Don't call it a comeback.

I've been here for years. I first heard that song in second grade playing soccer at lunch recess. A bunch of truant teenagers were blazing past my elementary school, and LL was in. If you don't know what I'm talking about, watch it here.

It has been a while. We haven't had the internet since we moved into our new place. But, after a serious exercise in futility and Dante's ninth circle of Comcast customer service, we've rejoined the 21st century.

Here are some recent pictures:
I was being a good sport, and we were attending the AK^2 halloween party. Rockin' scones.

Mr. Brown sporting a fine 'do.

Chels kept telling me that she wanted a vacation, so I took her on a tour de chicken finger. From left to right, Home (just salted, Salt Lake), Italy, China (ginger), New Mexico (chile lime) with a pit stop at Paula Deen's house for some mac n' cheese. I actually can't stand that woman, but I'd eat her mac n' cheese.

Chels started a little boutique www.feltedcrown.etsy.com

Mr. Brown and I at the hospital (11:30pm w/ a 105 F fever. We left at 6:30am. It was positively miserable.)

Cool tree in our front yard. Happy little dude.

My favorite to date. The kid loves being airborne.

School is generally good. Charlie is awesome.

There's only one problem.

There's only one problem with eating at Fish's house. Nothing else measures up.

We had yet another fantastic meeting of the FCC (if you don't know, you're not invited, so don't ask).

The menu (thanks to Cindy for the pictures)

- Duck confit w/cherry gastrique - incredible

- Shaved apple salad, cider vinagrette + bacon - novel tastes and really good.

- Butternut squash soup - smooth, creamy and spot on.

- My rolls - tasty but hopelessly pancaked (a work in progress)

- Crabcakes w/celery slaw - best crabcake I've ever eaten, perfect consistency, superbly balanced flavors.

- Choripan spiced ribs w/maple roasted yams - Pork? Yes please.
- Cranberry granita - put my strawberry watermelon granita to shame.

- Beef Wellington w/porcini duxelle - It doesn't get any better than a perfectly cooked piece of filet encircled in finely
chopped/reduced mushrooms goodness, wrapped in thinly sliced, pleasantly salted pork products, nestled inside of puff
pastry. Yep. Puff pastry. Not to mention killer sauce. Pair it with duck fat roasted fingerlings. Carbs, check. Perfect beef,
check. Butter, check. Giddy full voice, check^2.

- Round it out with pumpkin pie creme brulee and you're well on your way to a blissfull food induced stupor.

So I guess there are two problems. I don't want to eat anything else, and I have to drive home in a food induced stupor. That's dangerous, but I'll take it 11 times out of 10.

All clear.

I finally received word. Everyone in Siumu is okay. I feel much better.

I lived right down the street.

About a year ago, I was in Samoa doing some humanitarian work. I was literally two blocks from where these pictures were taken, in what I consider to be my village. Now, I can't get a hold of anyone, and knowing the layout of homes and the coastline I'm worried. In my mind, I can walk through the village and I've got a pretty good idea of which families made it and didn't. It's sobering. I know these people. I hope I hear something soon.

O lo'o ou tatalo atu i le Alii mo outou, lo'u nu'u e. Ia uliuli lou tino, ae pupula ou mata e pei o fetu i le lagi, ma tafetoto ou ala.

My wife is rad.

Some days it feels like all I do is study. My wife is awesome about it. She works really hard to make sure that when I do have time to spend with her & C, that things are taken care of (i.e. laundry, food, cleaning, etc.). She's also really supportive, regardless of how I do on a test.

For the last two mondays, I've pulled my lunch out of the fridge at 6:58am (the bus leaves at 7:00am) and found a surprise pack of gum with an encouraging note on it. The dollar she spends and the five seconds it takes to write that note mean a lot to me, especially on the days I don't do as well.

She also let's me go climbing to blow off steam, and to celebrate. I love my wife.

White Coat Ceremony

It's been a crazy week and two days. I had orientation last week and school officially started yesterday. Here are the highlights:

1. I made my first incision (in a cadaver)
2. I've spent a ridiculous amount of money on books/supplies (~$1300)
3. I get a fancy microscope
4. The fire hose analogy is appropriate

Here's a picture of the white coat ceremony. It was really cool.

You've got to love KSL's dilligence

I just read an article entitled "Bikers meet with Ogden City after cops crash their ride", and laughed as reporter Andrew Adams referred to "bikers with a group known as Critical Mass". It was apparent from the picture of a motorcycle in the article that Andrew had no idea what Critical Mass was. I'm sure he had visions of Hell's Angels clashing with police in little old Ogden. Not Quite.

Being the kind soul that I am, I sent Andrew an email (to which he didn't reply) informing him that although he had selected a nice picture, Critical Mass is about bicycles, not Harleys. I'm sure he tucked his tail between his legs as he went and asked the IT guy to change the picture in the article.