Coda by Panic Software
As a web designer this tool has been revolutionary in my process. I can FTP and live-update with the best of 'em. I love the way it displays code and interacts with its sister tool, Transmit.

KEEN Winterport II Boots
Working at a ski resort puts me in all kinds of unusual weather conditions. These boots have performed well so far and have now replaced my old trusted Sorel's. Slip on quick and not-so-bulky enables me to commute to work in comfort and style.

Blitzen Trapper - Furr
The opening song Sleepy Time In The Western World still gives me chills in all it's lovely through-composed goodness. The title track Furr lyrically cracks me up. It's nice to hear songs crafted not only with unusual orchestration, but unconventional form as well. It takes me back to listening to Prog Rock (in a good way).

CSS Edit
With the ability to rework any living website, this tool has taught me more about CSS than just about any other means. Quite possibly the best $30 I've spent on software.

The Garant Yukon Snow Pusher
Leave it to the Canadians to design a perfect snow removal device. I stumbled upon this beauty at our locally owned and operated Ace Hardware™ last year and have consistently marveled at the engineering behind it. The handle is so well thought out with its two or one handed option. The bent neck has saved my back and made lifting not nearly as troublesome as it could be. Too bad this was omitted from Gary Hustwit's industrial design documentary Objectified.

Trade Gothic
One of the most basic typefaces in my arsenal, yet so beautiful and utilitarian. It has this unique ability to get out of the way of content while standing on it's own if needed. As a headline or display it works as well as looking good as body copy.

Tilt Shift Generator
This year my Verizon contract finally expired and I got to get with my peers and purchase an iPhone. Sure, AT&T has lived up to it's mediocre service but having this little photo app has more than compensated from those pestering phone calls. I also love the companion Toy Camera app as well. Worth every bit of the $2.99 I paid.

Fully Automated Sprinkling Systems
Since my wife and I moved into our house five years ago it has been my dream to install a sprinkling system and plant new desert-friendly sod. Finally this past summer this dream came to fruition. I broke concrete, rented a trencher, nearly clipped our gas line, made 300 visits to our locally owned and operated Ace Hardware™ store, glued my fingers together and got to know my father on a much higher level. Tears fell when I finally saw and heard water spraying from those beautiful little sprinkler heads.

Smashing Magazine
As a web designer I drink from the fountain of wisdom and knowledge this site has to offer. Following them on twitter is an even more rewarding experience.

The Art of The Title Sequence Blog
I'm sure it's obvious by now that I'm a type geek. The Art Of The Title blog scratches that itch as it breaks down the beauty that is this medium. Sad that there is so much crap out there when there could be so much beauty.

This American Life
On the rare occasion that I get to travel with my family, my wife and I love to hook up an iPod and catch up on these podcasts. We love the stories and the story telling, though I think that my wife has a crush on host Ira Glass. Sometimes I wonder if there's something in my life that'd make an interesting story, but then I come to my senses and realize that I don't have anything to add.

Queens Of The Stoneage - Songs For The Deaf
I've owned this for years and remains one of the only albums that brings me to air-drum. Just ask my coworkers. Dave Grohl is possibly one of the greatest rock drummers that I've ever heard.

Sufjan Stevens - Illinois
Sure, I know that I'm a little behind on this one but once I was bitten, I was smitten. I love the orchestration and the unconventional use of conventional instruments (well, conventional to the son of a band teacher). Chicago is one of those songs that I could play over and over and has this magical quality to it. Thank goodness for all the remixes of I've now come across.

ISO50
It never seems to fail that I find inspiration every time I visit this site. Scott Hansen is brilliant and I'd love nothing more than to adorn my house with his beautiful posters.

Wilco - Wilco (The Album)
Not quite on the same level as Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, but better than just about any other album I've heard this year. Glenn Kotche is simply the most interesting drummer I've heard in years. I appreciate how he doesn't take the easy way out and gives each song something unique and interesting.

Where has the time gone?

I'm so late with this it really isn't even funny. Here it is the second day of September and I'm just now getting around to writing about July. Needless to say I've been pegged trying to find a new job and doing my best to get our yard finished up.

Well, I'm happy to report that as of this writing I am now gainfully employed at Snowbird as their Electronic Marketing Manager. I started there a couple of days ago and will basically be in charge of their website plus a whole lot more. So far I like it. The people are nice and I'm really excited about skiing just about every day. Also, there's something about that place. I have always thought it was so beautiful. I love the architecture and the overall scheme. Hopefully all of that will trump the commute up the canyon every day.

Anyway, in July we had a great time as a family.

Monsoon season meant that Ruby got to be creative with her outerwear.

The we spent time with Campbell cousins on the 4th of July.

Then Ruby and I traveled to American Fork to watch the drum corps rehearse. Of course Ruby, you were still smitten with your new roller skates that were handed down by the Faldmo's.

And were extra headband-y that day as well.

For a while we had been hearing the sad news that Grandpa Alma Terry was beginning to pass away. He was just two weeks shy of his 98th birthday when he finally succumbed. We loaded up the van and headed south to Enterprise for his funeral.

The Stewart's came out from Washington DC to attend.

And almost everybody was there from your Mom's family.

Here's the Jasonian's.

And us, the patatomic's.

Grandma Helen had a tough day, but seemed to be in good spirits.

The Enterprise LDS Chapel made for some artsy moments for me.

Ruby, you and cousins Sam and Lyndon had a good time at the dinner.

I forgot to sunblock, yet still managed to look ever so cool in my new prescription shades despite the nasty burn on top.

Ruby, you took the opportunity to help keep Grandpa Alma's garden going. Okay, not really...this was a photo op, but hey this garden meant so much to him. He most likely lived so long because most of his diet probably came out of this plot of land.

While we were that far south, we thought we'd make a weekend out of it and headed to St. George. Here we swam and ate cake and hot dogs and spent time with family. It was nice.

Then came the holiday's of all Utah holidays...the 24th of July. This year your mom took you down to Beaver to celebrate at Uncle Bucks cabin. I on the other hand, traveled to Logan to play a gig. I missed you, but it doesn't look like you missed me much.

Once again, our porch makes for some awesome summer afternoon's. So long as those afternoons include popcycles or some other frozen goodness.

Well kids...once again, I can't even begin to express how much I love being your father. It's so fun to watch you both evolve and become who you are.

Love,
Dad

Monk meaning this.