Poison Ivy

Not her
When I was in the 6th Grade, I had the great pleasure of learning first-hand what it is like to have poison ivy, and the itching and scratching and swelling, and pussing that goes with it...on my face.

We still don't know how I got it all over my face, however, it was there...and it wasn't pleasant. My face was also swollen and misshapen. Not that it was ever that shapen to begin with.

And yes...there is a picture out there somewhere, but darn it all, can't find it :)

I recollect this now because a few days ago...Poison Ivy and I once again came together. I am pretty sure I know where and when it happened...however, as you will learn if you ever cross paths with this itchy vixen...the rash and itching will sometimes take up to 48 hours before showing up. At that point, you may have inadvertently spread it to other parts of your body.

Fortunately, this round of rash-bashing has kept to a pretty minimal area on my right leg. I have been able to contain it by keeping it wrapped and dry, changing the dressing about every 12 hours.

So I share with you today some words of advice if you ever come across Poison Ivy. First things first...if you know you have touched it, wash the area thoroughly. It is actually the oil from the plant that causes the rash and itching. This oil can remain potent up to a year after being brushed off of the plant. It is also located all over the plant, on leaves, stems, stalk and root.

If you scratch before washing, the oil can get under your nails and then spread to wherever else you may touch with your fingers.

Don't pick your nose.

That said...once the rash appears, and there really isn't much you can do to prevent it if you haven't washed thoroughly...is to just keep it clean. It will itch. It will blister. The blisters WILL pop. The area will be covered in yellow puss. Just keep cleaning it.

Doctors can give you medication to help...but most of it is not as affective as you would hope.

Best solution of all though...just don't mess with the stuff. It looks like this:

Remember, "Leaves of 3...let it be!"

Taco Crawl

Most of you know that I LOVE food. I am a huge fan of trying new things, and am always looking for great places with good food. Well, while I was down in Trinidad, I came across a new podcast that helps feed my love of cuisine. It's called Vendr.TV. Basically the host goes around to different street vendors around the country and tries the different wares they have to offer. In one episode, he and a friend were in downtown L.A. with the sole purpose of trying several taco stands and finding which ones were best.

Taking this as inspiration, my buddy Scott and I decided that we should have our own Taco Crawl. So yesterday I drove up to Salt Lake, and from 1:00 until 6:00 PM we ate tacos.

Scott had researched and mapped out any and all places that served tacos that he could find in the general area. There are a LOT of places you can get tacos.

We ended up hitting eight (8) different tacos stands and establishments over those 5 hours. It was absolutely fantastic.

While we were there, we took notes of the experience. So now I can happily share with you our impressions, along with pictures and information about each of the stands. Overall, I have to state that the general consensus was that those places that can't afford the nicer amenities and frills, had to rely on putting their all into their food. They made their food with love and care...they focused on flavor. The quality and taste were far superior in these "run-down" locations, as opposed to the nicer, "cleaner" establishments. All of the addresses are in Salt Lake or the Salt Lake area. They are listed in the order that we visited them. We ranked the tacos on a scale of 1 to 5 Shells, and have recommendations if you ever have a hankering for a taco. Oh and if you don't want to hassle with actually reading through all of these...my vote for the best location is # 5 on this list - Don Martin Street Cart. The address is below.

Without further adieu:

The Taco Crawl 2010

1 - Sergio's - 900 West 200 South - (the building looks like a warehouse, and the door is about halfway down the north side)
Tacos cost $1 each and we both ordered 2.
Zachary - Ordered 1 Al Pastor (Spicy Pork) which was very good. It had really good flavor and reminded me a lot of the many tacos I used to eat in Southern California. I also got a Carnitas (Grilled Pork), which tasted pretty good, but was sort of dry.
Scott ordered an Asada (Beef) which he thought was pretty decent, and a Chorizo (Mexican Sausage), that he raved about for quite awhile. He seemed to have liked it.
The condiment selection was slightly limited, however, we did find that the Red Sauce had much better flavor than the Green Sauce.
Rankings - Al Pastor - 5 Shells, Carnitas - 3 Shells, Asada - 4 Shells, Chorizo - 5 Shells

2 - Red Iguana 2 - 866 West 200 South
This establishment is more of a sit-down type restaurant with full entrees and free chips and salsa (which was very spicy, but great flavor). So the meals were a little more expensive.
Zachary - Ordered Traditional Tacos (2) - $8 - These were pretty decent tacos. With a choice between chicken or beef, I ordered both. Honestly, they were pretty commonplace as far as tacos go. They were good...but common. 3 - Shells
Scott - Ordered the Tacos A La Iguana (3) - $10 - These were very good tacos. They were a bit oily, but the flavor was fantastic, very strong. This also had the added bonus of melted cheese at the bottom of the shells, that was deliciously gooey. 5 - Shells

3 - Don Rafa Street Cart - 800 South State Street, west side of Sears Parking Lot
This was our first "official" taco stand, as it was in fact, mobile. The people working the cart were very friendly and eager to help you without being overly pushy. They had a wonderful selection of condiments, with several types of salsa (which they happily pointed out which ones were hot and which ones were more mild), marinated carrots (of which I am a huge fan and Scott had never had before...but has been converted), and lots of lime wedges, (which are important for juice and flavor). We ordered just two tacos and shared them because our next stop was literally just around the corner. Tacos were 2 for $1.50.
Carnitas - This had decent flavor, but was very dry. 2 Shells
Barbacoa - (BBQ Pork) - This taco was delicious. It was tangy and flavorful with just the right amount of spice. The meat was very tender and moist. 4 - Stars

4 - El Toro Street Cart - 800 South State Street, south side of Sears Parking Lot
This was another "official" taco stand that was also ran by some very friendly people. The condiment bar was not as plentiful as the last cart we had attended, it's greatest grievance was that it was lacking any lime wedges. However, the pico de gallo was fresh and crisp. Again we just ordered two tacos. Tacos were 2 for $1.50
Carnitas - The carnitas were starting to disappoint. This batch was pretty grisly...but it had a good salty, savory flavor. Still though, only 2 Shells.
Al Pastor - You can't go wrong with this one. It was very spicy and delicious. Good strong flavor. 4 Shells.

5 - Don Martin Street Cart - 1100 East 2100 South, Sugarhouse - Across the street from library
As previously mentioned, this cart has my vote for best taco stand found in the Taco Crawl of 2010. The lady that was running the cart was very friendly and happy to talk about the different types of meats and tacos that were available. The condiment bar was fantastic and held, probably the best pico de gallo that we found that day. It was very fresh, crisp, and besides the traditional tomatoes and onions, this one also had diced green peppers in it. Very good addition.
Zachary - Carnitas - This one had really good flavor, but was a bit dry. Still, I gave it 3 Shells.
Scott - Asada - This one also demonstrated good flavor but was a bit on the dry side. 4 Shells.
We both ordered the Al Pastor...and this is where the cart really separated itself from the crowds. This was one of the best Al Pastor tacos that I have ever had in my life. The flavor was amazing. It was quite spicy, without overwhelming the taste buds. The meat was moist and tender and just demonstrated what Al Pastor is supposed to taste like. This one easily earned 5 Shells. (Though I argued to extend our rankings to now include 6 Shells...Scott kept a level head and pointed out that we needed to have boundaries)

6 - Lone Star Taqueria - 2256 Ft. Union Blvd.
I hadn't been to this establishment in years...but always remembered it being very good. This was another "sit down" type restaurant, but as with the rest of the locations to follow, had the option available to order single tacos, and not just entire meals. I highly recommend sitting outside if the weather permits.
Both Scott and I ordered the Carne Adovada Tacos at $2.60 each. This was a larger taco that had a strong spicy flavor, with just the right amount of charcoal hinting to give it that grilled flare. It was a bit dry though, thus dropping it to a 3 Shell rank.

7 - El Taconazo - 7900 South State Street
When we sat down and the waitress came over with some chips and salsa, I think she was a bit disappointed when we only ordered a total of three tacos (Scott had 2 and I had 1). I wanted to explain to her that we had already been eating tacos for the last four hours, and that there really wasn't much room left in the ol' gullet. But I didn't...we just ordered. I do need to point out that the salsa that they brought to the table was one of the better salsas of the day. It was pretty spicy...but had a wonderfully strong flavor. Tacos were $1.50 each.
Zachary - Chorizo - This was a very good taco. The flavor was strong and the meat was pretty tender. However, after the initial bite...it seemed to lose steam in the flavor category and trended slightly downhill. 4 Shells.
Scott - Asada Bravado - This was described as tasting LIKE jerky...without being jerky. This also had a good flavor and warranted a 5 Shell ranking.

8 - Tenochtitlan - 1825 West 3500 South - Way out past Redwood Road
I wish we had hit this place first. The taco I got here was probably one of the best tasting tacos of the day, however, by this point I was filling up fast. In fact, I was only able to finish half of my taco here, (though in my defense, these were some of the largest tacos we had received that day). But I loved this place because it was located in the back of a market store, which was completely inundated in the Mexican culture. It is a very friendly place with all sorts of wonderful foods to try. It does help if you speak Spanish going in. Fortunately, during my time in California, I picked up just enough of the language to order food and get myself in trouble. But not out of it. But I digress...tacos are in the back of the store and they are $1.75 each.
Both Scott and I ordered the Chicharon tacos, which is a type of fried pork. As you can imagine, it was very fatty, fried, and fantastic. The meat was exceptionally tender and had been marinated very well. The overall flavor was of course porky-goodness with an overtone of bacon. And since when has bacon been a bad thing? This really was a good taco, well deserving of a 5 Shell ranking.

So there you have it! Taco Crawl 2010. The final tally was Zachary - 10.5 tacos and Scott - 13 tacos. I know that I drank at least 4 sodas and several waters throughout the event, and I am sure Scott had at least that many, if not more.

I highly recommend you get out and try new foods and new places. If you want someone to come with you...let me know! In the meantime, Scott and I have already begun plans for a Sushi Crawl and Taco Crawl 2.0 - the rest of the list.

Full Moon Rising

A few days ago, I walked down from the drill floor to our "Sky Box" shack which houses our computers and equipment. I paused on the walkway and looked east. Cracking through the night's storm clouds, the sun was chasing its way through the Caribbean dispersion. As its light paved its way across that deep, Ocean blue water, to the base of our rig, I questioned how it was that I am so blessed to witness some of the most beautiful sights possible.

Last night I found myself standing over 200 feet above the water. A warm rain was crashing down around and over me. The night air was humid and hot. For the last hour, I had been outside against the elements, working feverishly to complete each task as its turn came up. Men all around were busy scattering themselves to and fro in order to bring any sense of semblance to the chaos that is oil drilling.

As I stood there, sweat running down my face, muscles tired and body screaming for rest, a calm understanding settled over me as I realized that this moment...was what I got paid for.

Tonight I found myself standing on that same spot. There was no rain. There were only a few clouds. There was the ocean. But most of all, unmistakable against everything surrounding it, there was the moon, at its fullest state.

One bright orb against the pitch black night. Shadows of water and waves tickling the reflection from above. The moon demanded center stage this night...and it found it.

This truly is a beautiful world that we have been given.

A friend of mine, Ashli, has recently taken it upon herself to start blogging. I highly recommend that you check her blog out by clicking here. Her excitement and passion for it has re-ignited my love for writing about my life. I don't know how many people read this anymore...but I hope to share with you more and more often.

Before "Nott Block"

Many of my voracious readers are already familiar with this link:

Nott Block Videos

That YouTube channel is a direct line to Funniness. My genius cousins put together these short videos that are hilarious. I might recommend this one to start with:


(Did you see me? Did you see me?)

Anyway, thanks to my youngest brother, I found out that entertaining videos in our family date back even further.

Before Nott Block, there was Gabe & Elliot:



and



You say "Tornado", I say, "Tornato".

Interruptions

Last Friday I found myself sitting at the office gaining valuable insight into the intricacies of software certifications and trainings, when I received a text message from my buddy Jon.

Jon had recently (as in 12 hours earlier) purchased a season golf pass at the same course that I have one.

In his text message, he stated, "This golf pass is going to interrupt my productivity"

I responded, in regards to my own situation

"All this productivity is interrupting my golf pass."

Hungry?

So I found myself hungry today...as I do most days...and being the adventurous type when it comes to food, I found myself the target of two different marketing ploys by fast food giants of the industry.

For lunch, Rebekah and I took a trip down nostalgia avenue, and enjoyed the toss-back environment of skate-hops and drive ins with Sonic Drive In.

Apparently it is America's Drive In
At the hedgehog namesake restaurant, they were touting their new Ched 'R' Peppers SuperSonic Cheese Burger. This is a regular cheeseburger that has been spiced up with a Chipotle Mayo and had JALAPENO POPPERS added to the sandwich. How genius is that??

Of course I ordered it.

Then...later that day, I found myself hungry, yet again, (it happens 3 to 4 times a day...usually always after Noon). So I decided to head over to the Colonel's place
and try their new Double Down.

This is essentially a breaded and fried hunk of chicken, with a layer of melted cheddar cheese, a layer of bacon (because everything is better with bacon), and then another breaded/fried Chunk O' Chicken. No bread...no nasty vegetables to get in the way...just pure, unadulterated artery clogging bliss!

I ordered two...and a large side of mashed potatoes and gravy.

Life is good!

Guess Who Has A Girlfriend

I know I deserve a severe rebuking for my lackadaisical lethargy in blogging as of late...but I have a really good excuse. I have a girlfriend. No really...she is a living, breathing human being who is pretty darn fantastic.


And yes...she does know about it.

Back in February, I invited this girl out to lunch. We had met through an online dating site and, up to this point, had exchanged several e-mails getting to know a little bit about each other. I learned a long time ago that when meeting someone online, it is absolutely critical that you meet face-to-face as quickly as is comfortably possible if you want any sort of success in the relationship. If you prolong the meeting, both parties start to fill in mental gaps that may be in their image of the other person, and those "fillings" aren't always accurate, setting stage for a disappointment when reality brings them finally together.

That wasn't the case this time though. When she walked out of the building she worked in, and I saw her for the first time, my first thought was, "Wow...she is even better looking in person than her picture shows her to be." And her picture showed a very good looking girl.

Her name is Rebekah...with a K. She has two little girls, and they live in Lehi. She does accounting for a local software development firm, and she really like Oreo cookies.

I want you to imagine the nicest person you have ever met. That person that every time you see them, they sincerely want to know how you are doing...what you have been up to...and if there is anything that they can do for you. And you can honestly tell that this person is completely and unabashedly genuine in wanting to know.

Now take that and add a cup of sugar, and you have Rebekah.

Ok, I have waxed a bit cheesy here...but she really is an amazing girl, and things are going very well.

Though, there is one slight downside to all of this: I have been working on a book for the last several years, basically chronicling the exploits of being a "Menace to Society" as a single, jet-setting young man of marriageable age, who is sincerely struggling to erase his bane on the community well-being. However, being in a healthy relationship, all the passion, and vehement fury of bitterness that was fueling my writing, seems to have dissipated like a stain of breath on the window of life.

So my writing has plummeted....but she is a pretty good kisser, so it is worth it.

Other aspects of my life seem to be teeming in utter melancholy.
I beat Super Mario Bros. Wii, and have collected all but 3 of the Star Coins on all 9 levels.



My golf game is improving slightly.



I found a new author by the name of Vince Flynn, whose work I am thoroughly enjoying.



And most of all, I am enjoying the fact that at pretty much any given moment, I can be sitting at an In-N-Out Burger within 10 minutes or less.



Life is good.

What I've Done

Besides being the title to a fantastic Linkin Park Song:
"What I've Done" for the past month has been crazy nuts!

So I got home from England near the very end of January. Can I tell you how great it felt to be back on American soil, and not have the constant threat of near Arctic weather nor burly roughnecks looming overhead?

So the first thing that I did after taking a day or two to relax and unwind, was head down to California to visit a friend I care deeply about. She has recently had surgery, and I wanted to check on her and see how she was recovering.
I don't think she knows how much I care about her and want to do whatever I can for her...but I've never been very good at expressing things like that. Let's just say that she is one of my favorite people in the world, and I pray for her constantly.

(She understands this picture)
I flew back from Cali just in time for our annual Lifferth Family German Dinner! I love this gathering each year as we celebrate our heritage and the great men and women who went before us, and gave to us the blessings of the Gospel and freedoms that we enjoy. As always...it was a great time.

The day after the German dinner, a group of friends and I headed up north to Lava Hot Springs Idaho.

Who knew barely festering, active volcanos running shallow under the very ground we stood on, could be so fun?? If you've never been...make plans now! You never know when it is going to erupt and ruin all the fun.
Not having enough traveling done yet, as soon as I got back from Idaho, I started packing for the cousin trip to COZUMEL MEXICO!
I think this picture sums it up pretty well:

At the end of the first day, someone said we should just take that day and hit the "Repeat" button for the rest of the week. So we did. There will be more on this later.
And now I am home...packing once again for the annual Ruby's Inn retreat! This year's activities will include swimming, snowshoeing, sledding, shooting, softball (????) and many other activities...including Guitar Hero!

It's ok to be jealous.

Fashion Rules

There are many people who watched me growing up with my moon boot and hammer pants phases, that would shake your head and think, "There's just something not right with that boy."

Well, truth be told, when it came to fashion, I had a lot to learn.

However, I would like to think that over the last few years I have proven myself capable of flying solo on a clothing shopping trip...Despite the many times I would return home as a teenager and with great eagerness, exclaim to my sisters that I had successfully purchased clothes that would be accepted in even the highest of social cliques, and each time, having them say the same thing at the end of each showing, "Zach, you are not allowed to shop for clothes by yourself."

So it will come as a shock to many of you that I have actually had, on more than one occasion, perfectly sane people ask ME for fashion advice. I know...it's nuts.

But, feeling inspired and a bit ballyhooed, I have decided to give to the world my three rules on clothing and fashion. Any guy who adopts these rules into his shopping will always end up with a look that will turn heads...TOWARDS them, rather than away in shame.

Rule # 1 -

It's on a clearance rack for a reason.

Do NOT buy things on a clearance rack just because it is a good deal. Sure you may be able to clothe your body from the elements for a couple bucks cheaper...but those items are there because no one else wanted them. Don't buy them!

It is still possible to be frugal and look good. Just promise me you won't shop the Clearance Racks.

Rule # 2 -


If they don't have it in your size, don't buy it.

I don't care if you think you can pull off the baggy look or the tight look. Unless it was specifically designed for one of those two looks, and it is listed as your correct size, then don't buy it. A lot of people try to get away with buying something that is ALMOST their size. It's so close! Guess what? If you buy and wear it, you will ALMOST look cool...you will be so close!

In the end you either look desperate, or like you are wearing hand-me-downs, (which are perfectly fine as long as you are under the age of 10). Be willing to either look further for your size, or walk away from the choice and look for something else.

Rule # 3 -

If the mannequin is wearing it, so can you.

One of the greatest tools to buying clothes is the dummy standing there wearing the clothes. Stores WANT to sell clothing and they WANT to sell things that are hip and acceptable. They have a far better idea of what the general public is wearing than any one specific person, even if his name is Tommy Hilfiger.

When you are out shopping, take a look at what combination of clothing is out on display. This is especially effective when trying to match a tie with a shirt. These displays are put together by people who have studied and learned what goes with what.

Take no qualms with copying the exact outfit they have on display. This has never failed me, and it won't fail you either.

So there you have it. Zach's Rules of Fashion. I bet you never thought you would see the day.

It's Time

As many of you know, I have bandied about this country (and world) for quite some time...34 years in fact. After all of these travels and adventures and other whatnot worthy to be mentioned, (but won't be), I have decided that it is time for me to settle down and get married.

Ha ha! Just kidding...it's time to buy a house. Although...the marriage thing is something I am still pursuing. The only hitch with that is the fact that it is largely (as in 50% of the decision making), dependent upon someone else. I don't even know who that someone else currently is...let alone their interest level in an eternal commitment with me. But the adventures of learning that can be found at my new blog: www.whydatingstinks.blogspot.com, co-authored with my friend Paty.

But I digress...and should probably apologize for getting all of your hopes up. But do not give up on me getting married yet...I haven't.

In the meantime, I have decided that this summer, when my contract at my current apartment comes to a conclusion, that rather than renew once again with the lovely Harman Apartment Management Group, I am going to buy a house!

Not him.
One of these:

At that time, I also hope that Craig and Colter will know that they are personally invited to live there too.


In answer to your first, and most important question about my future home purchase, the answer is, "YES! I will be installing a Fire Pole."

For anyone with whom I have discussed home ownership will attest to, I have been a huge advocate of the Fire Pole for many years. In fact, I have but two things I WILL install into my abode as soon as the papers are signed.

1 - A Fire Pole

2 - A urinal

If the house is a single story with a basement, the pole will go between both floors. If I get a two-story house, with basement, you can be assured that the sliding goodness that is a fire pole will stretch all the way from the upper most story, all the way to the bowels of the basement.

But it MUST have a basement...as a single story fire pole, just doesn't have the same effect.

And what good standing male doesn't appreciate a urinal? Ladies...trust me...it will leave for a cleaner bathroom in the long run.

(You should have seen the images that came up when typing "urinal" into Google Images...oh wait...no you shouldn't.)

The other collection of gallimaufry knick-knacks and what's-its, will come along in time. Goodness knows I have pretty much everything required to furnish a home, from Projector for home theater, to milkshake machine for thick, delicious home-made milkshakes of whatever flavor you desire.

So the house will be well furnished.

The only encumbrance in this whole expedition to home ownership is...I have no idea what to do. I've never bought a house before. Sure, I have read books on it. I have read the World Wide Web with its many "www." pages. I have even been INSIDE of homes before...just to see what it is like in there.

But all this mortgage, ARP, Short Sale, Equity, Down Payment, "Former Meth Lab Check", is all about as foreign to me as...well...the experience of marriage.

Anyway...as with everything else I need to know in life...eventually I will either catch on, or buy The Complete Idiot's Guide to Purchasing Your First Home.

Oh wait...I already own that one.

But hopefully, sometime in July-ish or August, you will all be invited to my housewarming party in Provo...or Springville...or Payson...or Lehi...or somewhere in Utah County...or maybe Salt Lake County...but wherever it is, it will definitely have two stories...with a basement...or maybe it will be a rambler...yes, with a basement...with a yard...maybe a garage...and a dog...dogs come standard in homes, right? Should I look for a tub to be included? What about faucets? Outlets? It should come with a roof, right? The door should both open AND close? Will I need a vacuum? Or will a maid suffice?

Maybe I should research this a bit.