Book Report

Not many of you know this but I have a goal to read 24 books this year. That's much better one book or none at all. I took on this challenge because I plan on being a Teacher in the future. It has been pretty hard to keep up with this challenge but so far I have read three books. 2001 A Space Odyssey, Contact and a few days ago I finished The Hobbit. If you have not had a chance to read the Hobbit I think it is time you've picked it up. It was one of the funnest books I have read.



Poor Bilbo can never say no even when his heart isn't in it. A Group of 13 Dwarfs show up at his door one day and tell him he is going to be their burglar on a long and dangerous journey. Guided by a wizard and not very well prepared their journey takes them through forbidden lands with Trolls, Goblins and Elves. When enslaved in Dungeons or threatened into being squashed into jelly, Bilbo always comes out the savior of the dwarfs with a little luck from a ring he comes across.

You are never too young to pick up this adventure. Bilbo was about 50 when he had his ;)

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

Who else is excited???

Who Wants to Go to Space?

Last month I read the book "2001 A Space Odyssey" by Arthur C. Clarke and this month I am reading "Contact" by Carl Sagan. Through the years of my life I have developed a keen interest in the ways of the universe. I bought a cheap telescope when I returned home from my mission just to look up in the sky and see what is up there. I've seen the craters on the Moon, the rings of Saturn, and even the moons of Jupiter and it's famous,"Red Spot." The only nebula I have seen is the Orion Nebula for my telescope is very low power.

In the past few years I have discovered the private space industry is achieving what only three nations have in the world. Putting a man into space. Right now Virgin Galactic owned by Richard Branson is in the process of building a fleet of spaceships designed by scaled composites Burt Ratan. You may not know this but Burt Ratan's "Spaceship One" completed the first sub orbital flight by a privately funded space program back in October of 2004. The first 100 tickets were sold at $200,000 each.

Bigelow Aerospace has launched two trial inflatable "Space Habitats." Thats right, inflatable. He plans to have a fully functional space habitat for humans by 2011 and years following the habitat will be available for commercial use. A one month stay at
the space habitat will cost $15 million. Not a bad price considering a ten day stay at the International Space Station costs 20 to 30 million.

There are many other space endeavors in the private space industry. Alamogordo New Mexico is building a spaceport for the private industry. The Spaceport will be home to company's like Virgin Galactic and other privately funded space programs.

Who hasn't looked up at the stars at night and said,"I want to go there someday."

The following link is where you might someday make your first spaceflight.

http://www.spaceportamerica.com/photo-gallery/

One of a kind MIKA Show!!!

Oh my gosh. Mandi and I went to the coolest concert ever in salt lake city this weekend along with her cousin Margot and my brother Bobby and his girlfriend Jenny. All of Mika's equipment was stuck in Wyoming and his insurance company told him to cancel the show. But he said "F-it" and found a bunch of instruments and rocked out for us. He may have been two hours late but he didn't upset the crowd at all. He even refunded $10 of everyones $25 tickets back. Nice guy. We all sang at the tops of our lungs and he played like a mad man on stage along with his awesome band. I said if he ever comes anywhere close to Utah we would be there. Lucky I got a one of a kind show and I was right up front:). Thanks MIKA.





All of us cold as heck outside!!

Don't shoot me Santa

I know I'm just a little bit late on this one but in case you missed The Killers Christmas song here it is. Don't shoot me Santa Clause.

The Killers

4 years ago I almost didn't go to a concert with my friend Rob. It was almost a big mistake. It was a group I had never heard of called the Killers. I decided to stop being such a loser and left the house. We paid 10 bucks at the door of the Low Fi Cafe. We took the steps down along with about 100 other people or less because thats all that would fit. Mellow Drone and Evening opened that night. And then, I got Rocked by the Killers!!! Ever since that night I've been listening to their music. I can't stop it. I've only been to that one concert and I regret it. My wife Mandi didn't care for their music until I introduced their second album to her. She listened to it non stop at her work. The Radio can introduce us to music but It makes us hate it just as fast. Listen with your own ears.

Tyler and Alene's wedding

This is something I did 2 years ago that I recently found. Not much but I think you will enjoy if you are the couple. Probably one of if not the most important day in someones life.

Look out, I've got a new costume!

Don't say I didn't warn you about next year. I've got a new Halloween costume.
Mandi and I just came back from seeing the best Tim Burton film since Ed Wood. I'm in love with this movie. No, It's not because of the many throats that are slit. It's not even because of the meat grinder. The characters and music are just so well developed. Everyone who acted in this film were incredible. It has a style that no one can match. So go see it if you have a strong stomach. If not. You can just take my word that you are missing a masterpiece.

Merry Christmas From The Roots!

Just thought I would stop by to wish everyone a Merry Christmas from the whole Family!

Mandi and Jeffrey

Mom, Dad and the children Julie, Jana, John Tyler, Russell, Amanda, Jeffrey, Krystal, Robert Bobby, Alana, and William Billy.

I'm not going to attempt to write everyones name. I bring you, three generations of Roots.

A look back at the mission

After seeing the pictures my brothers recent Chichen itza trip I decided to pull out some photos of my own trip to the Mayan city. There was so much to see, it's kind of like going to Disney Land for the first time and not going on all of the rides. I think I will follow up with more post of my mission. I'm sure someone is curious out there. By the way, I've been home for over four years now.