TANNER BLOG

VICKI GETS MAD AT TANNER IN JAPAN 02 - “AT LEAST ONE FAMILY WAS HAPPY THAT DAY”

As I was taking a picture of this beautiful family at a shrine in Kyoto, Vicki began a conversation that unfortunately did not lead to a very happy ending…

Vicki: “I wish we would’ve rented kimonos and gotten the full Kyoto experience.”

Me: “I dunna know, I’m more of a pants man.”

Vicki: “You and your pants can go to hell. Way to ruin the moment.” 

(For the record, I was unaware that we were even in a “moment”)

Me: “Woah little penguin, what’d I do?”

Vicki: “All you do is take pictures and ignore me. We’ll never be happy like that family.”

At this point Vicki’s eyes began to tear up, so I resorted to my classic “go to” line that I’ve used in countless similar situations.

Me: “Don’t be sad.”

And once again, my classic “go to” line let me down. Vicki immediately erupted into a burst of tears. I really need a better “go to” line.

Also, yes, sometimes I call Vicki “little penguin”.

GREAT MOMENTS IN PHOTOSHOP EXCELLENCE 02 - “HAPPY BOBBLEHEAD BIRTHDAY!!!”

So today is my sister Rian’s birthday, and as such I took it upon myself to make my first ever GIF, because, after all, nothing else puts the GIF in GIFT like a GIF!!!

Anyway, my mom took this picture of me and my sister chillin’ on the doorstep of our Wyoming rancher in probably 1983 or 84. We were probably waiting for a lonely tumbleweed to roll by so that we could chase it, as not much else was going on in Wyoming in the early 80s.  

Anyway, happy birthday sis! I sure hope this gif works on your computer.

TUMBLR EXCLUSIVE - “VICKI FINALLY GETS HER OWN COZY WINTER CAP!!!”

After several days of Vicki using and abusing MY cozy winter cap, we finally found her a cozy winter cap to call her own. While obviously not as cozy as MY cozy winter cap, it nevertheless did it’s job. Actually, I take that back, it didn’t do it’s job at all because eventually we had to supplement her cozy winter cap with a pair of cozy winter earmuffs. Good grief, the amount of drama we had with cozy winter caps and cozy winter earmuffs during our brief trip to Japan is unbelievable. I’m not kidding, I could probably write a book about all of our cozy winter cap drama. And poor Vicki’s dad (also pictured above), that guy never had a cozy winter cap, his ears must have been freezing.

NOT SURE WHAT TO WRITE

Of all the photos I took on my recent trip to Japan this is the only one that’s been on my mind since I heard about the earthquake. I remember thinking “Wow, that’s a damn good family, and that dad has a damn cool jacket”. I really hope they are okay.

Also, thank you so much to all of you nice Tumblr folks who have sent me messages asking if Vicki’s family is okay. The answer is yes, they are all alive and well. Thank you.

TUMBLR EXCLUSIVE: “THE YASUOKAS”

Here’s a picture of Vicki, her Dad, her Grandma, and her Aunt. I took this photo at Vicki’s Grandma’s house while attempting to sit “criss cross applesauce” (formerly known by it’s more offensive version, “indian style”) at a traditional Japanese-style table. It was quite painful as I couldn’t even sit criss-cross style when I was in Kindergarten (I seriously am the worlds most un-flexible man). I ultimately ended up having to lay on my belly, it was so embarrassing.

Also, I think “The Yasuokas” needs to be a sitcom of some sort. I’m thinking Family Ties meets Family Matters with a bit of McGyver thrown in. Vicki’s catch phrase would have to be “Oh no you didn’t!!!”, and her Grandma’s catch phrase would have to be “Oh no I just did!!!”, and her Dad’s catch phrase would be “Wha’choo talkin’ bout’ Grandma?”, and her Aunt’s catch phrase would be “Ohhhhhhhh hell no!!!”. Aside from their American catch phrases the rest of the show would be in Japanenese.

PEOPLE OF JAPAN 22 - “GOD I LOVE THE LITTLE ONES”

My title needs a bit of explanation…

I’m not sure how this started, but every time Vicki and I are out and about doing whatever it is that we do and we see a cute little kid I suddenly sing the following phrase to Vicki…

“God I LOVE the little ones”

What’s even stranger is that I’m clearly trying to imitate the lead singer of Modest Mouse every time I sing it, although I can’t tell if it’s supposed to be set to one of his tunes or not. Neither of us can remember how or why this started, it’s quite strange. I literally sing it with the exact same inflection every single time, and somehow it’s heavily influenced by Modest Mouse.

Anyway, if you look closely at this photo you will see the head of a cute little kid popping up from behind a bowl, thus the title.

TWO OLD FOLKS AND A BABY

Vicki and I spent this past weekend on a mini-adventure that involved stops in Philly, Baltimore, and Salisbury, Maryland. I know this may be hard to believe, but in a 48 hour period I had pizza in 3 different states and 4 different cities.

Anyway, here’s a photo of my grandparents holding little man Landon, my sister’s new kid. This is perhaps the most “normal” photo I’ve ever taken.

PEOPLE OF JAPAN 05 - “A PRETTY NICE MOMENT”

I wish I would have gotten this guy’s email address as I think he’d probably like this picture. He really looks genuinely “happy”. 

Note: I’d be happy too if I had a daughter with such awesome hair. Usually one would need a balloon and carpet to achieve that sort of hair style, but not her, she’s got it and she knows how to work it!