

In another effort of propaganda-like proportions, I am once again pushing the story of The Office onto all of you who have yet to discover this comedic gem.

The Season 3 premier is exactly one month from today, so I’m gonna try once-a-week to get you guys/gals prepared before then.

The following video (set to the greatest of songs – ‘Chocolate‘) is a montage of events that have defined the Jim Halpert and Pam Beesley relationship up to this point.

Carrying-on in the cheesy “name the trip” theme I’ve come accustomed to… I’ve dubbed my 8 (or 9) day drive from Jasper, Alabama to Seattle, Washington: The Big Move

But actually… there’s nothing big about my load. I’ll be driving my car and taking only my clothes.

That’s it. Why? Because the house will be fully furnished with the exception of my bedroom. And with the cost of renting a U-Haul van as well as a trailer to tow my car ($750), coupled with the price of gas ($400, arm & leg, plus a live baby), do the math… it’ll be cheaper to snag a new bed, chest of drawers, etc, when I get there.

The drive will take 8 days and will cover 12 states. I’ll be stopping along the way in St. Louis, Omaha, Devil’s Tower, The Badlands, and I’ll be spending a day or so in Yellowstone National Park before heading to Spokane and then onto Seattle.

I figure that if I’m going to be driving cross-country, why not make it count for something?

I’ll be posting pictures as they happen via my camera phone. You’ll be able to view them through a link that will be stationed at the top of the page.

The trip should be fun. South Dakota is supposed to be beautiful in late-August… yeah.

Leaving : Thursday, August 24 (or Friday, August 25) I haven’t really decided yet
Arriving : Friday, September 1
States : 12
Miles : approx. 2,600
Bags of Sunflower Seeds : approx. 3
12 oz cans of Diet Coke : approx. 25

More goodies from my “you’re dreaming if you think you can afford all that crap” website.

Don’t forget ladies, there’s one for you to get addicted to as well.

“Do you like to know who’s reading your blog?”

I get this question all the time. I do like to know who reads the blog. Then I know not to make fun of you. Kidding. However, I really do enjoy when people tell me follow the blog, even if they only hop to the site once or twice per week.

Over the course of the last few months, people I’ve never even met have emailed to tell me they read. Also, I have had quite the self esteem boost lately, especially over the last few weeks as I’ve bumped into many old friends who walk up and say, “Dude… I read your blog everyday.”

Needless to say… I’m flattered.

You have millions of websites to choose from, and according to statistics, people only consistently check 3 to 5 websites each day.

Your readership is valued.

I know that on any given weekday, about 300 people (about 2,000 per week) come through the doors of the blog . Of course, I have no real way of knowing who actually reads the blog. I have a stat counter, but it only tells me what city folks read from. And many times even that is misleading.

The second most asked question is, “I read… but I never comment or answer the Question of the Day. Does that matter?”

Why should it? If you wanna talk, that’s cool. If not, that’s cool too. It’s no big deal. I’m just glad to have you around.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: you guys and gals are the best… even the ugly ones… and the short ones… and the ones who weren’t “planned” by their parents.

You know who you are.

If you’ve never seen anything on Rick and Dick Hoyt before… just watch:

I came across this clip from the line at SeaTac International Airport (Seattle… Tacoma… get it? Good.) From last Thursday. While the video gives you a glimpse of the line, it doesn’t do it justsice.

But still, when you’re in the security line and you’re standing in the parking garage… not good.

This is quite possibly one of the coolest/cutest/most awesome things I have ever seen.

Baby screaming: “This is the Colbert Report!”

Just a little upgrade to make the blog a little more sleek/hip… but keeping with the plain and simple thing that I’ve come to love.

Don’t worry… that frowny picture won’t be up for long. I’ll put a better one up when I can find/take a better one to use.

The photo is from when Courtney came up from Salerno, Italy to rendevous with me in Rome. We walked around for almost and hour looking for this historic spot (come to think of it… I forgot what it was we were looking for). Anywho, when we finally found it… it was closed. So, we took this picture to commemorate our sadness… then we ate a “blood orange” and threw the peeling to birds — such a nasty trick.

A number of you have already inquired about the possibility of vsiting the Puget Sound metro-area once I’m settled there.

As if you even need to ask.

Accomodations will be provided free of charge to anyone who so choses to visit the Seattle after September 1st.

I’ll be living in a 4 bedroom/3 bathroom house on Queen Anne Hill, the same neighborhood as the fictional home of Meredith, Cristina, Izzie, and George from Grey’s Anatomy (I’ll tell you about housemates later). And while we have a roof-top deck, I seriously doubt we’ll have the same view. Though it never hurts to be on top of a hill.

So plan your trips. Southwest always has good deals if you buy a month or so in advance. I’ll pick you up at the airport. There’s more than enough to do in the Seattle area, depending how long you visit. Most of what needs to be seen can be seen within 2 days. However, trips to Mount St. Helens and whale watching expeditions take up most of the day.

What the crap can you do?

Bainbridge Island Ferry at sunset
Pike Place Market
Dinner in the Space Needle
Seattle Central Library
Drink coffee at the orignal Starbucks
Fremont Troll/Fremont District
Gas Works Park to have a picnic and watch the sailboats/water planes come in-and-out
Experience Music Project
University of Washington/U-District
Shop for outdoor gear at REI
Pacific Science Center
Ballard Locks
Discovery Park
Seattle Aquarium
Kerry Park

…if you come at the right time

Seahawks game
Sonics game
Mariners game
Sounders game
Thunderbirds game
UofW huskies football/basketball game
…or a number of concerts by top artists that seem to happen nearly every weekend

..and if you’ve got some extra time

Day trip to Vancouver, Canada
Day trip to Mount St Helens
Day trip to mountains for snow skiing
Day trip to Mount Rainier for hiking/camping
Day trip for whale watching
Day trip to the Oregon/Washington coastline
Day trip to Portland, OR
Day trip to Vashon Island/camp-out

I’ll find out more junk to do once I’m immersed into the culture/lifestyle of the area.

…that last sentence didn’t really mean what it my imply. I’m straight as a freaking arrow.

Some recent additions to my iPod – some are new, some are not. And yes… I do appreciate the “you suggested it, and then I bought it, and then I listened to it everyday on teh way to work” comments. My self esteem is boosted ever so slightly.

So, put them on your credit card… you can pay for them later.

Flowers in the Window by Travis

Gone Daddy Gone by Gnarls Barkley

Sing by The Dresden Dolls

The Funeral by Band of Horses

Dark Blue by Jack’s Mannequin

Black Swan by Thom Yorke*

Ready to Fall by Rise Against

Bless the Broken Road by Selah

In This Life by Chantal Kreviazuk

Carry Me Ohio by Sun Kil Moon

Do It For Me Now by Angels & Airwaves

The Riddle by Five for Fighting

The Diary of Jane by Breaking Benjamin

…and, if I’m being honest:

Sexy Love by Ne-Yo

Lond Bridge by Fergie*

Gallery by Mario Vazquez

*Denotes songs in which the “Clean” version should be purchased if you are a babysitter.