Geek Tour of Washington DC

Last weekend Microsoft held its US student technology competition finals in Washington DC. On one of the days we gave the attendees a choice of going to the aerospace museum, spy museum, trolley tour or a Segway scooter tour of the White House and Capital Mall. I opted for the Segway tour, which was definitely the geeky-est event, but definitely the most fun. We had a bit of training at first, but it wasn't all that hard to figure out how to make it go and to steer. Given the amount of time I've spent on skis this winter, I was clearly the most comfortable and confident in my group; the moves are remarkably similar. Top speed was about 11mph, but we could go on streets or sidewalks and covered about 6 miles total in 3 hours. Lots of fun and a great way to get around. Too expensive to buy ($5,800) but a great way to get around DC.

Mount Rushmore in April

On April 12th I paid a visit to the South Dakota School of Mines in Rapid City, South Dakota. Upon my arrival, my host took me out to a quick salad lunch and then drove me 30 minutes to Mount Rushmore. We stayed about an hour looking at the mountain, and walking through the visitor's center. Inside the visitor's center they have some of the original tools used to sculpt the presidents' faces, and the original models. It is pretty impressive, but you can't get much closer than shown in the pictures we took. As we were leaving the park there was a mountain goat munching grass out on the lawn like it was no big deal.

Seth's Senior Prom Pics

Tonight is Seth's Senior Prom. The dance is at the Denver Center for Performing Arts downtown, and then "after prom" (the Colorado equivalent of Grad Night) is at the school until 4am, then breakfast at one of the kids' house served by their parents. One of the guys in our ward has a retired fire truck that he uses to promote his real estate business, and Seth's friend Coleton borrowed it to pick up his date (his dad who is a fireman drove it). It provided some fun picture opportunities. Seth took his girl Alyson (whom we adore). All the guys in the group are Seth's best friends from church.

Random Stuff on my Phone

This is the sign as you leave the secuity checkpoint at Milwaukee International Airport. I didn't happen to notice the sign over the security checkpoint, but I loved the local humor. I'm sure I committed a felony taking this picture.



So the big event for Mom when we spent the weekend in Arizona wasn't being together or me in particular, but this big national meeting of the "Red Hat" ladies. This is a social group of mostly retired women that get together, play dress up, and wear big/red hats. Mom was so thrilled and excited, and couldn't for the life of her figure out why I didn't think it was the neatest thing I've ever heard of. Next door to the convention was this boutique where you could rent/buy dress up outfits for your favorite old movie star, and then buy hats and accessories. Mom thought this lady was just what she wanted to be when she grows up. I'll pass thank-you very much...