30 Things Most Folks Wouldn't Ask

1. Have you ever been searched by the cops? Yes.
2. Do you close your eyes on roller coaster? No. I paid the money, I should enjoy the ride.
3. When's the last time you've been sledding? Winter of 2008-9.
4. Would you rather sleep with someone else, or alone? There's almost nothing I'd prefer to do alone.
5. Do you believe in ghosts? No. Neither do I believe in fairies or little green monsters.
6. Do you consider yourself creative? Yes.
7. Do you think O.J. killed his wife? I don't care.
8. Jennifer Aniston or Angelina Jolie? Both. At the same time.
9. Can you honestly say you know ANYTHING about politics? Yes. A lot. My first major in college was pre-law. Politics is fascinating.
10. Do you know how to play poker? No.
11. Have you ever been awake for 48 hours straight? Yes.
12. What's your favorite commercial? I don't watch t.v.
13. Who was your first love? Tonya Badger
14. If you're driving in the middle of the night, and no one is around you, do you run a red light? Yes. Someone thought it was necessary, and I assume the know more about this road than I do.
15. Do you have a secret that no one knows but you? No.
16. Boston Red Sox or New York Yankees? Red Sox, of course.
17. Have you ever been Ice Skating? I played ice hockey four years.
18. Do you remember your dreams? Sometimes.
19. What's the one thing on your mind? Lately, open relationships, Drupal, Git, Apache. There's never ONE thing on my mind.
20. Do you always wear your seatbelt? Almost always.
21. What talent do you wish you had? To spin a writing instrument between the fingers of one hand.
22. Do you like Sushi? A bit.
23. What do you wear to bed? Boxer briefs.
24. Do you truly hate anyone? Jesus.
25. If you could date one famous person, who would it be? Elizabeth Shue.
26. Do you know anyone in jail? Yes.
27. What food do you find disgusting? Cucumbers and avocados.
28. Have you ever made fun of your friends behind their back? Yes.
29. Have you ever been punched in the face? No.
30. Do you believe in angels and demons? Seriously? See #5.

25 Random Things About Me

1. When I was a kid my dad built us a house in Anchorage, Alaska that featured a fire pole that went from the kids' floor to the first floor where there was a wall-to-wall trampoline.

2. I am a private (airplane) pilot.

3. I've lived in 13 states.

4. I was in the US Air Force for eleven years.

5. I was at Kennedy Space Center during the Challenger disaster January 28, 1986.

6. I love lighthouses because they are beautiful, majestic, historic, purposeful and just plain awesome!

7. I was a Mormon for thirty years and served a full-time proselyting mission for two of those years.

8. I want to start a scenic postcard business.

9. I like specialty cheeses and Guinness beer.

10. I read the newspaper every day.

11. I broke my leg in a skiing accident when I was a kid.

12. I spent childhood summers at my grandparents' house in Olympia, Washington. I miss them.

13. I think Michael Jackson is a brilliant artist.

14. I drove a Volkswagon Beetle when I was a teenager...and loved it!

15. I love to drive but would like to live in an urban apartment and not own a car.

16. I've received aerobatic instruction in a Stearman biplane.

17. I have degrees in both avionics systems and computer science.

18. I lived on a horse ranch in Palmer, Alaska and a cattle ranch in St. Cloud, Florida.

19. My favorite sport to watch on television is tennis.

20. I watch television less than one hour each week.

21. I used to live in a tiny apartment in Boston's financial district. They didn't deliver mail on Saturdays.

22. I have visited 43 US states and love Maine best! I have never been to Virginia, West Virginia, Delaware, Maryland, Wisconsin, Michigan or New Jersey.

23. When I was twelve I traveled in a car from Alaska to Florida with my dad and older brother. We lived in a hotel near Walt Disney World for a month.

24. I've never flown in a helicopter. I'd really like to do that.

25. I jumped out of an airplane for fun.

Google Images - For Amy Maxey

Favorite Vacation: Marseille, France

Favorite Color: Blue (Saturn)

Favorite Food: Jalapenos

Favorite Treat: Guinness

Age: 35

Middle Name: Jason

Last Name: Danley

Place Where I Live Now: Saco, Maine

Place I Grew Up: USA

Place I'd Like To Visit: Acadia National Park

Favorite Animal: Python

Past Love: Woodworking

First Name: Brent

Poignant Little Girl

Do violent video games and rap music create violent children?

A Date With Jenna

Yesterday Jenna needed a new coloring book so I took her to the bookstore (one of my favorite places!). She got to sit in the front seat of the van and select the CD tracks. Apparently it was her first time in the front. It was a very big deal! I don't think we listed to more than ten seconds of any song as she searched back and forth for a "prettier" one.

When we pulled into the parking lot of Barnes & Noble Jenna told me they don't have any coloring books. She was right. So we went to Borders. Their coloring book selection isn't much better. She picked out two Barbie books then followed me around until I eventually found "The End of Faith" by Sam Harris. Apparently books about the human atrocities perpetrated by people of faith in the name of religion aren't too popular around here.

After we made our purchase we went to Hooters. Kirsten keeps a box of crayons in the glove box so Jenna was able to use twenty-four colors instead of the four crayon colors they have at Hooters. We sat in our booth and talked, colored, and read. It was nice to have one-on-one time together. Jenna ordered chocolate cake. She was excited it was all hers and she didn't have to share with her sisters. She quickly ate the chocolate chips off the back and the huge glob of frosting on the top.

Brent Danley Photography

Downtown Wichita
Originally uploaded by brentdanley.

A few days ago I got a Flickrmail from the proprietor of a gift shop in one of our local malls. They were inquiring about purchasing several of my pictures.

Today I got a check in the mail for Downtown Wichita and Keeper of the Plains. Very cool. They're going to put them on mugs and magnets.

Finally Back in My City

Joy in Boston
Originally uploaded by brentdanley.

The first time I came to Boston was in December 1992 as a missionary for the LDS church (I've since left the church and am not a member). When we got off the plane as missionaries in 1992 we were instructed to make our way to the mission office in Cambridge. We rode the subway to downtown, walked through Quincy Market, and eventually made our way to Harvard Square. I instantly fell in love with this magnificent and historic city. I'm BACK! This is Kirsten's first trip to Boston.

Somehow neither of us can reconstruct how we missed our plane in Chicago. That put us in Boston an hour after our planned arrival time which left us four hours until we had to be at North Station to catch the Downeaster to Portland. We rode the Blue Line to Government Center and walked to the Boston Common. Then we walked up Washington Street looking for a place I could buy some shoes. After passing the Old State House we turned on Beacon and walked past the Massachusetts State House and on to Cheers where we had lunch.

After lunch we strolled through the Public Garden then up Stuart Street to Copley Square. The memories of walking these streets every day over a decade ago came flooding back. I wanted time to stop so I could catch my breath. I'm in love and I'm back! It's so nice.

Just after 5 o'clock we caught the Green Line to North Station where we bought our Downeaster tickets and waited for the train. We got in the second-to-last car which was a good decision. We were able to get four seats at the end of the car that faced each other. It was nice to read, prepare photos for Flickr, talk, and for Kirsten to sleep. The ride was roomy, comfortable, and very pleasant. Halfway into the ride I ventured to the snack car and got a hot dog and Coke. Next time I'll bring my own lunch.

Today we're in Maine! Portland is the city to which we've been planning to move. I hope we're not disappointed. It was after dark when we arrived so we couldn't see much. Our hotel shuttle driver, Heather, was very nice and answered all our Portland questions.

It's getting light out. We'll have breakfast here in our hotel, get a rental car, and check out the city. It should be a fun day.

Airshows

Thunderbird Takeoff
Originally uploaded by brentdanley.

Kirsten Update - she's doing great! She's been ordered to do no more than brisk walking and less than five pound weights for the next two months. We'll see if she can do that. I doubt it. One day last week I caught her doing calisthenics on our bedroom floor. She didn't think I'd catch her.

Today Neal and I went to the 2006 McConnell AFB Open House. It was great. The US Air Force Thunderbirds headlined the show. Visit my Flickr page for pictures. Next weekend I'll be at Kansas City to watch the Navy's Blue Angels.

Kirsten said instead of going to the airshow tomorrow I should take her and the girls to the Kansas State Fair. It should be a different kind of fun. It'll be nice to see the girls see the animals.