We're Here

We finally made it to SEMO. Oh my dude what a trip. Flying from California to Missouri on 1.5 hrs of sleep is not advisable. Thankfully our trip went through Salt Lake City and not Denver or we would have been stranded at the airport.

4 am - Cab Ride
As my wife will surely attest: I am a big dork. Our cab showed up on time at 4am and asked where we were going. "The Airport" I answered - forgetting that we had called them to take us to the airport. "I know, I mean on your trip."

Why is it that all cabbies, no matter what city you are in, sound like they are from New York? Is that part of the job? That must be what the license is for, "(Frankie/Johnny/Mikey/Habib) is licensed to slur speech and drive in two lanes at the same time."

4:20 am - FAT = Fresno Air Terminal
Praise God that our tickets took us through Salt Lake City. The line for our check-in consisted of us and the guy waiting behind us. Every other line was jammed because they were all flying through Denver, which was socked-in and eventually closed - stranding lots-o-people in the process.

We waited until 5:30 (and Starbucks) to go through the check-in line. I had the distinct feeling that we were in some kind of surreal movie about the future where your freedoms are controlled by the state and even mock-complaining will get you thrown in jail. Oh wait, that's right now. I'm exaggerating - though it was a little scary - especially when I open my camera bag and it looks like nuclear bomb parts. "Sir, we're going to have to ask you to come with us while we put you in jail for the rest of your life."

6:30 am - plane takes off
Ok, it's been a billion years since I flew and after the security screening I was um, let's say, tense about this flight. Going fast down the runway was fun. "How fast are we going?", Sara asks. "I don't know, maybe 200.", is my guess. If anybody does know how fast it takes to get airborn please let me know so I can be smart for my wife next time. Make sure to convert the speed to "knots per hour" so I can sound extra smart.

Plane ride was a real stomache churner. Sara and I both were ready to hit the barf bags. So glad that we landed safely - and finally. Prayer works.

10: 30 am - Salt Lake City, Utah
Cold. 16 degrees. Very cold. Also, don't try to find your own way at Salt Lake. The signs have nothing to do with the actual locations of the gates. Ask, and quickly, because it's a longer walk than you expect.

Dramamine is the best thing ever. Second plane ride was nice and easy, even when it felt like we were on a roller coaster. My right ear never depressurized though. Do what?

2:00 pm - St Louis, Missouri
Yeah! we made it. Catfish and Johnboat picked us up and we drove another 1.5 hrs. Finally made it. So tired. Must sleep...

7:00 pm - Branding Iron (Pig)
Oh my dude! The food was awesome!!

5:30 am, 21st - Lanier House
apparently our house was burning down back home. Thanks to Howard all is well. Sorry big guy. You had to wake up anyway right?

I'm in your SEMO takin my vacationz

Welcome to SEMO. I know that Sara and I have made fun of this place in the past but, much like the nerdy kid you made fun of in school, you just need to get to know it for yourself.

Today Johnboat and I went to "work" for Catfish - which included jamming on the drums and guitars and checking emails and blogs. Oh, I designed a flyer too! Then we went to Cape Girardeau for eating lunches and looking at stuffs. It was pretty cool. I got to see the Mississippi River for the first time ever. It looks like a giant lake, except it's moving all the time. It makes you feel really small...and glad you haven't fallen into it.
Downtown Cape is really cool. They have stores and cars and streets and other holy things. There is a church on almost every corner - kind of like Starbucks in Fresno. We got some sodas and coffees and drove around and ate the sandwiches Brandi made for us. Mine was full of meat and cheese - my favorite!!

It's amazing that there was no graffitti. Big open walls everywhere. Some even still have their faded painted signs from a long ago era. We saw the building that General Grant stayed in for a little while. I hope he comes back someday, it would be nice to visit with him in his quarters.

Then we drove back and I got a picture of the mini Statue of Liberty...well, her backside anyway...Then we went to Radio Shack and back to the office so Catfish could, um, go pee.

Picture Day With Maxie Baby

Sara and I decided we would take a picture together with our dog Max. Well, really the dog belongs to Jacob Lanier - we inherited the big black slobber fling-er when they moved (deserted us) to Missouri.

Anyway, Jacob misses "Maxie Baby" so we (Sara) thought a picture of the three of us together would be a cute present for his birthday. The cats would have been a nice addition too but that would have been a...ahem, catastrophe. Wow I actually used it in a sentence. The pictures, though, were not going good. Max was never in the right place when the camera timer went off. I think it was a conspiracy on the Drooling-one's part to get more "family" time.

After many failures we were completely soaked and decided to make a quick video clip and hope for the best. I think the clip speaks for itself. Yes, it does appear that I push Sara into the leaves - which I did not. Also, I did not "fake fall" as CNN and Fox News reported. My center of gravity was just slighty over enough in the wrong way to cause a slow descent into the leaf pile.

Happy Birthday Jacob!!

Ok, Bye.

John and Brandi, our two bestest friends in the whole world (and brother and sister), are moving to Jackson Missouri. How sorrowful am I? Well, I cried in front of about 100 people from church last Saturday while attempting to present them with a gift we all chipped in for. In reality I cry at pretty much everything - but still!!

It is a sad to think about them not being around but Sara and I know that God has some awesome things planned for them and the new church body they will now be a part of (Calvary Chapel Semo). We hope to be able to afford to drive out with them if finances are available. If not we are planning on visiting for Christmas.

Please be praying for their journey, protection and encouragement.