World's View of the Untited States

If you've been following my blog, you know that I've been in Australia for the past couple of weeks. While there, it was interesting to watch the news and talk to people about the election of Barrack Obama. I found it interesting that the people in Australia (and I assume the rest of the Western world) see him as the savior of the world. He's going to right every wrong. If that's the case, he has a long, uphill battle. Especially considering the leadership of congress that he has to work with.

I personally think the government is making a mistake with this $800 Billion bailout and I call on my representatives not to endorse it. Why is Obama trying so hard to get Republican buy in? He doesn't need it to get the bill passed. I concede that there may be some part of him that is trying to prolong the honeymoon and build a bipartisan consensus. However, I also believe a dominating reason is to make sure he can distribute blame to Republicans, as well as the Democrats, when the plan doesn't work. I'm hoping Republican reps. will un-CY his A by not voting for it. I don't thing the first big bailout has done much, and another is not going to be any different. We can't fix the mess by doing what got us here in the first place, overspending.

I've been thinking about this after hearing the following quote by Rep. Roscoe Bartlett, R-Md, made to President Obama during a meeting yesterday:

"Mr. President, I probably come at this from a slightly different perspective. I remember when FDR beat Hoover in 1932. So I remember the Great Depression very well. I don't remember any of the many government programs affecting the course of the Depression. Government programs didn't work then, I don't know why we think they would work now. Mr. President, I think our obsessive borrowing has fully mortgaged my kids and my grandkids. Now we're working on mortgaging my two great-grandkids. Mr. President, I think it's more than a little bit selfish to try to solve our economic problems which we created by burdening future generations yet to be born."

This prompted applause.

I agree with Rep. Bartlett.

Afternoon At Manly Beach

Here are a few pics from yesterday's afternoon outing to Manly beach. I caught a ferry ride over to the beach, then spent the afternoon walking around, eating dinner (a kabob), and soaking my feet in the ocean. Here are a few pics from the outing.




Here are a few pics from yesterday's afternoon outing to Manly beach. I caught a ferry ride over to the beach, then spent the afternoon walking around, eating dinner (a kabob), and soaking my feet in the ocean. Here are a few pics from the outing.

Blue Mountain

Yesterday I took a tour of the Blue Mountains with OzTrek. I don't have time to tell any of the stories, but here are a few of the pics from the day. (I even got one in there of me, for Julie.)


The Three Sisters



Overlooking the Jamison Valley from the Eastern Blue Mountains



World's Steepest Train at Scenic World


Video from the train ride to come later. It's taking far to long to upload and I have to go.

Train To Wollongong Then On To Jamberoo

Last night I took the train out of Sydney and headed South about 100 Kilometers. In Wollongong my friend and I met up with a contact he had who drove us out to Jamberoo. Jamberoo is a cool little "village" in the Minnemurra valley. We went to document grave sites for some genealogical work my friend is doing. It was great to get out of Sydney and see something a little more rural.

In the video below, I've put together some rough clips taken from my window in the train on the way out. The scenery was a beautiful overlook of the ocean.

Tomorrow it's off to the blue mountains. Hopefully I'll be able to post some pictures of that when I get back.

Video Clip from Bondi Beach

In my last post I gave a quick description of my rib fest at Bondi Beach. Here is a coarse clip from the beach. (You may want to turn your sound down, the wind made a fair bit of noise.)

Bondi Beach

Tonight we went over to Bondi Beach for some dinner. A coworker has had an image of the ribs from Hurricanes on his computer since we booked the trip. I'm not a connoisseur of ribs, but the were very tastey. After dinner we came back and walked down to Circular Quay to get a picture of the Opera House at night. My pic turned out pretty good considering I didn't have a tripod.

LDS Owned KSL Serves Up Ad for Gay Dating Service

Can you see anything wrong with this picture? Today while checking the news back home, I saw this story on a restaurant in Park City that is only serving locals during the Sundance Film Festival. I thought it was funny because my wife and I tried to eat there, on the recommendation of a local, and found the store closed because the owner was ill. Anyway, along with the article was the ad to the right. I thought it was ironic since KSL is owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (the church to which I belong), which has been so outspoken on Prop 8 and other gay marriage initiatives. It seems they would be a bit more careful about the ads they serve up.

Ferry To Darling Harbor

This afternoon I took one of the ferries over to Darling Harbor and back. It took about an hour for the loop. It was nice to get out and enjoy the sun and the fresh air. I even got to enjoy a little ocean water. (See the first picture)

1st Day In Sydney

I made it to Sydney today after a 24-hour trip. Being on a plan across the Pacific was a drag. But I'm told the best way to get the body clock on schedule is to stay up the first day. So, I went to lunch and walked around the Rocks and figured out the train system for tomorrow's commute. I snapped this picture from the Circular Quay station. I'll be heading back over to the opera house for better pictures later today.

The Land Down Under

Had to post this in light of my upcoming trip to Sydney.

Engagements: Skyler & Hailey

Here are a few images from this weekend's engagement shoot with Skyler and Hailey.

Kylee & Dustin Wedding

Kylee called me 2 days before her wedding day. She had just found out her photographer was not going to be able to make it to the Temple. I was able to step in and we had a great time shooting. Here are a few of my favorites.

Holiday Wedding in St. George

It was a pleasure for me to drive down to St. George with Rachelle and Aaron and their families. The day blessed all with perfect weather. I was married in the same location 12 years ago in February. Being there took me back a little. Here are some images from the day.