The UFC and the MMA world.

Here are a few of my thoughts on the UFC and the MMA world.

1. Tim Silvia is a horrible fighter
2. Rampage is a one time wonder and would not beat Chuck again ever
3. Watching the light weights fight is boring
4. I dont care for all the foreigners that cry after they win or lose on national telivision.
5. The UFC is undeniably the best of the best as far as fighters, but They really need to start paying these guys more money.
6. I dont know anyone who can beat Fedor or Anderson Silva at this time in their weight classes.
7. Forest Griffin is awesome
8. The ultimate fighter series keeps getting better.
9. I hope Affliction keeps growing.
10. My favorite fighters right now are: forest Griffin, Fedor Emilianenko, Chuck, Anderson Silva, BJ Penn,
11. I am also looking forward to watching a few of the young guys progress
12. Uriah Faber is fun to watch even though he is a little tike.

%&*#in TAG?

I would only do this for you Marla...and don't ever let anyone say that Tom is a "Ninny".

Im not sure which one you want so Ill do them both. How bout that?

Tag 1.

Two names you go by: Big Tom, Tommygun

Two things Im wearing right now: shirt and basketball shorts

Two longest car rides: Drove 36 hours two Florida (3 days of driving) , then when I moved back to Az..I did it straight with no sleep

Two of my favorite things: My Colt .45 and my guitar

Two things you want very badly right now: success and health

Two animals you have or have had: Leo the Lizard now and a Rambo the Scorpion

Two people to fill this out: Janel and Stephanie

Two things you ate today: Hamburger and Spaghetti Oh's

Two people you last spoke with: Matt and Dave

Two things you are doing tomorrow: Stressing and Brainstorming

Two favorite hollidays: Spring Training Baseball and My Birthday ( I realize those arent hollidays, but they are still my favorite)

Two favorite beverages: Orange Juice and V8

K ..Tag #2

Picture Blog Tag.The rules are you have to take ten pictures of the following things. And you have to do it right away. No straightening, cleaning or wiping your child's nose. Then you tag five others.

1. The Fridge: nothing in there, we just got back from vacation

2. The Closet: there's Brett hiding in there

3. Self Portrait: this was actually from months ago but i look all scragly

4. Favorite Room: My office. thie picture is fuzzy

6. Laundry Room: What is David doing in there?

7. Toilet: Caught Tommy in here...weird

8. What your kids are doing right now: posing in weird places for this tag thing

9. Favorite Vacation Spot: anywhere I can play roulette

10. Favorite shoes: my white loafers from ALDO

Ok I tag nobody..this is a pain in the ass and i dont want anyone cursing my name like im doing to Marla right now!

Thoughts on a Sunday afternoon

I have a few comments on some random thoughts that are pressing on my mind currently.



1. I have no room whatsoever at this time in my life for negativity. My toleration for those who are negative is growing thinner as I grow older. Now, that being said, I personally need to work on controlling my own negativity which I have full intention of doing. I am in no way exempt. I have more thoughts on this matter which I will refrain from documenting at this time.



2. We as Men (Fathers, Husbands, Priesthood Leaders Etc...) have an extremely difficult responsibility to maintain our households spiritually, mentally, physically, and financially. It is my observation, that often times, the burdens which are placed on the shoulders of men are overlooked and under appreciated. I want it clear that I am in NO WAY complaining about anyone in particular in my life personally, however, I have witnessed this in my life and in the lives of others around me. This is not an attack on women or anything of that nature as I have much respect for the burdens which women have to bare. These are simply my thoughts that are on my mind at the moment. I do not expect anyone to read my writing and go out and change their behavior, nor do I expect any different treatment.



3. I want to say something concerning my wife as it has been pointed out to me that I have not mentioned her very often in my writing. Alice is quite possibly the best wife, mother, cook, maid, taxi driver, and friend on the planet. She is talented in so many ways. She is feisty, smart, beautiful, loving, understanding and warm. Sure, like any human being, she is not perfect, however I'm pretty convinced that there is no one else on this creation that is more tailored to put up with me and my way of thinking. For those of you who know me, I am in no way admitting that my way of thinking is wrong or abnormal. I just think that it is different than most of society, which makes all the rest of society wrong. And she does a good job of putting up with that.



4. I have a struggle at the moment with random people. On one hand, I believe that we are all ONE. Without going too much into doctrine, I believe that our connection with one another is based off of The Creation from our Father in Heaven. The question is this; Why am I so annoyed with random strangers and their uncanny ability to be ignorant and indifferent. Why do people tend to see faults in one another long before they recognize their talents and abilities? Why is it that people are two-faced and back-stabbing to one another long before they are charitable and understanding? This is something that I really struggle with. To be "Christ like" is one of the hardest things to be, yet it only makes the most sense logically. I agree that unconditional love and forgiveness is crucial to our eternal joy. I don't need anyone to send me scriptural references or anything to answer these questions as I have read them all already. I'm positive that I am not the first to struggle with this. I suppose I just need to humble myself somehow.



5. I consider myself to be an extremely easy going man. I don't get worked up easily, nor do I even raise my voice but on few occasions. I am working very hard to restrain my thoughts at the moment as I reflect on certain recent incidents. I will leave it at this. We have a responsibility to not only teach, but to groom our children into the gods they are to become. Of course they have the ultimate responsibility for their own soles, but as parents, there is a responsibility that we will be judged upon, that has more importance than most people comprehend. Because of that I feel as if it is a direct threat to me, when others impose their will upon my children, in any form. I realize that this is unavoidable on this earth, but I feel the need to do everything within my power to protect my right as a Father. My blood boils when I think of anyone other than myself, trying to interject their beliefs and motives into the minds of my children, which are contrary to my own. Furthermore, I do not tolerate those who feel the need to discipline my children physically or mentally. That is my job and my wife's job period.



6. I heard a very good talk today in church that has inspired me to be a better husband and father. Also, I am thankful for the opportunity to be married in the Temple with my wife.

Im Back Baby!

Well, I have been back from Panama for a few days now. As my trip was grueling and trying to say the least, I still feel it was rather productive. As always when I go down south to Panama, I get the opportunity to stay with my uncle Don. For those of you who dont know uncle Don, I will do my best to paint a picture of him. To start, He is a genius, when it comes to law and land title history. I dont know anyone with the type of mind conditioning to be able to do what he does. Instead of A Database with finca (parcel) numbers and Land title history, or even a file system containing maps and court documents etc..., he has all this stored in his head. Im talking hundreds and hundreds of cases, motions, purchases, sales, history going back over 100 years in some cases, all in his head. Now for the record, he does have file folders that these things are kept in, but they are all over the place, in different rooms, stacks and all kinds of places, yet if he needed a particular document, he'd find it in 5 seconds. Of course, a guy like this has his quirks. He refuses to stay up after 8pm. He wakes up at the crack of dawn (3 am) and starts his day. He does alot of work at the public registry and archives building in Panama City so he strategically places himself right across the street in a little asian restaurant, where he has 4 or 5 little runners fetching documents, noterizing documents and making copies. He will slip them a $5 bill or $10 bill here and there, and he will buy the secretaries breakfast every morning, just so he can have his people on the inside. Its quite the sight to see. Here is a picture of his "office". You can notice the files sitting on the table as his watcher takes care of watching his car and his papers for which he is compensated a dollar or two. He is an interesting character to say the least. He has worked extremely hard on these land title aquisitions for many years and hopefully he sees the fruits of his labors.



I also had the opportunity to go look at a couple properties with him and Mark, who came down for a few days. We drove for about an hour and a half to a little town called Lagarterita. I fell asleep on the way of course, just like i always do while riding in a car in Panama. The humidity and the air blowing through the windows puts me right to sleep everytime. As we pulled up to this lake property, Uncle Don said he was going to round up a boat for us to go around the lake in. People would think I was telling stories if I explained what pulled into the dock for us to "ride" in. Thats why I took a picture of it. this thing looked like it was 100 years old and ready to fall apart. as it pulled up, there was a girl with a bucket throwing water out of the boat. I said to my Uncle.."You dont expect ME to get in THAT...do you?" He replied "Sure..this thing is the real deal..you'll be fine." I acted like i wasnt nervous and i got in. I know i am a good swimmer. I got in and as soon as I entered, water started leaking from the bottom. I manned the bucket for a bit then traded to the Panamanian girl as I was more confident we would be ok. We saw the most beautiful sites on that lake. Its an Experience that Mark and I both agree that everyone should experience but few actually get to do. I took a picture of my Uncle Don and one of Mark and I, and a couple of the Islands and Lake properties. This would be an awesome place to have a little private casita to get away from everything. Also, The driver of the boat said he catches 100 fish in an hour on this lake.



It was an interesting trip. I also got a chance to go visit the new Temple that was completed the week I was there and the open house was going on so I took the tour. It is a beautiful Temple and I can't wait to go through it after it is dedicated. I had the privelidge of walking through with my couzin Brent and his family and my couzin Mark. I took a couple pictures of the outside but here is a link to the vertual tour provided by the Church. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6biooD7GY5Y .

The building below, is the home of the Temple President who I met and also the missionary quarters and Apartments for when the General Authorities come to visit. I heard that President Monson is coming down to Panama for the Temple Dedication on Aug 10th 2008. My couzin Brent who is the Stake President in the City has the privelidge of having his wife cooking for President Monson and their family is attending the dedication from inside the Temple.

Last but not least, I was riding in the SUV with Brent and we stopped to look at the sloth that was hanging on the fence by his house. He says he sees them all the time. I had to take his (or Her) picture.

All in all it was eventful and some fun. I am now getting ready to get back on a plane and fly to Utah, then drive to Wyoming to meet up with my family for some camping.

Off to PANAMA

Well, Im off to PANAMA...Again!...sheesh. What a drag huh? My cousin Mark and I are workin hard to put something together on this Land Development down there in Panama. Unfortunately for us, we have to travel down there occasionally, you know..for work. Anywho....I will be slaving away down in Central America for 2 weeks.

I know what you are thinking. Its not fair right? Why should I have to suffer through these trips instead of you right? I know. Life just isnt fair. Listen dont feel bad that i will be stuck in a third world country with no one to cook for me...you know what that means...

I will most likely have to go to Manolos or Lenas E Carbon for food. I know..Its not Alice's home cookin, but I'll manage. Dont feel bad for me that I will have to endure all the contruction going on and the rain. I have to listen to those darn tropical storms every day and night. I might have to get myself a pistacio milkshake, just so I can last through the days there...

then Im gonna have to taxi myself around during the night just so I can get to the restaurant without having to walk. Can you believe they will actually expect me to pay $1.50, just for them to drive me everywhere I need to go in town. What kind of scam is that I ask you?

Then of course there is all the darn sand. I mean On top of the horrible 85 degree weather and tropical rain storms, we got sand. does the insanity ever end? not to mention always smelling the ocean whenever we are by the coast. Listen, someone has to bite the bullet and take one for the team. I'll be the guy this time, but believe me. feel glad you are in your nice comfortable summer weather and you have your jobs to kill the time. I'll try to make the best of things.

The Blessing of Tiberious!

It was a pleasure for my family and I to go to my brother Nick's ward today for the blessing of his first son Nicholas Tiberious Van Vleet. This kid is adorable I tell you what! Of course I feel my kids are the handsomist kids in the history of kids, but this Tiberious is a close second. I want to say, I really love my nephews. Tyler and Nathan and Tiberious. Here are 3 of my kids Monique, Brett and David, hovering around Aunt Bethany, sneeking a peek at Ty.

Anyway, here is a picture of me and my nephew after his blessing today. I have to admit that I am very photogenic. I mean seriously folks, I am a good looking dude! It was almost unfair to Tiberious that he had his picture taken with me. After all, it is his day, not mine. What can I do? by the way. I stole this picture from Elizibeth's site. It was a good experience for our family today.

Warning !!!

I have been up lately during the night, partly due to my leg that is cruising through the healing process, a little financial stress, but mostly due to the state our country is in. As I learn more and more about what our country is becoming, I get extremely frustrated. Not only frustration overcomes me, but anger and bitterness toward those that seek to destroy us. My friends, there are very dangerous people that are seeking to enslave us. They are friends of the adversary, and they are closer to us than we can imagine. Without sounding too pompous, I have been giving a gift. I have an ability to go into situations where others would normally struggle with temptation. I am able to see what others cannot in these situations. This does not mean that I am unaffected by being in these situations nor does it mean that I intend to continually put myself self in these situations, however, I have been in them from time to time. I have had some very interesting experiences of finding certain souls that need a light or example and being in a place where those kinds of things don't usually exist, you would be surprised at what can happen when those who are lost are drawn to those who are standing in holy places, even if the holy place is the 2' circumference around that individual only. I bare witness of these things, that there is always someone watching and always someone looking for that light. BE THAT LIGHT! I'm not telling you to go to a bar or night club and show your light there, but if you happen to find yourself in that situation for whatever reason, let it shine bright. This however is a stray from my initial topic on my mind tonight. the topic i am referring to is in found in Ether 8. Secret combinations. There are those secret combinations that are wolves in sheep's clothing, that are looking to destroy us, LDS or not. They want to take our freedoms from us and make us slaves. These "groups" or "organizations" are more dangerous than we can comprehend. They are within our government, they are within our communities and they have individuals that are even within our own church, Make no mistake about this, I am not a conspiracy theorist, I am not paranoid, nor am I crazy. This is as real as a hard attack folks. don't take my word for it. I have posted another video on my page with clips from our own modern day prophets speaking of these things which I am worried about. I will make my family aware of these issues as I have been aware of these dangers for some time now. I feel it is important to share tonight, and I am up late and stressed, so this is my release. I love you all and tell you these things in hope that you will take them to heart. Watch the video and listen to my Kennedy speech. need more proof? read the book of Mormon!

-Big Tom