Top 3 searches from themelvinator blog of 2008

Well, here we are, at the eve of 2009.  I figure I would share the top search terms for 2008, (terms used from search engines to find this blog).  Let’s start with number 1:

1. Ruben Simeo (with more than 230 hits) :: I did a post of Ruben Simeo earlier this year.  If you don’t know already, Ruben is a truly gifted trumpet player, with a tone and extraordinary proficiency beyond his years.  Also did I mention he is like 16 years old!?  He has played in various trumpet competitions and orchestras all over the globe.  I see him as an awesome performer to watch in the future. Here is a recent clip of him playing in Japan, with a version of “The Flight of the Bumblebee“: 
2. Battlestar Galactica (with more than 70 hits) :: I am a huge fan of the SCIFI channel’s version of “Battlestar Galactica”.  In case you have never seen, I would encourage anybody to check it out.  A lot of people I have talked to think that the show is a “geeky”, or “nerdy” show… and maybe it is, but it is so much more.  With a great story and some complex characters, it is FTW (For The Win, if my parents are reading this)!  This all-star cast includes Edward James Olmos (“Stand and Deliver”, “American Me”) and Mary McDonnell (“Independence Day”, “Dances  with Wolves”), and some fairly new talent of the likes of Jamie Bamber, Tricia Helfer and Katee Sackoff.  I would only advise that if you are first starting out, start with the first season DVD, and watch the 4 part Mini-series first, which is in the first season DVD pack, then go from there. This season is half-way though it’s 4th and final season, closing out a wonderful saga.  Here is a clip (Warning: could be a spoiler for newbies, so don’t watch if you want to “go in fresh”, or watch, if you dare: 
3. Studying playlist (with over 20 hits) :: This post is something I wrote as a lark, the reason being that I wanted to share some of the music I listened to.  The list is all comprised of classical music.  I would listen to this if I wanted to do some “hardcore” reading and studying.  The majority of hits occurred during the month of May and recently in mid-December, which is evidence that people are desperately looking for playlists to optimize the studying for finals.

These were the top searches on themelvinator blog.  I am looking forward for next years top searches, and a bit curious.

I guess this will wrap it up for this years posts.  Hopefully, I will post more content in 2009 (and they will be interesting… I promise).  I wish everyone a Happy New Year!

Until next time…

The “After, after, after Christmas party”

I hope everyone had a great Christmas.  The Nez brothers and I went to Sedona on Christmas Eve.  The funny thing is that we don’t actually have relatives in Sedona, nor family.  It was sort of a spur of the moment thing, stemming from when the family met on Thanksgiving.  Normally, we meet either at home (Leupp, AZ) or at my aunt’s house (Prescott Valley, AZ) for Christmas.  Overall, the holidays was great; spending some time with relatives, EATING LOTS OF FOOD, and catching up.

Christmas morning in Sedona

What I got for Christmas was a gourmet tea brewer, some tea (from Adagio Teas) and a scarf.  I enjoy iced tea and some hot teas, but all the teas I have drank have been bagged.  For me, tea:

1. Tastes good, but some teas are definitely an acquired taste.
2. Good for you, health-wise.
3. May give you an air of sophistication.

I look forward in enjoying many cups of hot tea in the future.

As for the scarf… it is awesome!  The design sort of looks like it was clipped off a robe of some sort and it is made of wool, but it is quite stylish and keeps me warm.

We took a day trip to Flagstaff the day after Christmas, mainly to see some snow and perhaps do a little shopping.  And snow it is we saw.  For the most part, the roads were good, but we did encounter a few cars that slipped off the freeway, including one truck that was flipped over.  We arrived to Flagstaff unscathed.

We did a little shopping at the Flagstaff Mall.  It only took 5 minutes to walk from one end to the other (the mall is that small).  The one thing I do love about the mall is the kiosk that sells roasted almonds, called Old World Style Almonds.  Roasted almonds has always been synonymous with Christmas in the Nez family and we had to order a few bags.

We had lunch at La Fonda’s Mexican Restaurant.  Always wonderful; I don’t think I had ever had a bad meal here.

After lunch, we headed back down to Sedona to drop off my father and headed back down to Tucson.

Christmas time is always great, especially seeing relatives and friends that you normally don’t see on a day-to-day basis.  I hope your Christmas was as awesome as mine.  Anyway, happy holidays and have a great new year!

Until next time…

YouTube Friday: “Snoop makes Mashed Potatoes”

I hope everyone had a great Christmas, will post something soon on how my holiday season went.  This clip is Snoop Dogg making mashed potatoes on “The Martha Stewart Show”…  I thought this would be sort of appropriate for the holidays.  Enjoy!

Until next time…

YouTube Friday: “Mario Kart – Remi Gaillard”

Thirteen days until Christmas and I am getting very excited!  I was referred to his clip by one of my favorite video podcast, the Buzz Report with Molly Wood, and I laughed out loud.  This weeks clip is loosely based on the game “Mario Kart“.  Enjoy!

Until next time…

YouTube Friday: “2007 Pride of Arizona Tears for Fears”

I hope everybody had a great Thanksgiving holiday!  I haven’t posted recently but while on vacation I was thinking about the time when I was in the Pride of Arizona, “The World’s first Alternative Marching Band” at the University of Arizona.  Back then, I was playing trumpet, between 1996-97… or in POA speak, the Chili Pepper / 1st Pink Floyd shows.  These clips are from last year’s season, I hope you enjoy!

Until next time.