tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7632710115594328742024-03-13T21:47:26.218-07:00Tombo's BlogMy life - at least some of it.TomboCheckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11076931481931258301noreply@blogger.comBlogger1513125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763271011559432874.post-11567062005909071072013-05-07T11:40:00.001-07:002013-05-07T11:42:36.965-07:00Silence the noise<p>I move towards a life less cluttered. Less cluttered with stuff. Less cluttered with distractions. In this day and age it is a difficult thing to do. I’ve eschewed a smart phone in favor or a dumb one – even though all the cell companies tell me they’ll give me one for free, that it will be a minimal extra charge per month for the plethora of additional capabilities I will have at my fingertips. Those same capabilities which will keep me distracted and entertained during times of boredom, and eventually during the non-bored times as well. Dinners with family, conversations with friends, quiet moments alone – all disrupted so I can check my email, google that thing I can’t remember, show everybody the latest and greatest cat video I’ve seen in the last three hours.</p> <p> </p> <p>So I choose the dumber option, which is still more than happy to beep and buzz far too often as it is. I learn to turn it off – to silence the noise. I check it when when it is convenient for me. People don’t understand – and god knows I’m far from adept at it yet – but I’m working on it. </p> <p> </p> <p>We choose not to have television service at the house, and when our room mate moves out we will cancel the internet as well. My truck is gone and I drag my feet on replacing it. I try to rein in those consumptive desires that the current society esteems so highly. I only buy the things I think I need, and I get rid of them when they offer less than I need of them; when they stop adding to my life and start subtracting from it.</p> <p> </p> <p>It does not happen all at once – it is a process like any other. Slow and clumsy at first – but it builds as you build within yourself the environment which fosters the end result you want to achieve. Like taking all the crap food out of our diet – at first we crave that which is gone – but eventually the cravings subside and we are left feeling somehow more whole afterword. Sometimes the things we do just feel ‘right’. A less cluttered life gives me that feeling.</p> <p> </p> <p>What is it that makes you feel right?</p> TomboCheckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11076931481931258301noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763271011559432874.post-47101900059759318662013-05-01T12:33:00.001-07:002013-05-01T12:33:48.645-07:00A change in format.<p>Well, it looks like the blog has run dry. At least in its current iteration. And so – it’s time for a change. A change in focus, perhaps a change in design, but a change towards something that piques my interest and allows me to feel like this is worthwhile.</p> <p> </p> <p>So now, instead of posting pictures about my day to day life here in Prescott I’ll be posting something else. Topics will probably focus on nutrition and fitness, some simple living, and maybe a little bit of food porn every now and again.</p> <p> </p> <p>I’ll probably be using more words, and injecting a bit more opinion into it. I’m looking forward to it. </p> TomboCheckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11076931481931258301noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763271011559432874.post-74715350606317722472013-03-19T09:40:00.001-07:002013-03-19T09:40:51.305-07:00Broke truck and grand vistas.<p>It doesn’t seem like all that much has been going on in my life lately, but I suppose there are some updates to be posted. For one thing – the 4Runner has officially bit the bullet. With 315,000 miles on the ticker I heard a bad grinding noise and then the engine stalled. When I took the poor gal apart I found this:</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/8525130657/sizes/z" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8510/8525130657_b53cecbfea_z.jpg" width="350" height="233" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>A shattered valve shim, with a valve lifter shoved a little funky into the block:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/8526241504/sizes/l" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8510/8526241504_f041b09a62_b.jpg" width="350" height="232" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>The cost to repair the valve assembly and replace the head is more than the truck is worth by a good bit, so it’s time for the beast to go on to the graveyard. It’s been a great ride though, and I’ll definitely miss it.</p> <p> </p> <p>So now my day-to-day life is a little bit more local, limited to where my feet can take me, or where Courtney wants to drive when we have time off together. C’est la vie. </p> <p> </p> <p>We did get to spend some time down in the canyon for spring break, which was a blast, as usual. I saw some swirly rocks:</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/8569235146/sizes/l" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8376/8569235146_cd0feaff01_b.jpg" width="262" height="350" /></a>\</p> <p>And some swirly water:</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/8568139311/sizes/l/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8087/8568139311_6e88c8208e_b.jpg" width="350" height="262" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>I also had the opportunity to get off the beaten path and hike a route called the ARZ, which was amazing! Filled with grand vistas of the canyon (bright angel creek seen here):</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/8569241034/sizes/l/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8100/8569241034_a5ec82b4ae_b.jpg" width="321" height="450" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>Not a bad spot to hang out:</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/8568149697/sizes/l" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8512/8568149697_5071e2beea_b.jpg" width="263" height="350" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>Other than that:</p> <p>- I will be starting a new job in the nearish future, making coffee at Starbucks, and scratching another item off the ol’ bucket list. </p> <p>- Prescott is starting to warm up again, making me miss my daily forays into the woods with the dog.</p> <p>- Life is pretty great.</p> TomboCheckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11076931481931258301noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763271011559432874.post-80573555765682445962013-01-08T11:26:00.001-07:002013-01-08T11:26:00.804-07:00A new year already?!<p>My how time flies! Not much new happening in our neck of the woods. I’m learning to speak Spanish and play the guitar, we both got the new-year cold out of the way. Other than that, there has been a bit of this:</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/8293637959/sizes/l" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8354/8293637959_ec69aa24dc_b.jpg" width="298" height="450" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>And a bit of that:</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/8357314135/sizes/l/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8098/8357314135_7cef1e30a0_b.jpg" width="450" height="338" /></a></p> <p></p> <p> </p> <p>Mostly though, we are just spending lots of time with the friends and family who make it all worthwhile, cooking and eating and drinking with those we love.  It’s a pretty darn good life. </p> TomboCheckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11076931481931258301noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763271011559432874.post-10246186961041411702012-12-14T08:08:00.001-07:002012-12-14T08:08:09.643-07:00Good things<p>My cousin just posted a video about what he’s been getting up to in Africa. Pretty amazing.</p> <iframe height="281" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/55586108?badge=0" frameborder="0" width="500" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" mozallowfullscreen="mozallowfullscreen" webkitallowfullscreen="webkitallowfullscreen"></iframe> <p><a href="http://vimeo.com/55586108">Imagine Water Sierra Leone</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user15145634">John Campbell</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p> TomboCheckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11076931481931258301noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763271011559432874.post-5689820152179663702012-11-26T09:06:00.001-07:002012-11-26T09:06:08.068-07:00Turkey day<p>Courtney, Mom, Myself, and a friend Cailey went to Jerome to have thanksgiving dinner with Nikki at her place:</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/8221322992/sizes/l" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8341/8221322992_fa4b26cd94_b.jpg" width="350" height="232" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/8220246197/sizes/l" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8057/8220246197_681be4e038_b.jpg" width="350" height="232" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/8220250297/sizes/l" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8337/8220250297_19058f698b_b.jpg" width="232" height="350" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/8220253123/sizes/l" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8339/8220253123_6126caae6e_b.jpg" width="232" height="350" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/8220258881/sizes/l" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8200/8220258881_3e3186f067_b.jpg" width="232" height="350" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/8221342006/sizes/l" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8208/8221342006_1252c2f449_b.jpg" width="350" height="232" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/8221344288/sizes/l" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8484/8221344288_17ff166235_b.jpg" width="232" height="350" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/8220266319/sizes/l" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8065/8220266319_c407a9e344_b.jpg" width="232" height="350" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/8220267781/sizes/l/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8059/8220267781_e11efe3b46_b.jpg" width="350" height="232" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/8220269229/sizes/l" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8201/8220269229_4f543d9a09_b.jpg" width="350" height="232" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>Not pictured – brocolli/chz/potato casserole which was baking during picture time.</p> TomboCheckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11076931481931258301noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763271011559432874.post-62334008258392369102012-11-26T08:48:00.001-07:002012-11-26T08:48:40.770-07:00A trip to the east<p>I took a trip this fall to see my friends who live near Washington DC. Chris and Shayla put me up in grand style!</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/8142257748/sizes/l" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8186/8142257748_192576a8ef_b.jpg" width="350" height="232" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>We ate out at a ton of restaurants, sat at home and watched movies, cooked, drank, and generally just had the type of amazing time you have with close friends while on vacation. Some pics - </p> <p>Fall colors in the Shenandoah's:</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/8142280108/sizes/l" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8056/8142280108_ce1bfc4cbb_b.jpg" width="350" height="233" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/8142266853/sizes/l" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8468/8142266853_45f437d2cb_b.jpg" width="232" height="350" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>We hiked along the Potomac at Great Falls park:</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/8142459722/sizes/l" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8186/8142459722_8f03074a15_b.jpg" width="350" height="232" /></a></p> <p>We saw the loch system that used to get river boats past the falls:</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/8142468336/sizes/l" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8475/8142468336_d3aca4ab75_b.jpg" width="350" height="232" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>And, of course, we went into the city for a bit of the touristy stuff:</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/8142419357/sizes/l" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8193/8142419357_91cf23b5fe_b.jpg" width="350" height="232" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/8142445526/sizes/l" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8323/8142445526_d3068e2137_b.jpg" width="350" height="232" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>I couldn’t have asked for a better break from AZ!</p> TomboCheckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11076931481931258301noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763271011559432874.post-66091206708082780922012-09-28T10:05:00.001-07:002012-09-28T10:09:04.410-07:00Havasupai<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/8030168364/sizes/l/in/photostream/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8182/8030168364_a4c0671d73_b.jpg" width="350" height="262" /></a></p> <p>Last weekend a group of us went down to <a href="http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/havasupai.htm" target="_blank">Havasupai</a>. It was a great trip. There were seven of us total, We had two nights in the campgrounds, and two of our days were nice and overcast. We swam in the turquoise waters, we hiked to the major falls, we had fun. I took my little Canon G9 camera, and tried not to worry about photos too much. </p> <p> </p> <p>Beginning the hike in:</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/8029883534/sizes/l/in/photostream/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8040/8029883534_1407122f5d_b.jpg" width="350" height="262" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>Lil’ Navajo Falls:</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/8029941044/sizes/l/in/photostream/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8452/8029941044_10b22dc1c0_b.jpg" width="262" height="350" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>We swam in the pool below Havasu Falls:</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/8029971567/sizes/l/in/photostream/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8042/8029971567_ed62ce95f0_b.jpg" width="262" height="350" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>We hiked to Mooney falls, and tested our mettle on the chains and ladders that you must go down (<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4V_vLuQnEps&feature=related" target="_blank">here’s a video of somebody else doing it</a>) to continue the hike:</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/8030024093/sizes/l/in/photostream/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8039/8030024093_5cb5875023_b.jpg" width="262" height="350" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/8030154457/sizes/l/in/photostream/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8314/8030154457_8e33ca8151_b.jpg" width="262" height="350" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>And I got a closer look from the top of Mooney as well:</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/8030024578/sizes/l/in/photostream/"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8174/8030024578_d47814ee9b_b.jpg" width="350" height="257" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>We made it all the way to Beaver falls, where we swam and cavorted in the water, ate a lunch, and hung out for a bit:</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/8030125604/sizes/l/in/photostream/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8452/8030125604_6428535e73_b.jpg" width="262" height="350" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>Most of use slept in hammocks, which allowed us a great slice of the stellar view at night (this being the only time the little G9 couldn’t get the picture I wanted):</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/8030155080/sizes/l/in/photostream/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8029/8030155080_e9e8445aa6_b.jpg" width="262" height="350" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>We had a fairly leisurely hike out, stopping at the cafe in the Indian village to eat a breakfast at get some more coffee in our systems. On the hike one of our party caught sight of a little fox lounging in the shade:</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/8030221525/sizes/l/in/set-72157631635764242/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8041/8030221525_282a72b8a0_b.jpg" width="350" height="262" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>And at long last we made it out, for the three hour drive back home, with a great parting view:</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/8030232054/sizes/l/in/photostream/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8316/8030232054_0042286878_b.jpg" width="350" height="261" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>For all the pictures, see the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/sets/72157631635764242/with/8030155080/" target="_blank">Flickr Set Here</a></p> TomboCheckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11076931481931258301noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763271011559432874.post-9880936210433753022012-09-10T09:22:00.001-07:002012-09-10T09:22:11.336-07:00Changes and adventures<p>The big change around these parts is that I’ve asked Courtney to marry me. Hooray! Now for the wedding planning… </p> <p>A picture, from right after I asked her, while swimming in Phantom Canyon (at the bottom of the Grand Canyon):</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/7971831082" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8442/7971831082_73a0d0d7f4_z.jpg" width="450" height="338" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>So that’s the big excitement. Other than that – I’ve got a hiking trip planned with room mate and friends to go down to <a href="http://www.havasupaitribe.com/waterfalls.html" target="_blank">Havasu Falls</a> for a few days later this month. Next month I’m going to go out to D.C. to see my best friend again for a week or so. </p> <p> </p> <p>Excitement abounds!</p> TomboCheckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11076931481931258301noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763271011559432874.post-4375611654923302152012-07-11T10:41:00.001-07:002012-07-11T10:41:51.492-07:00Still don’t feel like writing.<p>I’m alive, but not in the literary mood, so here’s pictures. Solar eclipse, St. Louis botanical gardens, fishing with family, fireworks:</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/7174285883/sizes/l" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8155/7174285883_1855ae8f92_b.jpg" width="350" height="232" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/7359526498/sizes/z" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8009/7359526498_e56b81f2b0_z.jpg" width="450" height="108" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/7362932032/sizes/l/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7099/7362932032_44834829df_b.jpg" width="350" height="266" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/7177887831/sizes/l" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7217/7177887831_3ffa5868df_b.jpg" width="262" height="350" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/7363104566/sizes/l" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8152/7363104566_2161dd2949_b.jpg" width="350" height="262" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/7363162558/sizes/l" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7084/7363162558_9e672aa071_b.jpg" width="256" height="350" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/7363184910/sizes/l/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7090/7363184910_c85cb69923_b.jpg" width="262" height="350" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/7363238910/sizes/l" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7081/7363238910_a520c25f42_b.jpg" width="350" height="262" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/7550856446/sizes/l" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8428/7550856446_2f6ba18c4e_b.jpg" width="232" height="350" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/7550851246/sizes/l" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8022/7550851246_252179eb1d_b.jpg" width="232" height="350" /></a></p> TomboCheckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11076931481931258301noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763271011559432874.post-80851520320295435232012-04-30T09:52:00.001-07:002012-04-30T09:52:15.067-07:00It’s that time of year<p>Kicking back, laying in the grass, living spring.</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/7113170935/sizes/l" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7039/7113170935_105b603ef5_b.jpg" width="450" height="299" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/6967089712/sizes/l" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8025/6967089712_16ef64cd6a_b.jpg" width="450" height="299" /></a></p> TomboCheckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11076931481931258301noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763271011559432874.post-60087863775609849562012-04-26T10:05:00.001-07:002012-04-26T10:05:22.792-07:00A day at the track? Not quite.<p>The lady and I wandered around downtown last weekend and happened upon a whole bunch of <a href="http://www.beataz.com/" target="_blank">european cars doing a run from Phoenix to Flagstaff</a>. I didn’t have my camera handy, and we had plans to go out for lunch, so we decided to mix it up. We headed to Jerome for lunch, and stopped along the way to await the cars on one of the many curves of 89A. Good times!</p> <p> </p> <p>The new <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MP4-12C" target="_blank">McLaren MP4-12C</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/6967104496/sizes/l" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7136/6967104496_9df3068c33_b.jpg" width="450" height="246" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>A vintage <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triumph_TR6" target="_blank">Triumph TR6</a>, of which there were many:</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/7113193845/sizes/l/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5316/7113193845_7b4e4cfcef_b.jpg" width="450" height="299" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>A car totally unknown to me, but with styling that was super retro:</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/6967120818/sizes/l/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8160/6967120818_c33bac99a0_b.jpg" width="450" height="299" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>A <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaguar_Mark_2" target="_blank">Jaguar Mark2</a> looking luxurious:</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/6967123956/sizes/l" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8160/6967123956_7e2c190d61_b.jpg" width="450" height="299" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>An <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V12_Vanquish" target="_blank">Aston Martin V12 Vanquish</a> (a noisy devil!):</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/6967124614/sizes/l/" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5152/6967124614_ed732d0ffb_b.jpg" width="450" height="299" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>A <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaguar_E_Type" target="_blank">Jaguar E-Type</a>:</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/6967126868/sizes/l" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8025/6967126868_65cc89b533_b.jpg" width="450" height="299" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>A <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolls-Royce_Phantom_V" target="_blank">Rolls-Royce Phantom V</a>:</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/6967129212/sizes/l" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7228/6967129212_c30ddc786f_b.jpg" width="450" height="360" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>A <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaguar_XJ_%28X351%29" target="_blank">Jaguar XJ</a>, one of the more modern cars in the lot:</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/7113209315/sizes/l" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8017/7113209315_77c31b0479_b.jpg" width="450" height="299" /></a></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p> </p> <p>A <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lotus_Esprit" target="_blank">Lotus Esprit</a>:</p> <p><a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7249/7113212361_5ac0ae10b9_b.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7249/7113212361_5ac0ae10b9_b.jpg" width="450" height="299" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>A little <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MG_Midget" target="_blank">MG</a> going through the curves:</p> <p><a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7230/7113180653_c9aa4568f1_b.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7230/7113180653_c9aa4568f1_b.jpg" width="360" height="450" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>And the last image of the day, a vintage <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferrari_330" target="_blank">Ferrari (330 I believe)</a>:</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/6967101464/sizes/l" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8159/6967101464_5bfc533475_b.jpg" width="450" height="299" /></a></p> TomboCheckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11076931481931258301noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763271011559432874.post-4204565845647888432012-04-04T10:56:00.001-07:002012-04-04T10:56:43.125-07:00Well, don’t I just feel silly now?<p>I finished setting up my Google+ account. During that process I deleted what I thought was an oddly-imported folder of images attached to my google account. Turns out – that was the folder that had all the thumbnail images I’ve posted to the blog since… like forever (actually – the First day of 2010). Oops. There goes the blog’s worth for re-telling the pictoral story of my last two years. </p> <p> </p> <p>Yep, I feel pretty silly. And that is why, if you are viewing this on the website, all of those images have an exclamation point. </p> <p> </p> <p>I’m not even sure how much effort I want to put into recovering it at this point. </p> TomboCheckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11076931481931258301noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763271011559432874.post-520208768335492632012-04-02T09:59:00.001-07:002012-04-02T09:59:30.334-07:00Katch-up<p>Far too long since posting. So what’s new in the land de Tom? </p> <p>Well, my sister Tiffany has moved back from Virginia with <a href="http://tombocheck.blogspot.com/2010/11/and-then-there-were-children.html" target="_blank">the family</a>. We are all pretty excited to have them close by, and we had the opportunity to go see them for my niece Chloe’s 10th birthday. The day started out at the zoo, checking out all the animals:</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/6793412898/sizes/l" target="_blank"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4Grudq4sGH0/T3naw7ow1hI/AAAAAAAABvg/fjveTV94Yic/image4.png?imgmax=800" width="354" height="236" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p>I shot photos of animals. On both sides of the glass:</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/6793454092/sizes/l/" target="_blank"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-IZhi_jQKMa4/T3naxiQq5FI/AAAAAAAABvo/O-HeBwlUyss/image9.png?imgmax=800" width="354" height="236" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/6793462466/sizes/l/" target="_blank"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3wbETKfPgQg/T3nayi4wGBI/AAAAAAAABvw/HcMniJRTMr0/image14.png?imgmax=800" width="236" height="354" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p>Then it was time for the party. Pizza, cake, and presents – everything a girl could hope for. </p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/6793474076/sizes/l" target="_blank"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-iFaQXWpCexA/T3nazPwFSdI/AAAAAAAABv4/WYr_-avSi5Q/image19.png?imgmax=800" width="354" height="284" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p>It was a great time, and I’m super glad to have them.</p> <p> </p> <p>The next big thing was going to the Grand Canyon over spring break. Courtney, myself, my sis Nikki, her beau Michael, and our friend Tony headed down to Phantom Ranch for a few days of vacation. As always, it was amazing. We hiked to Ribbon Falls, which was a real treat, as well as up the Clear Creek Overlook.</p> <p> </p> <p>Pics:</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/6998781711/sizes/l/" target="_blank"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-v8OkQfAE58A/T3naz0KV4kI/AAAAAAAABwA/AExXAmAgZck/image%25255B5%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="266" height="354" /></a>   </p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/6854019534/sizes/l" target="_blank"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Dxu__s7g7YI/T3na04dg9SI/AAAAAAAABwI/sDYi1ZRQs9Y/image%25255B10%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="354" height="266" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/6854178600/sizes/l/" target="_blank"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-81hgs-RmPfk/T3na1kaVQTI/AAAAAAAABwQ/-lz9SIug4dU/image%25255B15%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="269" height="354" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/7000235107/sizes/l" target="_blank"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-JNBM36HgCHg/T3na2ftFWDI/AAAAAAAABwY/Tc-AdiuwpfA/image%25255B20%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="266" height="354" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/6854148910/sizes/l" target="_blank"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7qAQEr9RWF0/T3na3g87eEI/AAAAAAAABwg/ORsrKkqJz4E/image%25255B25%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="266" height="354" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/6854120282/sizes/l" target="_blank"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rEwkDuIJKwE/T3na4MrBipI/AAAAAAAABwo/AVGB1o0hDk4/image%25255B30%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="354" height="266" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>Other than all that, it is spring time in Prescott. I’m still waiting tables, I’m now the trainer for any new servers we get, and I’m training to be a bartender. Lots of time out in the woods with the hound, lots of quiet hours at home with Courtney. Life is, as usual, pretty amazing and awesome.</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/6893112498/sizes/l" target="_blank"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ORJU4TV7d4Q/T3na54XUO-I/AAAAAAAABww/Ck8ZnlwB1FU/image%25255B38%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="354" height="266" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/6893115496/sizes/l/" target="_blank"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_aPBpwFDFWc/T3na7wffHoI/AAAAAAAABw4/JEAMrPss8YA/image%25255B43%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="236" height="354" /></a></p> TomboCheckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11076931481931258301noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763271011559432874.post-75139531189480690612012-02-14T09:02:00.001-07:002012-04-25T11:42:27.383-07:00Happy Valentines day, to all the lovers in the world<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/6755942095" target="_blank"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-L-ifa8ypzY0/TzqFoOgEFLI/AAAAAAAABog/eNT9OVT0gkk/image%25255B4%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="454" height="302" /></a></p> TomboCheckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11076931481931258301noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763271011559432874.post-86596346375171360592012-02-13T09:42:00.001-07:002012-02-13T09:42:49.429-07:00I’ll just leave this here.<p>Ummm… yeah. </p> <p><a title="http://www.marksdailyapple.com/flow/#axzz1mHNI26ou" href="http://www.marksdailyapple.com/flow/#axzz1mHNI26ou">http://www.marksdailyapple.com/flow/#axzz1mHNI26ou</a></p> TomboCheckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11076931481931258301noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763271011559432874.post-64524641711874480392012-02-03T09:39:00.001-07:002012-02-03T09:39:47.088-07:00Escape<p>This is our escape. A few days off in the desert. Reading, cooking, hiking, talking. Nowhere to be, and nothing to do. </p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/6731067585/sizes/l" target="_blank"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-u7o-kP3Tytk/TywNydUwZDI/AAAAAAAABn4/N_HN2v4vn4Q/image%25255B4%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="354" height="236" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/6731095187/sizes/l" target="_blank"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FDEq9mXBUu4/TywNy4jraVI/AAAAAAAABoA/agkN2BxjNtU/image%25255B9%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="236" height="354" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/6731016305/sizes/l" target="_blank"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_Emp6_Li7Qk/TywNzXsLx5I/AAAAAAAABoI/oRpfz_p9vM4/image%25255B14%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="236" height="354" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/6730987035/sizes/l" target="_blank"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-GSEafzKKfBI/TywN0CA6XAI/AAAAAAAABoQ/dsRrZAMo-cY/image%25255B19%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="354" height="236" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/6731031461/sizes/l" target="_blank"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WxOONJjnB34/TywN0ghqwyI/AAAAAAAABoY/_t9ebGmv0x4/image%25255B24%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="354" height="236" /></a></p> TomboCheckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11076931481931258301noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763271011559432874.post-35402213649245194052012-01-19T07:05:00.001-07:002012-01-19T07:05:06.869-07:00It’s not often that I get political.<p>So I won’t go into depth about this whole SOPA PIPA. If you want info on what is going on, check out this wiki article: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stop_Online_Piracy_Act" target="_blank">SOPA</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PROTECT_IP_Act" target="_blank">PIPA</a> (<a href="http://fightforthefuture.org/pipa/" target="_blank">also a great video on PIPA)</a>. </p> <p> </p> <p>To help stop these acts from passing, <a href="https://blacklist.eff.org/" target="_blank">go here</a>, and <a href="http://www.avaaz.org/en/save_the_internet_action_center_b/?ctshCbb" target="_blank">here too</a> for AZ residents.</p> <p> </p> <p>So yeah – let’s raise a ruckus. </p> TomboCheckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11076931481931258301noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763271011559432874.post-55555445659041313922012-01-10T09:15:00.001-07:002012-01-10T09:15:57.285-07:00Just a little update<p>It’s getting awful quiet around here. I have been remiss in my writing duties. Alas, the spark of creativity refuses to hit, and so the blog goes dormant. This is not to say that I haven’t been doing anything. Rather, it seems that I have been enjoying my day-to-day life so much that writing about it is loses appeal.</p> <p> </p> <p>So here is a quick update before I get back to my daily biz:</p> <p>- I’m still working at The Office restaurant, waiting tables. I’m getting good at it, and having a pretty good time doing it as well. It’s fun to deal with the general population, but I sure do miss the outdoorsy-ness of the vineyard.</p> <p>- Christmas was quiet. I worked on my sister’s truck and cooked dinner at my mom’s house. We did a small gift exchange, and just generally had a good time. Courtney was in Missouri visiting family.</p> <p>- By new years she was home, so we went to downtown Prescott and drank with friends to celebrate the next 365 days. We watched the <a href="http://www.dcourier.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1086&ArticleID=101697" target="_blank">first annual boot drop</a>, and then went home and passed out.</p> <p>- I’m still being all fit and stuff. For a few weeks we had snow out in the woods, so I was out hiking with the dog a few times. We did silly things like make a snowman:</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/6521715073/sizes/l/" target="_blank"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jv3ShON9Mn0/TwxkK5jq-6I/AAAAAAAABm4/XOfeGh7uoto/image%25255B5%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="261" height="354" /></a> </p> <p>But then all the snow melted, so I’ve reverted to more running, although I’m mixing it up by running in <a href="http://lunasandals.com/sandals/2-the-original-luna" target="_blank">‘barefoot’ sandals.</a> Still lifting weights, with Courtney, at the Y twice a week as well. </p> <p>I’ve also been trying to get out for bouldering whenever I have a day off. I did manage to go climbing with some friends who were in from Oregon last week, which was a blast. I even climbed my first <a href="http://www.spadout.com/wiki/index.php/Climbing_Grades" target="_blank">5.9 route</a>, which was neat.</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/6649556879/sizes/l" target="_blank"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-EHvAP8e5wtI/TwxkL1XMwZI/AAAAAAAABnA/FdNEsHlkLgU/image%25255B10%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="236" height="354" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/6649688797/sizes/l" target="_blank"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Wqn0psGz7wo/TwxkMU-UtzI/AAAAAAAABnI/8enILhOtnwA/image%25255B15%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="236" height="354" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/6649737087/sizes/l" target="_blank"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-HPd_TiGCXj4/TwxkNCDeTeI/AAAAAAAABnQ/nNOSX_tvmVI/image%25255B20%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="354" height="236" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/6649682305/sizes/l" target="_blank"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Xm7hDcSq0cU/TwxkOa8HS2I/AAAAAAAABnY/u-Dxd6y289I/image%25255B25%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="236" height="354" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p>- Other than that, I’ve just been trying to enjoy the quiet moments of life:</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/6649533865/sizes/l/" target="_blank"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rpgB_uIk1rA/TwxkPJ5V6QI/AAAAAAAABng/W2PpRM32IuI/image%25255B30%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="354" height="236" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p>Hope everybody out there is loving life. </p> TomboCheckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11076931481931258301noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763271011559432874.post-56363009844788637082011-12-01T12:22:00.001-07:002011-12-01T12:22:17.588-07:00It’s that holiday season.<p>Courtney and I hosted thanksgiving dinner at our place. After last year’s <a href="http://tombocheck.blogspot.com/search?q=savannah" target="_blank">boring turkey day in Savannah</a>, I was thrilled to be able to have people over to celebrate. Mom and Nikki came over, as did some friends from the vineyard and some friends from the new place of employment. I cooked all day, and we ended up with a rocking feast!</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/6437545623/sizes/l/in/photostream/" target="_blank"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Ema7waios5Q/TtfT6P5OgJI/AAAAAAAABl0/xj4ZoUhw1Vk/image%25255B4%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="354" height="266" /></a> </p> <p>Out of our kitchen the menu was:</p> <p>-Roasted garlic/rubbed sage turkey breast</p> <p>-Sweet bbq ham</p> <p>-Mashed cauliflower</p> <p>-Bacon wrapped dates</p> <p>-Roasted root veggies</p> <p>-Apple/sausage quinoa</p> <p>-Birdie seed bars</p> <p>And to accompany all this our friends and family brought:</p> <p>-Mac & Cheese</p> <p>-Chicken enchilada casserole</p> <p>-Classic sweet potatoes</p> <p>- Salad</p> <p>- Flourless chocolate cake</p> <p>- Espresso/chocolate balls</p> <p>- A whole gaggle of wine.</p> <p> </p> <p>As expected – everybody over-ate, had a good time, drank, and was merry. </p> <p>I had a blast, and can’t wait to do it again next year!</p> TomboCheckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11076931481931258301noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763271011559432874.post-84643423461812407612011-11-18T14:47:00.001-07:002011-11-18T14:47:12.047-07:00Oh hey, by the way. I made a book.<p> </p> <p>Yes, after much nudging from friends and family, I pieced together 120 pictures from the trip, and made a coffee table book out of it. I’m pretty proud of the result. Feel free to look at the preview (first 15 pages). It’s up for sale for $36.95+s/h. There’s no profit in it for me, just the fun of having something to hold in my little hands. :)</p> <div style="border-bottom: #a0a0a0 10px solid; position: relative; border-left: #a0a0a0 10px solid; padding-bottom: 10px; background-color: white; margin: 0px; padding-left: 10px; width: 240px; padding-right: 10px; height: 120px; border-top: #a0a0a0 10px solid; border-right: #a0a0a0 10px solid; padding-top: 10px" id="badge"> <div style="position: absolute; text-align: center; padding-bottom: 0px; line-height: 116px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; width: 118px; padding-right: 0px; height: 100px; top: 10px; padding-top: 0px; left: 10px"><a style="padding-bottom: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" href="http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/2669610/?utm_source=badge&utm_medium=banner&utm_content=280x160" target="_blank"><img style="border-bottom: #a7a7a7 1px solid; border-left: #a7a7a7 1px solid; padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; width: 116px; padding-right: 0px; vertical-align: middle; border-top: #a7a7a7 1px solid; border-right: #a7a7a7 1px solid; padding-top: 0px" alt="25,000 Miles of America" src="http://www.blurb.com//images/uploads/catalog/33/2224333/2898283-6bf6948f67951dd578f5ac6455a4f0b9.jpg" /> </a></div> <div style="position: absolute; text-align: left; padding-bottom: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; width: 120px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; overflow: hidden; border-left-width: 0px; top: 58px; padding-top: 0px; left: 138px"> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; line-height: 18px; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; width: 105px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; overflow: hidden; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px"><a style="font: bold 12px arial, helvetica, sans-serif; color: #fd7820; text-decoration: none" href="http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/2669610?utm_source=badge&utm_medium=banner&utm_content=280x160">25,000 Miles o...</a> </div> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; font: bold 10px/15px arial, helvetica, sans-serif; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; color: #545454; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px"></div> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; font: 10px/15px arial, helvetica, sans-serif; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; color: #545454; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px">By Thomas Check </div> </div> <div style="position: absolute; padding-bottom: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; bottom: 8px; padding-right: 0px; font: 10px/15px arial, helvetica, sans-serif; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; color: #fd7820; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; left: 138px"><a style="color: #fd7820; text-decoration: none" title="Book Preview" href="http://www.blurb.com/books/2669610" only_path="false" force="true">Book Preview</a> </div> <div style="position: absolute; padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; top: 10px; right: 10px; padding-top: 0px"><a style="padding-bottom: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; text-decoration: none; padding-top: 0px" title="Photo book" href="http://www.blurb.com/?utm_source=badge&utm_medium=banner&utm_content=280x160" target="_blank"><img style="padding-bottom: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" alt="Photo book" src="http://www.blurb.com/images/badge/photo-book.png" /> </a></div> <div style="border-bottom: black 0px solid; border-left: black 0px solid; clear: both; border-top: black 0px solid; border-right: black 0px solid"></div> </div> TomboCheckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11076931481931258301noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763271011559432874.post-58681480512454183502011-11-17T15:44:00.001-07:002011-11-17T15:44:23.914-07:00But everything works out.<p>My bank account gets ready to run out, but dad sends me a check to keep me afloat. The day it arrives I get a call back from a restaurant. They want to hire me! And so now I’m employed, and trying to figure out how to be a server. And I’m having a blast doing it! </p> <p> </p> <p>Other than that, I’ve been living on the cheap, so it’s lots of walking and exercise, enjoying the changing of the seasons as we go from summer into this:</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/6283832648/sizes/l" target="_blank"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qgMw9GUiNvY/TsWOP36GZeI/AAAAAAAABlY/WwuJFyLBg5o/image%25255B4%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="266" height="354" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p>Haven’t been doing much photography, nor have I been bouldering of late, due to dropping temps out in the woods. For now I watch the colors change, I enjoy cooking every night with my lady and our room mate, and simply live life. It’s a good thing.</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/6286252481/sizes/l/" target="_blank"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KICLcoUc6wE/TsWORtZY7nI/AAAAAAAABlg/EL8Y7PHAFEk/image%25255B9%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="354" height="284" /></a></p> TomboCheckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11076931481931258301noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763271011559432874.post-75531050169761003292011-10-24T09:39:00.001-07:002011-10-24T09:39:28.109-07:00While I wait, there is lots of this:<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/6202202522/sizes/l" target="_blank"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-QAj95AoIVeM/TqWUuUJTntI/AAAAAAAABlA/JDYPiGif-pA/image%25255B10%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="236" height="354" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/6201709005/sizes/l/" target="_blank"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-MXwPRtt2gjg/TqWUvBap9kI/AAAAAAAABlI/2F_sohNbYqs/image%25255B12%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="236" height="354" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/6201658873/sizes/l" target="_blank"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-cIkEPKwHPyc/TqWUv3vbBMI/AAAAAAAABlQ/JBNEKS7tT2M/image%25255B14%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="236" height="354" /></a></p> TomboCheckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11076931481931258301noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763271011559432874.post-2811040288946062912011-10-21T09:34:00.001-07:002011-10-21T09:34:57.921-07:00Great, so I’m settled. Now what?<p>That’s the questions running through my head this week. I’ve settled my few belongings in our cozy home. But I don’t know what to do now. I need to find work, that’s for sure. I tell myself that I want to get into the food service industry. I want to wait tables. Why? Who knows? So I put in applications around town, I put on my nicest clothes and submit resumes along with smiles. At the end of week one though, I’ve not heard back from anybody. I’m not sure why this surprises me, why some part of me just expected opportunities to come crashing over me. I should have known that it wouldn’t be that easy.</p> <p> </p> <p>Unfortunately, the wheels in my head begin to churn out the what-ifs. What if I don’t get a job? What if I end up having to do some miserable retail job to make ends meet? What if this whole thing comes crashing down because I’m flat broke in a few weeks? I become mildly panic-stricken at all the possible things that could go wrong. So I take a step back, I focus on the good things that come with unemployment. I exercise like a maniac, hitting the gym just as hard as I hit the rock. I cook frugal meals every day, and take my expenditures down as much as I can to maintain my meager bank account for as long as possible. I read books, and hike with the dog. I run and walk around this town which is so familiar to me. I soak in the fact that I am here again, after over a year of being a nomad.</p> <p> </p> <p>And I wait. </p> TomboCheckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11076931481931258301noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-763271011559432874.post-52075400277767753402011-10-19T15:15:00.001-07:002011-10-19T15:16:37.727-07:00And then… everything changes. (And oh, I found some photo-mojo!)<p>My co-workers throw me a going away party. I don’t remember much of it, so I’m sure we had a great time. Everybody having a headache the next day confirms this fact. Our boss lets us go home early, and so I give quick good-byes to all the folks I’ve come to know and admire over the last five months. </p> <p> </p> <p>I go home and I pack all my stuff into the 4Runner, there isn’t much more than when I was on the road. I’m done half an hour later. Sister and I go out for our last dinner together, and after a nice breakfast and coffee the next morning I’m driving a familiar track to Prescott. As soon as I arrive I dump all my stuff in the living room, and immediately begin re-packing for a four day vacation in the north of the state. When I’m done, before I can even realize that I no longer live in Jerome, we throw everything into Courtney’s car and hit the road. </p> <p> </p> <p>We quickly head to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Powell,_Arizona" target="_blank">Lake Powell</a>, to a camping area called Lone Rock, and setup camp with friends from Prescott and from Massachusetts. We are all headed different directions tomorrow, but tonight we congregate on the sandy shore of the lake:</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/6244518405/sizes/l" target="_blank"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nS8zHKFQVAQ/Tp9LfVhSvDI/AAAAAAAABis/CsIAdy44Ylc/image%25255B4%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="354" height="236" /></a>  </p> <p> </p> <p>The near-full moon provides a nice light by which to admire lone rock:</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/6244516351/sizes/l" target="_blank"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-DnsxCrVJigs/Tp9LgxaNkSI/AAAAAAAABi0/dtVB4yA_yz8/image%25255B9%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="354" height="236" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p>After cooking breakfast and packing it all in, we all get a late start out of the area. Our friends from Prescott are off for a few days of kayaking around the lake, while the friends from Mass decide to join Courtney and I on our next stop – slot canyons. Along the way we stop to check out the ‘Toadstool’ hoodoo formations along the southern section of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Escalante_National_Monument" target="_blank">Escalante</a>:</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/6245049488/sizes/l" target="_blank"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-OqNfFNY_BPc/Tp9LihHleOI/AAAAAAAABi8/lhAlzME9720/image%25255B15%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="354" height="236" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p>And from there it was just a hop, skip and a jump over to the Wire Pass/<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buckskin_Gulch" target="_blank">Buckskin Gulch</a> slot canyons. It was my first time into a slot canyon and I was super excited to try photographing it. We had a blast:</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/6244676289/sizes/l" target="_blank"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-faQzp3YeyeU/Tp9LkuKq9jI/AAAAAAAABjE/I3WuXI384eI/image%25255B20%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="354" height="236" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/6244703281/sizes/l" target="_blank"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4ott18Rf0bM/Tp9LmzUZopI/AAAAAAAABjM/TWgi9EQiENc/image%25255B25%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="236" height="354" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/6244682059/sizes/l" target="_blank"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--yx4YpFUjaQ/Tp9Loos9CII/AAAAAAAABjU/to8nRna_0KI/image%25255B30%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="236" height="354" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p>Once we got to Buckskin we trekked upstream along a muddy track that was thankfully created by people earlier that day. It was slick and a fall into the mud was always close at hand, thankfully nobody fell in.</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/6244717597/sizes/l" target="_blank"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-BWOaAU4aX-g/Tp9Lqywpi3I/AAAAAAAABjc/uvelbvwJnyo/image%25255B35%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="236" height="354" /></a> </p> <p>Once the trail came to a watery end we turned around and headed back to the car, me snapping pictures all the way:</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/6244724807/sizes/l/" target="_blank"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3HYw-hKZT4M/Tp9LramAnRI/AAAAAAAABjk/hf8UFHDlg9I/image%25255B40%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="354" height="236" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p>Once we were out, we parted ways with our Mass friends, as they headed up to Salt Lake City and we headed to a nearby campground for the night where, unfortunately, the restroom vents were blowing our way and made for a bit of a stinky night. </p> <p> </p> <p>The next day, we didn’t know where to go. I wanted to go up into the Escalante monument, but road reports were grim. A big storm had closed one major road, and they didn’t know about the other. In Courtney’s little <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Corolla#Ninth_generation_.28E120.2C_E130.29" target="_blank">Toyota corolla</a> we didn’t want to risk it. So we drove out to nearby <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kanab,_Utah" target="_blank">Kanab, Utah</a>, and grabbed some coffee at the local coffee shop / outdoor outfitter. We asked the great folks there for recommendations, and were pointed in the direction of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kanab_Creek_Wilderness" target="_blank">Kanab Creek Wilderness</a>. We looked up the area in a resource book and decided on the Snake Gulch trail, reported to have lots of petro glyphs and pictograms. Off we went, through the beautiful Kaibab Plateau, and down the cockscomb to the trailhead. The trail was level, and made for a gorgeous afternoon hike:</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/6244793213/sizes/l/" target="_blank"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7hz8pNglC0U/Tp9Ls3hUYjI/AAAAAAAABjs/fvtayNsFypU/image%25255B45%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="354" height="236" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p>And soon we found little spur trails leading to rock walls. On these walls were some pretty awesome things:</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/6244820251/sizes/l" target="_blank"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nqSKOvk6R7g/Tp9Lu8Jsc3I/AAAAAAAABj0/x3ku8vtmYPA/image%25255B50%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="354" height="236" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/6245329582/sizes/l" target="_blank"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kl4WwgwNqkM/Tp9LxpEZMZI/AAAAAAAABj8/NxpMDbX3UDI/image%25255B55%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="354" height="236" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/6245361552/sizes/l/" target="_blank"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-o1_rF8ZamxY/Tp9LzxkH_UI/AAAAAAAABkE/b9J7RTyNs1k/image%25255B60%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="354" height="236" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/6245382858/sizes/l" target="_blank"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-98P6D1u2hA0/Tp9L1-2ztUI/AAAAAAAABkM/sZG9MJNhneQ/image%25255B65%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="354" height="236" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p>We hiked about five miles in before the threat of darkness turned us around and we headed back to the car. By the time we got to the trailhead it was sunset, and since we were all alone, we opted to camp right there. Not a bad spot at all, and best of all – no stinky bathroom!</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/6244867573/sizes/l/" target="_blank"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-XgsAOd_qwDo/Tp9L4D4J9DI/AAAAAAAABkU/zlpaMwZL0PA/image%25255B70%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="354" height="236" /></a> </p> <p>The moon was bright, and I tried shooting a few photos, but it quickly got cold and so we retreated to the sleeping bags.</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/6245395938/sizes/l/" target="_blank"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1__P4M8tMr4/Tp9L42diSQI/AAAAAAAABkc/Ints2Yjlcec/image%25255B75%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="354" height="236" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p>The next morning we decide to call it the end of our trip, and turn southward once more. We stop in the Navajo reservation to snap a few pictures of a graffiti artist’s work:</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/6245406236/sizes/l" target="_blank"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lmahOlnUVjo/Tp9L7R9b5SI/AAAAAAAABkk/HhZQX2fliU8/image%25255B80%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="354" height="236" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p>And Courtney plays model for me:</p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/6244900245/sizes/l/" target="_blank"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-brTYqlnpn1w/Tp9L9jpSG-I/AAAAAAAABks/P3JkhYfabF8/image%25255B85%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="354" height="284" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/6245428468/sizes/l" target="_blank"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3PIDHIxDnZY/Tp9L_3-65KI/AAAAAAAABk4/KqXfo2K1iBc/image%25255B90%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="236" height="354" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p>From there we stopped into Flagstaff to have dinner with another friend, before finally heading home.  My new home, with the gal I love. Time to move into the next chapter of my life.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tombothetominator/sets/72157627771201309/" target="_blank">For all the photos from the trip, check out this link.</a></p> TomboCheckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11076931481931258301noreply@blogger.com2