One World, One View, One Eye

Office

2009-09-23T07:44:00.001-07:00

I finally got my office. No sharing, no moving in a couple of months. No having to avoid other people's stuff that could hit my blind side etc. I do have four plants, all of them are named. It is way cool. But interesting side story about it. It is back in the middle of the Enviro Group. When it was being decided my boss asked me if that office was ok or did I want to move closer to Marsha, our Permit Coordinator. To move next to her would have been to move back to the bullpen and a cubicle. So lets see...office with a door and a window, or a cubicle and awesome fluorescent lighting. Tough call but the window and the door won out and the side entrance to the building is a short 20 feet from my office door.

A skull pic of Ron's awesome Ram....Nice shootin Tex.

Long Time No See

2009-09-03T08:54:00.001-07:00

It has been a while since I last graced my blog with some sort of post. But I am back to update the world. Lately has been super busy with me. I have had played some golf, scoped out some deer down here for Brian, and changed jobs to name a few. I am now a full time UDOT employee with a full time permanent job. I am now the new Permits Engineer for Region 4 here in UDOT. I am still learning all that my job entails. I am going to miss working in the Enviro group, those were real good times. Attached is one of the few pics of me actually working.

There has been a lot of upheaval in our office lately. Four people have changed offices to accommodate one person. Seems a bit excessive doesn't it, welcome to UDOT Region 4 → Home of the Cut Twice, then Measure Once Approach.

Well enough of bagging on my employer. Happy B-day Landon, Jeff, and Tim. You guys need to spread those out a bit.

More Perilous Times

2009-07-27T06:51:00.000-07:00

As one being chosen to wander through life with half vision, I am treated to all kinds of surprises. Just the other day I forgot about I had a right arm and carefully bounced it off of a pillar in our office. It was wonderful. I almost bounced my head off the door of the car but my hat tipped me off it was coming at us. But alas I will keep plugging away.

Dangers of the One Eye

2009-06-29T09:36:00.000-07:00

One of the major drawbacks of being blind in one eye is the whole spacial relation problem. You see I forget that I have a right side of my body and thus it can be ran into various stationary objects. Sunday night is one such example. To spare you the details I kicked the wall and split my toe open. It hurt I almost cried. But I was tough and after a few laps of Mario Cart I was able to hobble to bed. A special thanks to Kristi for doctoring my ouchy toe.

Tuesday

2009-06-10T07:19:00.000-07:00

Tuesday the Arnell Trio went on a road trip to Manti and Lehi and Springville for a wedding. Yeah a wedding on a Tuesday, I was slightly baffled by all of this. But enough of that, it was a nice trip and a great way to rekindle some friendships with some of my kin folk I have not talked with for a day or two. I will say this for those in the greater Springville area, the Museum of Art is a wonderful little place to see some nice art. I was pleasantly surprised by the artwork featured and did find a few peices to enjoy, however it was during the reception so that made it weird. But it was a fun little place to see some local artist's work.

What's that Again

2009-06-10T07:17:00.000-07:00

This past weekend Kristi and I were arguing and of course I was winning.....here is the proof.
Me: What does a chicken say then?
Kristi: Quack Quack

There ya go, now you know why I am scared to leave her alone with the baby.

Fantasy World

2009-03-31T07:31:00.000-07:00

As I went through my list of fantasy teams I am convinced I am addicted. Short of Hockey, Soccer, and Golf I think I have played every fantasy sport this last season with mixed results. I think I keep in the top three till the playoffs and then I tank. In order to save my brackets I need the Tar Heels to run the table.

Words of the Day

2009-03-25T14:59:00.000-07:00

It has been a good day at work for words of the day...

Today there have been two winners......

Shoe Gypsy and Turd Burglar. I am not sure exactly why but those make me laugh real hard when I hear them.....

And in other news......
Check out this hamburger......I am so hungry
Or maybe this hotdog!!!

I may be back?!?

2009-03-23T07:37:00.000-07:00

I may be back to blog now after a temporary hiatus. Life at work has been super busy (overtime) the last few weeks. We have been trying to get a few projects out using the stimulus money. All I know is we kicked out projects in a time frame which bothers me some. I think a project needs to have a day or two to be discussed and then designed and have the appropriate review period. But that is just me.

Super Bowl Pick

2009-01-29T09:28:00.000-08:00

I am going on record saying that the Arizona Cardinals will win the Super Bowl!!!!

Funny stuff....??

2009-01-22T10:48:00.000-08:00

These may be funny only to me but.......

BEA1 asks me as we walk by a Pepsi display, "Hey Rhettly do you want me to get you some 3D Glasses."
Everyone there, JB, BEA2, and JDP all laugh and find this rather hunorous. BEA1 knows that I cannot use 3D glasses due to a rodeo incident years ago when my eye was sacrificed for a rodeo clown.

On the subsequent trip back to the office JDP see a homely gal on side of road that he and BEA1/2 all know and he is speasking ill of her and BEA1/2 concur with his statements. I finally ask him if he has all this hostility because she said no to his prom date request in high school. The car errupted into loud laughter.

I'm not sure but....

2009-01-07T13:29:00.000-08:00

I think that wife's cousin Sarah has the coolest post I have seen in along time. A mathemtical proof that sums up all the world's problems into one word. Obviously the funniest and truest thing I have come across in my search of the web.

I think I have found one of the coolest websites for vintage Nintendo fun. I like to roam there once in a while when I am feeling nostalgic.

Happy New Year

2009-01-05T14:03:00.000-08:00

As a new year commences and thoughts of self improvement run rampant, I shall produce my list of wishes and wants for the new year.......

Wyoming to actually win some meaningful games in Football and Basketball.
SF 49ers to be competitive.
Utah Jazz to not blow it like they do most years and leave me disappointed.
I would love to be able to beat my wife on most of the Wii Fit games.
Fish...a lot
Hunt....a lot more
Get a a respectable score on the Hula-Hoop (see #4)
Receive my scholarship and rightful place on the WWCC Mustang Soccer team. (I have eligibility left)
Actually walk the bike path near our home with the dog and the baby, down and back.
Make it to 2010 to do this again....

New and Old

2008-12-31T06:56:00.001-08:00

Next year I hope to get my little girl to her first birthday in one piece. I hope to get my jungle known as the basement organized into something that resembles organized. I hope to have more patience with idiot drivers. I hope to back my first game with my bow and arrows. I want to catch some big fish. I want to photo some awesome scenery and show it here and I want to improve my golf game. Oh and I want to lose 20 pounds and get six pack abs.....Here is to 2009 and the year of hoping....

Tanessa

2008-12-16T08:44:00.000-08:00

Tanessa Kathryn (see below for pics) is here and happy and loving life as well as her new buddy Ranger.

My Little Girl

2008-12-16T08:40:00.000-08:00

Yeah Jen for the post but here some pics that I have of various people and my little girl.

Things that make me laugh

2008-10-30T12:47:00.000-07:00

While sitting in fornt of my computer wasting taxpayer dollars I have been trying to find things that will perk me up and keep me awake, here are some of the places I have been:

Funny Chuck Norris website.
Yahoo Odd news. There are some weird things out there.
Trading funny ims with the guys at work.
USA Today Game section.
Reading other blogs, thanks for the hi Rachel...hi to you as well.

If anybody has any more ideas I would appreciate it.

My Cute Wife

2008-10-29T08:41:00.000-07:00

My wife has said some rather colorful phrases to describe how she looks, feels, etc. But I want to go on record saying that she is way cute and sexy. I can not help but just look at her and smile because she is so dang sexy as a preggo girl. However watching her struggle not to tip over and walk etc can be a funny time.

Baby Showers and Men

2008-10-16T14:46:00.000-07:00

This is why men do not go to baby showers!

3 in a month and other obs

2008-10-16T08:49:00.001-07:00

For those of you counting and I doubt there are many but this is my third post this month....new record!!! I recently returned from a fly-by-night trip the SLC for a canceled training ( they canceled it at 8:30, it started at 8:00). Anyways....I decided to pick a few things up on my way home. Christmas and the what not. A few points

*Old Navy is awesome to be in at 9:00 in the morning.
*Jordan Landing is a shopping paradise
*Even better at at 9:00 in the morning
*Cabelas is always good
*Motherhood Maternity employees do not talk to fathers like they do mothers
*Some of the best people watching is in the Victoria's Secret, especially in Happy Valley

I also wanted to post a pic of a guy I know and his nice elk he shot. Okay it is a sweet elk especially since he shot it with a muzzleloader. Way to go Rustin!!

Work was something....

2008-10-13T15:07:00.000-07:00

After finishing a local paving project I remember why I hate/love paving. But it is finished for all intents and purposes. With the asphalt shortage it was a long slow summer spent serving two masters. My construction boss and the new maintenance engineer. But in a year there will be some fancy turn lanes to the new jail in Manti. If you happen to go there and use the turn lanes remember yours truly designed them.

I think Wyoming football is in the toilet. Unfortunately I do not see it climbing out anytime soon. After Joe Glenn is fired this season and I suspect he will, we will get some no name coach in here who will just mire in mediocrity. Then maybe we find some unknown genius who will resurrect the program on his way to somewhere bigger. Man I miss Paul Roach!!!

What the ???!!??

2008-10-02T10:24:00.000-07:00

Lately we have been paving some roads down here in South Central Utah.....Yeah and Wow this Sucks....I am amazed at what drives by all day long.

Amazing number of people sleeping or reading as passengers and reading as drivers....
The Number of people who sit very low in their seats and can barely see over the wheel.....
The number of retirees I see driving........
The number of people who slow to a crawl to see what we are doing
The number of people who take pictures of us paving.....it is not that rare....
The lack of clothing some people travel in......
The amount of high dollar motor homes pulling nice rides.......

Well this is part of what I see everyday and will share more later....

Up to Date...Well Almost

2008-09-02T19:41:00.000-07:00

In the last month or so I have been to a family reunion in Star Valley, emptied our Storage Shed, filled the basement with junk, started to prepare a nursery, and went bow hunting for Bambi. For those of you that know me know that I am somewhat frugal, or cheap, sop this past weekend on the hunt I shot an arrow and it skipping through the forest. Needless to say I have yet to find it and this is causing me some serious concern. So I think Ranger and I are going back up real soon to look for this lost arrow.
On a different note I watched the first Wyo Cowboy football game of the season last Saturday. Hmmmmmm it is hard to speak nice words at this point. I am deeply concerned on all levels of the team and did a lot of yelling at the TV. Hopefully it gets better. The Bounty Hunter Defense I think is trying to hunt a three and out. At least I hope they are actively searching for it. More to come as the season progresses. And yes Kristi is still "Great With Child" and yes she is meaner than usual.....
I must publicly thank my wife of 10 years now. She has been there through it all and without her I would be in college still and who knows what else. I owe her everything.

Little Girls and Puppy Dog Tails

2008-08-04T13:52:00.000-07:00

In honor of my future little girl I will go Pink for a while. I actually like the color pink and will have no major hangups with it in my home. The same cannot be said for Kristi who does some serious "PINK" issues. Right now I would like opinions on what to name the future little demon, and yes little girls can be demons.

Spoiler Alert....

2008-07-23T12:37:00.000-07:00

For those who do read my post I will let you in on a SPOILER!!! Yes Kristi is pregnant and she is due on the 21st of December. If any of you have information on the father please contact me he needs to step up. Docs told me years ago it could never be me.

Prairie Dogs and Willow Trees

2008-06-17T13:07:00.000-07:00

It has been brought to my attention by a respected member of the medical community that eating Kronskis soaked in Jack Daniels will lead to demonic prairie dog sightings. Well to be honest I will not waste my good Jack on Kronskis, that is what cheap beer is for. And the cheap beer leads to a much better prairie dog sighting. And yes I have killed prairie dogs bigger than a certain medical expert's bear. On a side note how hard is it to plant trees if you have the instructions. On a particular state job I am looking after our sub-contractor has failed to plant the trees correctly on two separate occasions. It has made for some humorous interactions between the prime contractor and myself. I guess planting trees is like judging the size of a bear, a lost art. And I will reiterate that I am lashing out at the bear due to jealously problem that I am experiencing. I just need to go and hunt in Alaska, that is all there is to it but since finances will be changing severely in the near future it will take me longer to get there than previously planned.

Delta and El Jefe

2008-06-09T13:47:00.000-07:00

I have been traveling back and forth to Delta a few times these past few days. Our contractor is trying to get a few things done so we can complete the final inspection and they can receive final payment. However their subcontractors are a bit slow and do not feel the need for urgency. So I have made a couple of fruitless trips over there to watch no work being done. It would be nice if I had a Kronski to come home too but El Jefe, my buddy, my freind, decided to stiff me on two packs of those delightful dogs.

2008-05-16T07:23:00.001-07:00

Take the Quiz

New Face, New Place, Not So New After All

2008-05-14T14:45:00.000-07:00

I have rotated out to the construction office for the time being. I have decided that this is going to be a real good test for my new and improved mental approach to work. Construction brings all sorts of changes and challenges. This crew has a very interesting dynamic that is going to test my patience and my ability to get along with others. Anyways, this is going to be an interesting summer. I will have some good pics and stories about the comings and goings. Oh and by the way..I am now CPR and First-Aid Certified again. So although I have the training to save you, I may not have the desire.

Updates

2008-04-28T15:54:00.000-07:00

Well I have taken the Professional Engineers test and I think (I think) I passed. Maybe, just maybe by the skin of my teeth. That is a lot of pressure off my shoulders. I was in three (3) fantasy basketball leagues this year. I took a FIRST and a THIRD and a what the ???? was that team doing. So that was nice. Now I am trying fantasy Baseball and so far not so good. It is a bit more trial and error and who is hot and who isn't so it is time intensive I think. I also went golfing in Mesquite at the Casablanca Golf Club. It was quite nice, a bit too nice for a hillbilly golfer like myself but well worth it. I did not play as well as I would have liked too, it being my first time out this season, but there were signs of a decent golfer there somewhere. Will update with other weird wild things at a a later date.

Jokes.....And they are good!!!!

2008-03-18T07:19:00.000-07:00

These are dedicated to El Jefe........

One ship carrying blue paint collided with another ship carrying red paint. The crews are missing and believed to be marooned.

Two cows, Daisy and Dolly are standing next to each other in a field. Daisy says, "I was artificially inseminated this morning." "I do not believe you," says Dolly. "It's true, insists Daisy, "No Bull."

A toilet was stolen from the police precinct. Police have nothing to go on.

Someone broke into a hole in the nudist colony's fence. Cops are looking into it.

A man drowned in a tub of milk with a banana in his ear. Authorities suspect a cereal killer.

Thanks to Larry G for these gems.

What the.....

2008-03-06T15:58:00.000-08:00

I have endured what may be one of the toughest things of my life. The 2007-2008 Wyoming men's basketball team. Holy Crap!!!! This was agonizing to sit through. Luckily at this point the only thing I have to cheer about is a season sweep of both Utah and CSU. Usually a sweep of CSU brings joy to my life but at this point it is a shallow victory. This team had way too much going for it. I will again say that Heath Shroyer was not my first choice as coach, or even second choice as far as that goes. I will go on record saying that I sent an email to the AD asking him to consider Quinn Snyder of Missouri fame. However, we are stuck with a friend of the AD (FOAD). Evidently if you are a FOAD you can get a job at WYO. Yeah us. Anywho...I am seriously expecting a huge step forward next year. The honeymoon is over and now it is time to get to winning games.

When will the Spinning Stop?

2008-02-22T08:47:00.000-08:00

Right now I need the world to stop spinning. I need to slow down and take time to stop and smell the stink weed. Actually I just need April to pass by. I am currently studying for the PE (Professional Engineer) exam. It is not all that much fun. But at least I have my hound doggy to keep my occupied in the mean time. Ranger is the bestest dog ever. I know because I said so. He is already way to smart fo rme, which isn't all that hard, plus he is going to be a good bird dog, I think. Until later......

Christmas was pretty good....

2008-01-08T07:25:00.000-08:00

I can say that I had a pretty great Christmas overall. Got to see a lot of family, a wedding, a couple of friends, and some great driving conditions. Once again my wife spoiled me this year. But now I have power tools that will require me to build stuff for her and the house. Cool. Mostly it was nice to spend time with my uncle who is battling lung cancer. It would appear that his time is short and it was real good to just sit and spend some time with him. Also I was able to see my Granny and talk to her for a little while as well. So all in all it was a nice weekend. However....if anyone has some sedatives for my wife please send them. She is driving me nuts with her freaking out on slick roads. She has a panic attack if a snowflake touches the roadway. Either she gets drugs or you all get to come and see her here in Richfield until Summer.

I think it is a Kidney Stone!!!!

2008-01-08T07:21:00.000-08:00

The pain lately reminds me of the pain I experienced with a kidney stone. But actually it is the pain of sucking it up in fantasy world. First, my two football teams...the Wyoming league was good again where I got hosed to a 4th place finish, not bad considering I had a very crappy team. My UDOT League team was another story. I finished next to last and was not even close to anything all year. My three basketball teams are much like the Wyoming team this year (not the ladies). I am stinking the place up pretty bad. More to come....

It hurts to SUCK this BAD!

2007-12-04T07:56:00.000-08:00

My fantasy teams are going to cause me to die. My football team in the UDOT league finished next to last and missed to playoffs. We kind if looked like Wyoming down the stretch. MY WYDOT team is trying to hold its own. We made the playoffs but we look sad doing it. So maybe that will help. My 3 (yes three) basketball teams all have one thing in common, injuries. But they will rise like a Phoenix from the ashes. Actually I am in the middle of all packs.

Fanatsy Update

2007-11-01T20:16:00.000-07:00

For those of you who sort of claim to know me ( you all know who you are) you know that I am into sports. Over the past few years I have dabbled in fantasy football. I usually do pretty well. This year I decided to run with the Wyo Boys again and then sign up witgh a new league made up of coworkers down here at UDOT. I am rockin the Wyo Group like always but this new league down here has taken me behind the woodshed. It is an embarrassing situation.

I have started to do fantasy basketball with co-workers down here in two leagues. I have yet to trash them but it is coming......

Things about Sports I Think I Think....

2007-10-31T06:39:00.001-07:00

1. The Colorado Rockies made one of the greatest late season runs of all time. Any team who crashes the post season party in that way deserves everything they received except for the sweep. I am an admitted Red Sox fan but still hated to see the Rockies go out that way.

2. Wyoming Cowboy Football....I love where Joe Glenn is taking the team. However all great programs have some sort of consistency at the QB position. Sween may get there, be he needs to return to the form he had when they played Virginia. He looked good, was efficient, eliminated turnovers, and managed the offense.

3. Right now in my short lifetime Josh Beckett is the best big game pitcher I have ever seen. I do remember Orel Hershiser in the 1988 series and he was great but I have seen Beckett do it in each league. When the lights are brightest, his pitchers are near impossible to hit.

4. Is there any team with bigger PR problems right now than the Yankees. Torre, A-Rod, Mattingly, Girardi. Enough said.

5. WWCC Mustang Soccer....Definite program on the rise. With a burly, slightly aged center back, Nat'l champ contender overnight. Just my thoughts......

I AM BACK

2007-10-31T06:34:00.001-07:00

I apologize for my departure from this planet we call home. I was being used in alien experiments. I was returned when the alien race started to digress and become a bit more hickish and speak with a bit more redneck in their language.

Apologies

2007-08-15T14:54:00.001-07:00

A huge shout out to my sis-in-law Jen for posting me to look like a special boy. I guess that is what I get for commenting to her directly about her blog and lack there of. But I must apologize to all my fans. I am sorry that you have without useless ramblings. I will repent and take charge of the situation. To the left is the absolute best reason for working in transportation.

Whine and Cheese

2007-08-15T14:46:00.000-07:00

It has come to my attention that working for the state of Utah has some drawbacks. First and foremost, it would be the people that seem to think that they deserve a raise every time the opportunity has arisen. Maybe they deserve it and maybe they don't, it is not my place to judge. But I am tired of hearing about it. If your boss did not select you for a raise and you have confronted him about it and he explained his side, you get one day to argue. Then shut up and move on. Just be thankful that not all bosses are like Red Foreman (One of my faves)!!! (I so want to be a lot like him.) Well that is my rant for today.

Fame and Real Life

2007-07-27T10:34:00.000-07:00

It would seem that a percentage of this world seems to forget that first we are humans and then it deviates from there. I seem to find it ludicrous that so many "stars" are getting the world rocked by scandal and other assorted run ins with the law. We live in an age where any idiot has a camera of some kind and access to the web so if you do something stupid it will be on the web before you get home. Gone are the days when a person could go out and do something stupid, then rush and home and deny all and walk away unscathed. Well I guess we are all going to have to grow up and start acting like responsible humans if we are going to stay out of the gossip columns for being stupid and then trying to use star power to overcome and conquer the justice system. Although it would be nice to be stupid and get away from it because I am somewhat famous for whatever reason. At least then I would only get in trouble half of the time.

Intro's

2007-07-25T21:15:00.000-07:00

Now that I am here--->

I have decided to create a blog to ramble on about the comings and goings in my life. Mostly I just plan on ranting and raving about various things going on in the world. Well maybe just closer to home anyways. On a sad note....my dog of 16 years has gone on to sniff and snoop her way around a new neighborhood. It is sad but after 16 years her time was up and she needed to wander off to somewhere else and that is what she has done. Miss and love you always Sinners.

Anywho...

Well the Watkins family in all its forms has been battling some problems lately. Evidiently the sweetest Grandma on the planet now has a Pacemaker and is battling some other heart ailments. But she is doing well. Mom on the other hand stayed with her and ran herslef down and had to receive to bags via an IV before she could leave Star Valley. if that is the cost to leave I think I will be skipping the reunion this year. I had better not as my fave cousin Justin should be in attendance. Always a pleasure to sit and talk with him.

Well...

Well it would seem I have used up my time tonight and hope to see you alll online.

Upcoming World View...

I will be ranting and raving about UDOT, the Niners, the Pokes and all other sports teams I have a deep interest in. As well as possibly moving and other assorted life decisions.