30 December 2007

I Miss Asia, Part Two

A good friend of mine who now teaches English in Korea just posted this video on her blog, citing that "it is the cell phone ring of every girl in her class" and "can be heard in any clothing store if you stay for at least 10 minutes." I just think it's totally hilarious. Enjoy!



The link, if you can't see the embed: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQTIsi0IlZc

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Kyle Taylor

29 December 2007

Christmas With The Griswalds...I Mean Taylors

It might come as no surprise that my family is large, loud and always right. That is, each member is ALWAYS right, which isn't possible because I am always right. When the holidays roll around I think of three things: Christmas lights, christmas food and 19 people all opening presents at the exact same time in my grandparent's living room. This year was no exception to all of the above. I know the Taylors are overbearing. I know the Taylors are very "vocal." I know the Taylors can, at times, be a lot to handle. Still, we're more fun than any family I've ever met, and it was nice to be at home this year (after all, I was in Shanghai last year). Here's a few photos cataloging the "adventure:"

My Nana, the QUEEN of Christmas (and all holiday things kitsch - note the hat):


My Mom, this year's Princess of Presents. We was good to her:


Payne Stewart, I Mean My Dad, King Of "To Me, From Me." He Funds Most of The Holiday Operation:


My Mom Holding My Dad's "Favorite" Gift - Underwear That Doubles As A Tent For Two:


The Aftermath of a Taylor Christmas (Don't Worry, We Recycled All The Paper):


All 19 Of Us - Now That's Pretty Cool!

26 December 2007

Christmas In SoCal & Driving Lessons


It's Christmas in Southern California, which means all 19 family members opening gifts simultaneously in a rather small living room, matching sweaters, limited amounts of corn because Uncle Michael bogarts the serving dish and open season on southern California highways. Nana sent this my way. Enjoy, and pay particularly close attention to numbers 5 and 6. To those of you who have visited me here, all I have to say is, "I told you so." Happy Holidays!


Things To Know Before Driving In LA:

1. You must first learn to pronounce the city name, it is LA.

2. The morning rush hour is from 5:00 am to noon. The evening rush hour is from noon to 7:00 pm. Friday's rush hour starts on Thursday morning.

3. The minimum acceptable speed on most freeways is 85 mph. On the 105 or 110, your speed is expected to match the highway number. Anything less is considered "Wussy".

4. Forget the traffic rules you learned elsewhere. L A has its own version of traffic rules. For example, cars/trucks with the loudest muffler go first at a four-way stop; the trucks with the biggest tires go second. However, in Malibu , SUV-driving, cell phone talking moms ALWAYS have the right of way.


5. If you actually stop at a yellow light, you will be rear ended, cussed out, and possibly shot.

6. Never honk at anyone. Ever. Seriously. It's another offense that can get you shot.

7. Road construction is permanent and continuous in all of L A and Orange counties. Detour barrels are moved around for your entertainment pleasure during the middle of the night to make the next day's driving a bit more exciting.

8. Watch carefully for road hazards such as drunks, skunks, dogs, cats barrels, cones, celebs, rubberneckers, shredded tires, cell phoners, deer and other road kill, and the coyotes feeding on any of these items.

9. Map quest does not work here, none of the roads are where they say they are or go where they say they do and all the freeway off and on ramps are moved each night.


10. If someone actually has their turn signal on, wave them to the shoulder immediately to let them know it has been "accidentally activated."

11. If you are in the left lane and only driving 70 in a 55-65 mph zone, you are considered a road hazard and will be "flipped off accordingly. If you return the flip, you'll be shot.

12. Do not try to estimate travel time, just leave Monday afternoon for Tuesday appointments, by noon Thursday for Friday and right after church on Sunday or Temple on Saturday for anything on Monday morning.

15 December 2007

Every Human Has Rights

I'm still typing with two fingers, heavily medicated and a bit loopy so, in the meantime, read this and sign it. Every human being deserve the most basic human rights. Now that is universal...

The link, in case it doesn't work: http://everyhumanhasrights.org/

More on what it's like not to have arms soon...

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-Kyle Taylor

12 December 2007

Wanna Change The World? I Think YES

I'm sorry I've been out of the loop. Shoulder surgery has made it all but impossible to type! I'm in for shoulder number two tomorrow, which means I'll probably be away a few more days...In the meantime, enjoy the following. It's our all new music video (rough cut) set to a song written FOR US by an amazing new artist, Matt Miller. It's called "Wanna Change The World" and I can't help but nod my head and tap my foot when I hear it...ROCK OUT! More post-surgery...



The link, in case it doesn't imbed: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iN9GLbxBeMo

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Kyle Taylor