Fly Fishing Ogden River

So Eric, my bro, and I woke up super early this morning and decided to try and fly fish the Ogden River. Having never officially tried to fly fish on my own, yet alone instruct a completely inexperienced person, it was interesting to say the least! I've gone a few times with Chris, but never without him.

I got hooked up with a really fabulous deal on some very nice gear, so after we grabbed coffee, we loaded up and hit the water, just below The Oaks restaurant. The weather was PERFECT and the water was really great. Apparently the dam was open, so the river was much deeper and faster than we were anticipating, but it was still really fun.

We ALMOST caught a little Brown, but it didn't get far out of the water before it ripped off the line, dang it. I did, however, successfully catch a tree and Eric!! LOL - (don't worry, he didn't get too hurt!) So, minus 1 furry little fly (which ripped out in the tree) and part of Eric's hand, we came out of the experience unscathed, a success by any measure!

I really do love fly fishing, I've decided. I just kinda suck at it still. But I have mastered the Surgeon's Knot, so I'm well on my way, watch out!

NIN: Lights in the Sky Concert

Chris and Local Hero (John), a friend from MotoUtah, went to the Nine Inch Nails concert tonight at the E Center! Chris was going for Cliff's, Chris' best friends', birthday- I think Cliff turned 36 this year. I haven't received the report yet since it's only 11:30pm, but I'm sure the concert was awesome. Shelly, Cliff's wife, rented a suite, and planned for a handful of people to be there, how cool is that? There are a bunch of cool You Tube videos of live NIN performances that are impressive, like this one:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFx2TmQfM-o

I had to work late at the model home tonight, which paid off because I think I'll get a sale out of it, we'll see. Hate to miss the party, and it's weird not being with Chris for these kind of events...

Hopefully he makes it back home in one piece and everyone had fun!!!

Happy Birthday Cliff!

National MX Track in Mona, Utah

Like the ROCKSTAR he is, here are pics of Chris today in Mona, Utah at the new National Motocross track. For all the crap he's given others about being MX'ers, looks like he'd be a good MX candidate! Seems like the Motocross'ers get hurt a lot more often then Desert Racers, so I'm not sure I'm super excited for him to ride tracks more often, but you've gotta admit - he looks freakin' hot!

Sand Mountain

Chris spent the afternoon a couple weekends ago at Sand Mountain with RM Chick & Co. He put a new spiffy paddle tire on his bike and said he had a pretty good time. I didn't go because I hate the freakin' sand! From his report, he only had 1 pretty gnarly experience, getting caught in some brush! LOL. Crazy boy!

Hare & Hound Ntl in Wendover

My parents, Josh, and Bryan came down to Wendover for the Hare and Hound National Race in Wendover. My family stayed in town and Chris's friend, Trent, joined the campers in the desert, also experiencing his first-ever desert race!

Chris didn't race this race, as he was helping the Desert Foxes host the race. I raced and placed 2nd in Beginning Women's, again! I took the hole-shot, and maintained 1st place the entire first loop, until the very end. As we came up over the top of a steep road, in 4-5th gear, I crossed over the summit and ran smack into a huge rock, and ate shit, hard. I really did some damage to my right knee, and laid there for a good couple minutes, daring to straighten it all out... I was able to finish the race, but not without doing some great damage to my bike as well.

My super sexy mechanic informs me that I must be planning to invest in some new parts after the next race if I keep crashing, as his masterful skills can only re-salvage the parts so many times before they just poop out.
Hopefully the next race I take 1st - I only have 3 more shots at it before Trish owns the year, undefeated!!!

LOOK AT THIS BEFORE YOU VOTE!

KANZEON ZEN CENTER

Eric & I went to the Kanzeon Zen Center for "church" this morning. I've been wanting to go to a Sunday Service for a long time, but just really felt the need this morning. IT WAS AMAZING!

It's a little house on South Temple downtown that has been converted into a modern zen center. There were probably 50 people there, barefoot and sitting on mats and pillows. The class opened with 30 minutes of quiet meditation, followed by an hour of discussion by Genpo Roshi Abbott.

He discussed with us the concept of the Triangle - the dichotomy between the "Dual Self" and the "Non-Dual Self." The left line of the Triangle is comprised of the The "Dual Self" which is the left-brain side of you that is forced to think in linear terms of past/future, right/wrong, good/bad, better/worse. This side of the brain cannot help by focus entirely on our person, and give little concern for others. It is reason and logic. This is also the side that holds anger, resentment, unhappiness, immaturity.

The other side of the Triangle is made of the The "Non-Dual Self" which is the right-side of your brain. This side is the subjective, emotional, non-judgemental, universal, accepting, healthy, and globally minded side, which focuses on the "Highest & Best" choices, and the present moment. This side is mature, peaceful, conscious, and calm.

At the apex of the Triangle, there is a union of self-mindedness which encompasses the Dual and Non-Dual Self. This point is the fame of mind which enables oneto logically assess and gauge each life situation using the "Dual/left-brain" side, then consciously choose to react in a way that is conducive to Non-Dual living , focusing on the Highest/Best/Healthy/Happy outcome. In this way, we learn to un-attach ourselves from destructive/selfish/single-minded behaviors. Once we learn to only "attach" to healthy/happy/whole things, it is easy to "lose" those things/people/behaviors which bring us pain, but that we feel forced to associate with. For example, regret, loss of life, anger, addiction, blame, resentment, unhealthy people.

The concept to too big to describe in one page. I'd suggest everyone in the world take this class.

Eric & I walked out of there feeling so totally great. So inspired by the flood of good energy, and a community of healthy like-minded, positive people. The course is free, and is taught every Sunday at 1274 East South Temple at 10:00-11:30. We are going to go again next week. If you want to come, let me know.