Check out this video of the Easter Bunny misbehaving. For some reason, the high-production quality of this video is the funniest part to me. I implore you, watch it. and be afraid. be very afraid.

Source: Laura, thanks!

What a great April -- I felt I needed to blog something because I've been out of it for awhile. Here's whats transpired!

• 4 Day Business trip to Minneapolis
• 2 Days at Barton Springs Pool
• 2 Nights downtown
• 1 Float down the Guadalupe River
• In other words, lots of work, lots of play, and lots of eating.

I swear I'll get those Egypt pictures up there sometime soon! Its taking me a long time to organize and I'm running out of space on jumphook.com to house it all. I'm working on it :)

In honor of the US Tax due date being upon us, I find it to be a great time to review some of the stranger taxes that this country has put together. That's right, the USA may not tax everyone the most; but no one can argue with the USA Tax Code being the most complicated tax system in the universe.

• Last year, Tennessee became the latest of more than 20 states to tax illegal drugs. Under the law, when you acquire an illegal drug, you have 48 hours to report to the state and pay your tax, although you aren‘t required to identify yourself. Once you‘ve paid, you’ll receive stamps to put on your illegal substance to show evidence you paid the tax. You don’t have to identify yourself to pay the tax.
• To help clean up Chesapeake Bay, Maryland residents must pay a “flush tax” tacked onto septic and sewer bills.
• In Maine, anyone who grows, purchases or sells blueberries there will pay a tax.
• In Utah, owners of “sexually explicit businesses,” where someone appears nude or partially nude, must pay a 10% tax.
• If you want to buy a deck of playing cards in Alabama, be prepared to pay a tax.
• In Mississippi, you’ll pay a 7% tax on all amusements, unless you are going to hear gospel music and the program is not mixed with “hillbilly or popular singing,” according to tax experts.
• In Arkansas, you’ll pay a tax if you get a tattoo or nose ring.
• Canada isn't exempt. In Ontario, boxes of breakfast cereal that contain a toy or bonus item are not subject to retail sales tax, provided the item is not liquor, wine or beer.

Source: Fark.com, MSN Money article

2 weeks ago when I was out in the Sahara desert waiting for a total solar eclipse -- I met this cool solar eclipse chasing scientist guy from the Netherlands; Check out this great picture he nabbed of the Saloum eclipse! Source: Henk Bril - Check out more great pics he took of the ecilpse at: http://www.astrobril.nl/eclipsen7.html

Just thought I would throw a quick congratulatory note to my MOM -- she won the 2006 NCAA bracket pool that wound down last week while I was in Egypt. C'mon people, that's the 2nd time she's won it in the short history of this pool. More kudos go to the runner up who also gets some cool cash: Mr. Eric Sulzer. Congratulations congratulations congratulations. Though I'm still nebulous about declaring a winner that didn't pick George Mason to the final 4 haha. Thanks for playing everyone!

Well everyone, here's a simple shout out: "I'm home". The trip was simply fantastic, and I will do my best to write the stories out in due time; as well as get the pictures and videos posted. Special thanks to my favorite group of thrill seekers: Dustin, Scott, Justin, and Hexar for being gamers and helping to make that trip so amazing!

The 4 Austinites have landed in Madrid! We checked into Los Amigos about an hour ago and we´re trying to gear up to see the city in shifts. Justin & Scott are resting first, while Hexar and I push thru. Thinking about a little geocaching to find out what is hidden in this city; and we will probably check out the famous Prado museum this afternoon. And then party till 6am when we head back to the airport heading for home.

You should really try the café con leche con chocolate y churros sometime!

Well here we are, Hurghada -- the biggest beach resort town on Egypt's eastern coast. Unfornately we're only here for a spell; enough time to hit the beach and not much else :( The group is splitting up: i'm heading to Cairo with Dustin because he needs to leave early AND we're both game for the night bus trip back (leaving tonight). The rest of the guys are staying in a hotel here and spending the day tomorrow in the bus. We'll sync back up in a day or so back at the 'ole familiar Meramees hostel back in Cairo. BTW - We've found two geocaches and dropped off my American Bear travel bug! Ah geocaching around the world what a hobby!

Oh man what a cruise! That past 3 days put the vacation back in... well... my vacation :) We just spent 3 nights on a cruise boat, with 5-star quality service, meals, and even a small swimming pool. We have gone from Luxor to Aswan, and just arrived tonight. Tomorrow morning the fairy tale ends and we are back off to 'discover our own adventure' and work our way back to Cairo. We have seen some really cool temples, and run into Alejandro & his wife a few times along the way to boot. Also, the ban on drinking was offically lifted (!) as we have been passing thru a lot of tourist areas that have beer and liquor. So we stocked up in the boat hotel room and have been drinking there. Our boat was full of people that spoke other languages -- mostly tourists from France. We met several English saavy frenchmen/women and also a very friendly family from New Zealand on holiday. They offered to put me up for awhile at their home on an asparagus farm -- if I get to visit New Zealand like I am thinking possibly in October or November, so I am really excited about that too... The cruise was just amazing. Anyway, the plan now is to head up towards Cairo and maybe catch a day at the Red Sea at a resort town on the way back to hit the beach or try diving. Then we are back to see the pyramids (finally) and then to start collecting souveniers. Anyway, all is well in Egypt. Much love... ~Darin