The Worst Blog Ever

RSS Feed Homepage

Articles: 1, 2, 3, 4

PG 8517
2008-05-30 19:02:00
It's official...I am California Professional Geologist 8517. Ross passed his exam and is California Professional Geologist 8518. Carson also passed his exam so we were three for three on our exams. Awesome.Now I get to buy the stamp! Sweet!

Dance Lessons
2008-05-28 18:09:00
If you are going to be attending my wedding, I suggest you watch this video. It is my hope that we all get a little crazy on the dance floor disco dancing. The dance instructor just makes it look so much fun. He gets especially loose on the dance floor at about three and half minutes into the video. Awesome.
More About: Dance , Disco , Lessons

Professional Geologist
2008-05-22 08:25:00
According to the State of California and the National Association of State Boards of Geology (ASBOG), I can now officially be classified as a "Professional Geologist ".Why you ask? How did this happen? Well, I took the 3 test battery (Fundamentals of, Practice of, and California Specific) back in March and got my results back today. I passed just fine, and I'm glad to have passed on my first try. I was dreading taking those nightmare tests over again in November. THANKS BE TO GOD I DON'T HAVE TO! I will never again have to deal with the PG exam! YIPPEEEE!!!!When the above photo was taken about 10 years ago, I never thought I'd ever be an actual geologist 10 years later. I was all set for the Navy in that above photo and had about given up on geology, thank god I quit the Navy and got back into the rock biz. And now I have a license...Hell, I can go anywhere now!

Ple9SE VSE OTher door
2008-05-22 01:03:00
.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; } Just in Case..., originally uploaded by Rick O!. It's windy today, very windy, so the building folks only want people to use one of the front doors. Therefore, they put up this sign on the locked door.And just in case you couldn't read/understand the nice clean printed instructions at the top of the page, the building staff decided to re-write the message for you down below in their perfect penmanship. I assume they did this after they drew that killer arrow. Maybe it was bring your kindergartner to work day at the good ole' Valencia Summit Office Complex, and Daddy Janitor had the kid make the sign. By the way, I do realize that is the letter "a" in the word "PleaSE", but god damn, it looks like a nine!
More About: Door

Las Cruces Mullet
2008-05-17 03:28:00
.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; Las Cruces Mullet , originally uploaded by Rick O!. I saw this mullet in Las Cruces, NM and just had to capture it for posterity. Unfortunatly, once I got the chance to photography it my camera's battery ran out of juice. Thankfully I had my handy-dandy camera phone!
More About: Awesome

She Did It!
2008-05-13 17:55:00
.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; } Two Masters Together Forever! ...Ahhhh..., originally uploaded by Rick O!. I spent the weekend in Las Cruces, New Mexico with Angela. I went to celebrate with her and to watch her graduate from NMSU. She graduated on Saturday May 10th with her Master of Art in Speech Language Pathology. It was a long hard two years for her in Grad School, but she got through it with out a problem. I'm very proud of my future wife. She did such a good job.Congratulations Angela! I Love You!!!!

0508080655.jpg
2008-05-08 16:00:00
.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; } 0508080655.jpg, originally uploaded by Rick O!. Having a morning coffee at Ontario Airport here in the wonderful Inland Empire. Thankfully, i am on my way to see Angela and to watch her graduate from grad school at NMSU!

Otra Vez! Gracias LAist!
2008-05-06 06:43:00
.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; } Getty Rings, originally uploaded by Rick O!. I once again got some LAist love today. They featured one of my photos on today's Extra, Extra post. This time they used a photo I took this past Sunday at the Getty Museum. Thanks again to LAist for all the love and attention. I love that blog!
More About: Gracias

Yep...Fuck 'Em More Than Ever Now...
2008-05-01 00:17:00
Layoffs today. I'm not going into details right now or ever because I'm a little too bitter about it. I still have my job, but two very good friends of mine do not. They were 2 out 8 to loose their jobs today. I don't understand the reasons why, and I'll never get an explanation. But if these people can be let go, anyone can. I have complete faith that I will be gone in the next round. So Fuck You Dutch Invader. You've taken a family and turned it into a corporate hell hole more interested in the bottom line and quarterly profits than peoples lives.

Even More Love from LAist!
2008-04-26 18:28:00
Rising Poppy, originally uploaded by Rick O!. Not going to say much, but I was excited to see my "Rising Poppy" photo featured on LAist for their Friday April 25, 2008 news roundup post "Extra, Extra" Thanks LAist for the plug!
More About: Love

A Little Wedding Music Please.
2008-04-21 21:13:00
I hired Michael Chapdelaine to play before and during my upcoming wedding ceremony and I am very excited. Michael is a well known and award winning classical guitarist and has performed around the world. He lives in Albuquerque, and is a professor within the Department of Music at UNM. The above video shows him playing the classic Granada by Spanish composer Isaac Albéniz. Watch and Enjoy!I was lucky enough to go see him perform this weekend at Boulevard Music in Culver City. Watching him play got me even more excited for the wedding, and gave me some ideas about music to be played. If he's available, I might even have him set up and play during the cocktail hour and during dinner. That might be much nicer than some piped in music over some speakers. I'll need to talk to Angela and Michael about that one. We'll see.
More About: Wedding , Wedding Music

Favorite Photo
2008-04-16 00:17:00
.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; } Run Away, originally uploaded by Rick O!. This is probably my favorite photo from this past weekend in the desert. It depicts the desert from this Pinacate Beetle's point of view. Although capturing Carson's legs in the background was purely accidental, I think it really adds some depth and perspective to the shot. This little stinkbug may appear to be in danger of a stomping, but it never had any doubt regarding its safety.
More About: Photo , Favorite

Went to the Desert
2008-04-15 06:51:00
.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; } My Name in Lights!, originally uploaded by Rick O!. Went to the desert. Played in the sand. Wrote my name with a red LED light. AWESOME.
More About: Desert

Thank God They Weren't Serious
2008-04-14 17:50:00
I was a little afraid that the McCain Girls were the real deal. But, thankfully, they aren't the real deal. All made up by 23/6 and outed by the New York Times. Granted, I didn't spend anytime looking into this. I'm just regurgitating the news as it was posted over at FishbowlLA.

Flickr Finally Adds Video!
2008-04-09 17:16:00
Tripping OutOriginally uploaded by Rick O!Yep, they finally did it, and thankfully it doesn't seem to be anything like YouTube ! Thank GOD! Video s are limited to 90 seconds and should be your own videos (obviously). I like the idea Flickr has about video...essentially, think of the videos as "Long Pictures". This is a great way to think about it. I know I tend to shoot one or two small videos when I'm taking photos, and I think it will enhance the picture viewing experience for everyone. Thank you Flickr!
More About: Finally

0329081643.jpg
2008-04-05 16:38:00
.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; } 0329081643.jpg, originally uploaded by Rick O!. Closed due to "Fire". What do they mean "Fire"?

KOMC - Live at The Mint
2008-04-05 05:03:00
In case you haven't seen them yet, the above clip (pulled from their MySpace page) is from the most recent show of the Knights of Monte Carlo. Do you know who the Knights of Monte Carlo are? No? Well, watch the god damn clip. Once again, they are the greatest god damn yacht rock band in Los Angeles at this very moment. If you're not on the KOMC band wagon yet, then you need to get on it soon. Before you know it, The Knights will be bigger than any other yacht rock band around and you won't be able to afford the cost of a ticket. Even the the seats at the back of the Greek will be too pricey for the average,non-yacht owning, schmoe. KOMC is that good. But, if you missed them at The Mint , don't worry, they have plenty of upcoming shows across the southland.
More About: Live

Carson's Secret Video
2008-04-04 00:59:00
Carson tried to be sneaky today and shoot a video of me in my office after lunch. Luckily, I am constantly aware of Carson's sneakiness and was able to put an end to his undercover video shoot. I for one think the hand reaching in adds a nice dramatic touch at the end of the video.
More About: Video , Office , Secret

Jump Mr. Trout, JUMP!
2008-04-03 23:12:00
Went to lunch in Fillmore today and stopped by the Fillmore Fish Hatchery on the way back. Enjoy this video of farm fresh trout trying to "swim" upstream and jump this artificial step within one of the long pools.
More About: Jump

Mass Grading
2008-04-02 22:34:00
.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; } Mass Grading, originally uploaded by Rick O!. As far as I can tell, this is currently the largest grading project going on right now in the Valencia area. This is located just up the road from my office, I'm not sure if this is Castaic or Valencia...probably Castaic. Oh yeah...sorry for the crappy camera phone photo.
More About: Southern California , Los Angeles County

Google Maps Rocks!
2008-03-28 03:17:00
View Larger MapGoogle Maps updated their Street View application today! Google now has street level coverage for damn near all of Los Angeles and most of Orange County. They even drove down my street! You can see my apartment and empty parking space in front of my apartment. Glad to know my parking space is not being poached during the day!View Larger MapGoogle even made it down my parent's street in Villa Park and caught a flier distributor doing his thing at my parents house. Now you can cruise around my old suburban stomping grounds of Villa Park and Orange and see my parent's house in all its glory.View Larger MapAs an added bonus Google has also added damn near full coverage of Albuquerque and Santa Fe. The coverage actually goes south of Belen. This is all very impressive and makes me quite happy! Now I am able to cruise around Albuquerque whenever I feel a need to visit that wonderful city!
More About: Google Maps , Rocks

WTF? Thank God I'm Voting Obama!
2008-03-25 04:50:00
Holy shit, Carson turned me onto this little beauty of a video. I can't believe these three ladies spent the time and energy to work on this video. God bless them for being so dedicated to McCain , but in my opinion they can't be helping him out with this nightmare. Its was so painful but I had to watch it twice. I was spell bound by the lyrics.I think I'm going to need a stronger umbrella once the McCain storm comes and some ear plugs if I'm going to keep watching this amazingly off tune tribute to McCain.
More About: Obama , Voting

McMansons. I'm Lovin' 'Em!
2008-03-19 23:14:00
Model Home Tour in Valencia, CA. This is a collection of photos from the 4 (yes, FOUR) model homes available at the River Village community in Valencia, CA. All homes are built and sold by Lennar and are available starting at $635,000! What a deal. Don't for get the $190/month HOA fees and the $3700/year Community Facilities District Fees. All these fees get you use of a community pool, access to a 4-mile river trail, access to a 29-acre park, and an access code to your new gated community.

The Final Toast
2008-03-11 05:53:00
.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; } The Final Toast , originally uploaded by Rick O!. Yep...it's all over, and no, this is not a toast to the victims of the 1933 Long Beach earthquake.This is a toast to the last of the beers consumed within the confines of a WLA office. These were no ordinary beers, these were beers bought for us by the company, beers we had held onto for a special occasion once the corporate policies came into effect.But this isn't about a beer, this is a toast to something more important, this is a toast to the memory of a great corporate philosophy which has gone the way of the dinosaurs. Today, WLA Valencia distributed the final five beers to those chosen few standing close enough to me as I gave them out. And as those beers disappeared into our bellies, we all lost a little bit of ourselves. Well, at least I did. I n...

Happy Long Beach Earthquake Day!
2008-03-10 08:20:00
Today, March 10th 2008, marks the anniversary of the magnitude 6.4 (Mw) earthquake which struck at 5:54 PM 75 years ago today. The quake occurred along the Newport-Inglewood fault zone and was centered just south of Long Beach in Huntington Beach.SCEC and the Los Angeles Times both have nice write ups on the earthquake. Therefore, I won't repeat that information here. If you'd like to read more I suggest following the links to SCEC and/or the LA Times.I got the above photo from the SCEC website, which in turn got it from: "Earthquake '33: A Photographic History," copyright 1981, The Historical Society of Long Beach, and may not be taken from this site and re-used elsewhere, excepting fair use and proper citation. For more information, contact The Historical Society of Long Beach, P.O. Box 1869, Long Beach, CA 90801.
More About: Happy

The Knights of Monte Carlo
2008-03-01 22:01:00
.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; } The Knights of Monte Carlo , originally uploaded by Rick O!. Last night I headed out to Pasadena to enjoy a nice evening with the Knights of Monte Carlo. We were not disappointed...what a show! The crowd was treated to a number of soft rock's greatest hits. In my opinon the KOMC rendition of Rikki Don't Lose That Number was incredible. The musical stylings of Rico Morgan on the keys are unparalled in this modern world and the entertaining antics of band leader Doc Spiders hand the dancing ladies in the crowd pleading for more at the end of the night.I recomend everyone attempt to see the KOMC at their next show near you.

Down by the River with the Future Wife
2008-02-26 06:47:00
.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; } Down by the River , originally uploaded by Rick O!. On Sunday, Angela and I had some time to kill after closing down the house and having to be at the airport to catch my 6 pm flight. Therefore, we decided to head down to the Rio Grande and check out Tingley Beach and take a walk through the Bosque to the mighty Rio itself. This photo was taken during this very excursion. Too bad it is still winter and the sky was so overcast, because the Bosque is an amazingly beautiful riparian environment once the trees leaf out and everything is green (and it is even more beautiful in the fall once the cottonwoods start to change colors). Combine that with the amazingly blue New Mexico sky and you truly have a delightful place to run, walk, bike, canoe, or take your dog. All of this runs through the middle of Albuquerque, ...
More About: Wife , Future , The Future

No Turning Back!
2008-02-22 17:33:00
.flickr-photo { border: solid 2px #000000; }.flickr-yourcomment { }.flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; }.flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; } No Turning Back !, originally uploaded by Rick O!. OMG!!! Filling out our marriage license application in Albuquerque, NM!

New Name...
2008-02-19 18:05:00
...Same crappy writing. This is still the Worst Blog Ever, but I decided I needed a catchier name for the damn thing. So playing off the Seth Dee quote in the header, I decided to christen this here blog....Tabasco and Toothpicks. Rather fitting I think since it really does make you want to stick Tabasco laced toothpicks up your urethra. Nothing else has changed, so thanks loyal readers.

KOMC - Rikki Don't Lose That Number
2008-02-19 07:43:00
"RIKKI DON'T LOSE THAT NUMBER"Add to My Profile | More VideosThe Knights of Monte Carlo are an amazing up and coming band based in Southern California. I have not actually seen them yet, but I am looking forward to their next show at The Mint on March 25th. I will even stay up late on a Tuesday to be at this show.Check out one of their newest videos right here on this blog... This video is also available on their My Space profile. I must say the vocals on this most famous of all the Steely Dan standards are magnificent. Who is than man among men with those dark sunglasses and that heavily exposed chest hair. I think I will seek out his autograph at the next KOMC show.
More About: Number