Crazy Uncle Ryan's favorite quotes


"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic."— Arthur C. Clarke

Friday, April 30, 2010

The end of 101.9 The End

OK, so a little over a week ago something unexpected and sad happened. As I was driving to work I tuned in to my favorite radio station 101.9 The End to find that it was gone. In it's place was a new radio station playing "Generation X" music. It was an odd experience. As I listened to "Mr. Wendell" by Arrested Development and some song by C&C Music Factory it was strangely nostalgic. I felt like I was back at a middle school dance walking laps around the auditorium thinking that if I just did one more lap I would get up the guts to ask Trisha Reeves to dance with me (just for the record, I never did). Anyway, I was sad to lose my favorite radio station. No more Chunga and Cort in the morning. No more Stupid News, Chunga Poles or "What's Happenin' Hot Stuff." No more listening to Chunga talk in his goofy German accent or his hilarious character of Flight Attendant Roy. I guess I can add this to the list of reasons why I don't like Utah.

So, the big question is: What am I gonna listen to on my drive to work now? Well, I listen to KSL News Radio on my way home but that's not a viable option for the morning. Why you ask? Well, I will tell you. I can't stand listening to Amanda Dickson. Now, please don't misunderstand; I have no doubt that she is a delightful person. In fact, that is part of the problem. She is just too freakin' perky. Seriously, that woman could be talking about a baby being murdered and still sound like she's about to erupt into a fit of giggles. I mean, her voice is so sugary sweet I'm surprised she doesn't get cavities just from talking. She's kinda the opposite of Richard G. Scott who always sounds like he's about to start crying. Now, on the exceedingly unlikely event that Ms. Dickson should read this post I would like to say: I'm sorry. It's not you; it's me. Or better yet: It's not you, it's just your voice. If you are saddened by reading this I will happily bake you a delicious pound cake and add you as a facebook friend.

Anyway, if anybody has any suggestions of a new radio station for me to listen to in the morning I would be happy to hear it. And for those of you who love Amanda Dickson and find her voice wonderfully delightful, please feel free to scold me and call me names.

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Hot Springs Arkansas Quarter

So, today is a very special day. Yes, it is Tuesday and that means that LOST is on tonight but that is not what I'm talking about. As many of you may know I took up a new hobby a few years ago. Numismatics! That means coin collecting. So, I am very excited that today the United States Mint is releasing the first of the new 2010 America the Beautiful Quarters. This first quarter is honoring Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas. I have to admit, of the four possible designs for the reverse of the coin they picked the one that I liked the least, but it still looks pretty cool. I got the new coin folder for this series of coins back at Christmas. I suspect by next Christmas, if I'm lucky, I might have two or even three coins in there.

Spooky Ghosts in Miami

So, last night Alisa and I watched a very interesting episode of CSI: Miami. In this episode Calleigh helps to figure out who started a fire that resulted in the death of a 15-year-old boy. Now, that in and of itself is not unusual at all considering that's right in line with what she does every episode. The weird thing was, she did this while she was unconscious in the hospital and her "ghost" was wondering around the crime scene and the lab with the ghost of the dead 15-year-old boy. All I can say is, they must really be desperate for ideas for new episodes because this was a little out there. Probably would have worked a little better if they had done this one around Halloween.

Sunday, April 11, 2010

I looked out the window and what did I see?

Popcorn popping on the apricot tree!

Well, it's that time of year again. Our apricot tree is laden with blossoms and the bees are swarming around it. I was out there with Collin a few days ago showing him all the blossoms and trying my best to keep him from ripping them off the tree. We are very much hoping that he will be a big fan of apricots because, as usual, we should have tons of them.

Now, whenever Collin sees the tree he tries to say popcorn because we have started singing that song more often. At least he will grow up understanding it. When I was a wee little lad I had no apricot tree in my yard so I really never understood the association between an apricot tree and popcorn. There was even a time when I was really little that I actually thought that the blossoms on an apricot tree literally exploded off the tree. Of course, as any little boy would, I thought that would be pretty cool to see.