Last winter I was driving to work during one of the snowstorms. I took the road that goes around the Costco because the left turn arrow turned red at 53rd south. Rounding the curve in the Blue Explorer I spun out in the middle of the road. This maneuver elicited a round of applause from the construction crew working on the IHC Death Star hospital.
Fast forward to 1 December this year, the first snowstorm of this winter. I left in the morning to get McDonald's breakfast for everyone. As I pulled onto fashion Boulevard I thought to myself, "these tires feel a little splashy." Not 10 seconds later I found myself going straight when the road curved.
I had lots of time to see what was happening and evaluate and react. I just couldn't stop my slide. The car was going to hit the curb sideways and I didn't like that prospect so at the last minute I turned into the curb and went up onto it with the two front tires. Still sliding sideways I took out one of the no parking signs in front of the old Cottonwood Hospital.
The impact with the sign pretty well destroyed the driver side mirror, put a small dent in the driver side door and destroyed an ornamental quasi running board on the driver side. After we had breakfast I took the car to get new tires. A new mirror cost me about $40. I popped most of the dent out. I have yet to purchase the running board thingy.
I guess I need to drive more carefully around Hospitals.
P.S. I recently found out that the same day, same spot, within a half hour another guy in our ward did the same thing, except he hit the curb sideways and did about $6000 damage to his suspension.
20 December 2007
12 December 2007
11 December 2007
30 November 2007
Lillywhite Family Letter Submission for Dec 07 (some duplication with last post)
We had a great time at the River seeing everybody. Thanks Ed and Kim! We would have liked to see Aron and Cheryl, though.
Ailsa loves her adorable Lillywhite/Hoke/Porter cousins and swears she is going to try to get down to Utah County to visit with them from time to time.
We enjoyed the beautiful river and its quieting influence. It was especially nice in the late evening, when the sun is setting down- river and everything gets calm. I caught Ed out there one evening taking it in. We enjoyed sitting and chatting with Wade about the Gospel. Laney enjoyed "fishing" with a hook that was big enough to catch a shark. I enjoyed a couple of swings at golf balls and managed to hit one across the river. (This is from someone who has held a golf club maybe four times and most recently "stroked out" (more than 10 strokes) on a hole on a Golf simulator.I tried setting a new personal best on my bike. I was doing a 10 mile sprint and the goal was to break 23 MPH I only did slightly better than 22. I've done better than that in the summer on a longer ride.
We enjoyed going to see Enchanted with almost all of the family. We enjoyed shooting the guns (Tanner was well behaved and a good shot.) Thanks again Ed for getting our Explorer unstuck! Don't worry about the taillight. I got a new one on eBay for $28.90 and it is already in place. I had a fun time building a retaining wall with Sean and Stuart and Clayton. Well, it was really two retaining lumps. But, it looks real good. We enjoyed watching "She's the Man" with everybody Wednesday night. After that we were hardly to be found during the evenings because the kids tricked us into watching the series "Firefly." And most of all we had some really good food (chocolate pie) and got to see all of the cute nieces and nephews again.
On the way back we stopped briefly at Mountain Meadows just north of Saint George a ways. It was very nice. And of course we stopped in Orem for Krispy Kreme donuts.
Ailsa loves her adorable Lillywhite/Hoke/Porter cousins and swears she is going to try to get down to Utah County to visit with them from time to time.
We enjoyed the beautiful river and its quieting influence. It was especially nice in the late evening, when the sun is setting down- river and everything gets calm. I caught Ed out there one evening taking it in. We enjoyed sitting and chatting with Wade about the Gospel. Laney enjoyed "fishing" with a hook that was big enough to catch a shark. I enjoyed a couple of swings at golf balls and managed to hit one across the river. (This is from someone who has held a golf club maybe four times and most recently "stroked out" (more than 10 strokes) on a hole on a Golf simulator.I tried setting a new personal best on my bike. I was doing a 10 mile sprint and the goal was to break 23 MPH I only did slightly better than 22. I've done better than that in the summer on a longer ride.
We enjoyed going to see Enchanted with almost all of the family. We enjoyed shooting the guns (Tanner was well behaved and a good shot.) Thanks again Ed for getting our Explorer unstuck! Don't worry about the taillight. I got a new one on eBay for $28.90 and it is already in place. I had a fun time building a retaining wall with Sean and Stuart and Clayton. Well, it was really two retaining lumps. But, it looks real good. We enjoyed watching "She's the Man" with everybody Wednesday night. After that we were hardly to be found during the evenings because the kids tricked us into watching the series "Firefly." And most of all we had some really good food (chocolate pie) and got to see all of the cute nieces and nephews again.
On the way back we stopped briefly at Mountain Meadows just north of Saint George a ways. It was very nice. And of course we stopped in Orem for Krispy Kreme donuts.
26 November 2007
Thanksgiving Vacation 2007 - River Trip
Last Tuesday night after Jensen got home from her film class at SLCC, we all loaded into the car and headed to Saint George to begin our Thanksgiving vacation. We arrived in 3:45 driving time. In the morning we drove together most of the way with Grandma and Grandpa and Hanna and Katie in grandpa's car.
We arrived at Hotel Hoke about 2pm. Shortly after arriving I went for a shortish ride on my bike. I had the longer crankset on and the Kneesaver pedal extender device on the right side. It was very hard for me to clip in. I think from walking in the gravel. I should probably not do that again. Almost halfway into my ride the right pedal backed out almost all of the way and unfortunately messed up the threads in the crank. I managed to get it back in using the allen wrench on the end of the pedal.
In the morning I went for a ride also. Just as I was parking the car a man turned hs car around and parked behind me. I could see he was dressed in workout gear and wanted to talk. He gave me his card and invited me to ride with him and some friends. I had been wanting to try a 10 mile TT to see if I could get over 23 MPH. This is what I was trying Thanksgiving morning. I didn't quite make it, could only manage a 22 MPH average. I guess I'm in a lot better shape in the summer.
I helped grandma make the chocolate pies for Thanksgiving and then helped Stuart and Sean build small retaining walls for Ed on either side of some steps coming up from his beach. I felt like Stuart and Sean needed to lead on this project so I just kinda helped out where I could see it needed and tried to anticipate their moves.
Friday morning I met with Mark Paterson and his friends Chad and Dave for a ride out to the Havasu dam and back. We stopped at a very nice little cafe a friend of theirs runs 5 miles outside of town. We rode at a pretty good clip. We were pacing for a while and were doing great. Dave needed us to slow down some and the pacing stopped. These were very nice people to ride with.
After returning we decided to go shooting. I got the Explorer stuck on a rock. So we had Ed come pull us off with his jeep. Unfortunately the Explorer rolled into his Jeep and we broke a taillight. We had lots of fun shooting and I shot a hole in a 12 gauge shotgun shell at 25 yards with the revolver.
The whole family went to the movies that afternoon. We went with those watching Enchanted. Mark Paterson and his wife and daughter were there at the same showing. So they got to meet some more of us. On the way home we got pulled over by the local constabulary on account of the broken taillight. Family passing in other cars were concerned that he might find the firearms that were still in the back of the Explorer. He was very friendly and didn't write me up. I think the two broken pieces of taillight sitting on my bumper helped convince him that my story was true, we had just broken it earlier in the day.
We spent most of our nights with the big kids watching and enjoying immensely "Firefly."
We left town on Saturday right after BYU beat the U in their football game. For some time Lenore has been wanting to visit mountain meadows. So we made a small trip through there on the way home.
For the most part our trip was very enjoyable. We still have problems with Laney getting bored in the car and not knowing what is appropriate behavior for interacting with her older sisters.
Laney "fishing" off the dock. She had a HUGE hook on the line.
20 November 2007
The Smuths (Brogue)
The Joseph Fielding Smith family reunion was on Monday the 12th. It was fairly enjoyable. The last few years they seem to have learned that it is best to keep the meeting to 1 hour. Elder Ballard came in a sat right in front of us next to uncle Spencer. Then when Janet came down after she gave the opening prayer, he moved to the other side of Spencer so she could sit next to her husband. He ended up sitting between Ailsa and Spencer.
The moderator complained that we only ever hang out with and talk to the immediate cousins, so she did that silly new age thing where you take a minute or two to introduce yourself to your neighbor. I took the opportunity to speak briefly with Elder Ballard. He is descended from Edna. I mentioned his Conference talk where he noted that the Ballards were converted by Joseph Kimber in Thatcham England and told him Ailsa had attended Kimber Academy.
Lenore and I were praying that Ailsa wouldn't say anything inappropriate. On our way home we expressed our gratitude to Ailsa that she had behaved herself. She said, "Oh, is that who that was? I thought he looked kinda familiar."
The moderator complained that we only ever hang out with and talk to the immediate cousins, so she did that silly new age thing where you take a minute or two to introduce yourself to your neighbor. I took the opportunity to speak briefly with Elder Ballard. He is descended from Edna. I mentioned his Conference talk where he noted that the Ballards were converted by Joseph Kimber in Thatcham England and told him Ailsa had attended Kimber Academy.
Lenore and I were praying that Ailsa wouldn't say anything inappropriate. On our way home we expressed our gratitude to Ailsa that she had behaved herself. She said, "Oh, is that who that was? I thought he looked kinda familiar."
13 November 2007
Not Oakley Rodeo
We had our annual Bishop's retreat the second weekend in Novemeber. Rather than go to the Sorenson cabin near Oakley, the Stake Presidency put us up in the Marriot Hotel downtown and treated us like kings. We ate lots of good food and spent a very nice night in the Hotel. President Daw and his wife had a wonderful suite on the 15th floor. We ate at the Elevations restaurant twice, had room service for breakfast with their very yummy house granola.
We toured the Church History museum and then the Tabernacle, got to see some areas underground that not many are shown. And, we had a very nice instructional/testimony meeting at the end, right before lunch at the Lion House. Above is a picture from our Hotel room, looking right through where the old mall used to be.
29 October 2007
In Honor of George H.W.
We've had a tree in our backyard since the very beginning that has gotten very large. A couple months ago the power company told us that we needed to trim it away from the power lines.
I borrowed an electric pole trimmer from Brent Gardner and did this on Saturday. I wasn't sure this tool was going to do the job. But, it worked out great. Many of the branches were too thick to have cut any other way. Jensen helped and we mostly cut just lower branches. A secondary motive for doing this was to allow a little more sunlight on the peach tree that is nearby. After we got done the tree looks like a broccoli.
Many of the branches I cut up for firewood. I was planning later on getting a big dumpster or a chipper/shredder to dispose of the smaller branches. They ended up in a pile on the back lawn and it was soon evident what was going to become of these. Jensen and Laney started working on a little hut made from these remainders. It's exactly the kind of thing I would have done when I was young. It will probably be there now through the winter. Jensen said it was a really fun day. She especially liked climbing in the tree to fasten a rope to branches so we could try to keep them falling on our side of the fence.
I borrowed an electric pole trimmer from Brent Gardner and did this on Saturday. I wasn't sure this tool was going to do the job. But, it worked out great. Many of the branches were too thick to have cut any other way. Jensen helped and we mostly cut just lower branches. A secondary motive for doing this was to allow a little more sunlight on the peach tree that is nearby. After we got done the tree looks like a broccoli.
Many of the branches I cut up for firewood. I was planning later on getting a big dumpster or a chipper/shredder to dispose of the smaller branches. They ended up in a pile on the back lawn and it was soon evident what was going to become of these. Jensen and Laney started working on a little hut made from these remainders. It's exactly the kind of thing I would have done when I was young. It will probably be there now through the winter. Jensen said it was a really fun day. She especially liked climbing in the tree to fasten a rope to branches so we could try to keep them falling on our side of the fence.
25 October 2007
Journal Entry Kinda Sorta
Many of you are wondering about Ailsa's writing. Things are kinda on hold for now. She is still writing. But, school eats up a lot of time. Probably needs to focus on one story at a time. That has never been her style. Her latest "Andwyrden" that I was helping her edit, she wants to majorly rework. This after the first three books were in finished form and the fourth was nearly there. I think she feels a little bummed that Stephanie Meyer has stepped into the vampire romance arena before she could have a crack at it.
Jensen is trying to do everything and mostly succeeding. She is the one who brings the most sunshine and the least amount of strife into the household. She and Ailsa get along swimmingly, which we love. But, often Laney feels left out.
I haven't been cycling nearly as much the last couple of weeks. The weather is much colder and it is too dark in the morning to drag myself out of bed. I will occasionally get a ride in during the evening of a weekday and sometimes on Saturdays. But, the last 4 or 5 weekends have been gloomy while the weeks have generally been great. Figures.
I recently changed the first counselor in my Bishopric and the new guy is helping to inject a little but of new vigor into our efforts. I didn't initiate the change. But, now it seems like it was probably a good thing.
Laney is following in her sister's footsteps and is very conscientious about completing all of her school work and not getting into trouble at school. She is growing her hair out so she can donate it to locks of love. It is almost long enough without having to give her a crew cut when she is shorn. I think I'll do the same thing. Do you think the Stake President will mind?
We had the Bishopric over for dinner a couple of weeks ago and Lenore fixed a very yummy meal. Roasted pork and creamed corn and roasted potatoes. She has been reading a lot lately about the Mountain Meadows massacre and the Polygamists. If there is ever any controversy she wants to read about it.
We went as a family to see Transformers last Saturday and enjoyed it a lot. We are all pretty big Shia LeBeouf fans. Did anyone else notice the fairly marked Religious/Conservative memes in this film?
We are all looking forward to Thanksgiving together and enjoying The Hoke's river house. Thanks Kim and Ed!
Jensen is trying to do everything and mostly succeeding. She is the one who brings the most sunshine and the least amount of strife into the household. She and Ailsa get along swimmingly, which we love. But, often Laney feels left out.
I haven't been cycling nearly as much the last couple of weeks. The weather is much colder and it is too dark in the morning to drag myself out of bed. I will occasionally get a ride in during the evening of a weekday and sometimes on Saturdays. But, the last 4 or 5 weekends have been gloomy while the weeks have generally been great. Figures.
I recently changed the first counselor in my Bishopric and the new guy is helping to inject a little but of new vigor into our efforts. I didn't initiate the change. But, now it seems like it was probably a good thing.
Laney is following in her sister's footsteps and is very conscientious about completing all of her school work and not getting into trouble at school. She is growing her hair out so she can donate it to locks of love. It is almost long enough without having to give her a crew cut when she is shorn. I think I'll do the same thing. Do you think the Stake President will mind?
We had the Bishopric over for dinner a couple of weeks ago and Lenore fixed a very yummy meal. Roasted pork and creamed corn and roasted potatoes. She has been reading a lot lately about the Mountain Meadows massacre and the Polygamists. If there is ever any controversy she wants to read about it.
We went as a family to see Transformers last Saturday and enjoyed it a lot. We are all pretty big Shia LeBeouf fans. Did anyone else notice the fairly marked Religious/Conservative memes in this film?
We are all looking forward to Thanksgiving together and enjoying The Hoke's river house. Thanks Kim and Ed!
19 October 2007
Naughtius Maximus Numero Trois
Almost every time I come into the house from the garage, Tommy is waiting there trying to get out. He often succeeds. He probably spends a lot of time outdoors every day. We try to limit his outside play, though, mostly because of the unfortunate episode from his past when he stayed out for about 36 hours and scared everyone.
He's pretty good about coming back though. We often leave the garage door slightly up for him and often find him waiting on top of one of the cars for us to let him in the house.
Nearly once a week he will return from his romp in the neighborhood without his collar. We know he gets into scraps with other cats. I imagine some neighborhood bully cat with a series of cat collars painted on the side of his litter box.
When he was young he would climb the canopy of our bed a lot. At a certain age, or perhaps a certain body size, he stopped doing it. However, now that young Digory is around and climbing the canopy, Tommy has taken to it again. It is funny to see them tightrope walk the rails with their tails whipping around like a propeller.
They will often just perch near a cross member where they can balance more easily with three paws on one axis and a fourth on another. I have fun teasing them when they are in that position. I touch tap them on the fourth, outboard paw. They can't just pick it up because they would lose their balance. They try to swipe at my hand. But, they aren't very well poised to do that either.
A couple of times Digory has jumped from the canopy to the top of the bookcase. The other night he spent most of the night sleeping in a basket on top of the bookcase.
He's pretty good about coming back though. We often leave the garage door slightly up for him and often find him waiting on top of one of the cars for us to let him in the house.
Nearly once a week he will return from his romp in the neighborhood without his collar. We know he gets into scraps with other cats. I imagine some neighborhood bully cat with a series of cat collars painted on the side of his litter box.
When he was young he would climb the canopy of our bed a lot. At a certain age, or perhaps a certain body size, he stopped doing it. However, now that young Digory is around and climbing the canopy, Tommy has taken to it again. It is funny to see them tightrope walk the rails with their tails whipping around like a propeller.
They will often just perch near a cross member where they can balance more easily with three paws on one axis and a fourth on another. I have fun teasing them when they are in that position. I touch tap them on the fourth, outboard paw. They can't just pick it up because they would lose their balance. They try to swipe at my hand. But, they aren't very well poised to do that either.
A couple of times Digory has jumped from the canopy to the top of the bookcase. The other night he spent most of the night sleeping in a basket on top of the bookcase.
16 October 2007
Italian FHE at Young's
Saturday after I had been out and came back home, Lenore told me that Michelle Young had called and said and Italian Saint was here visiting in town and would we like to come over for a Family Home Evening Monday night. Lenore couldn't remember who it was. So, I was a little surprised to arrive monday night and find Giuseppe Pasta. You would think that Lenore could remember the name "Pasta."
We had an enjoyable evening with Brother and Sister Pasta and the Burrups, Ashbys, Bensons and Youngs.
I most likely met Brother Pasta on mymission when I was in Torino, before he moved to near Bergamo.
Brother Pasta told us how things were going in Italy. He has served as the Church Public Relations head for some time. He has previously served as Stake and mission President. Last June he was at Palazzo Chigi for the signing of an agreement that further formalizes the Church's standing in Italy. This is one of the hurdles that needs to be cleared before a Temple can be built there. It still needs to be retified by Parliament. He said that there really aren't enough members attending the Madrid and Swiss temples right now to warrant a temple in Italy. Most of the people who attend the Swiss temple are Italians.
We had an enjoyable evening with Brother and Sister Pasta and the Burrups, Ashbys, Bensons and Youngs.
I most likely met Brother Pasta on mymission when I was in Torino, before he moved to near Bergamo.
Brother Pasta told us how things were going in Italy. He has served as the Church Public Relations head for some time. He has previously served as Stake and mission President. Last June he was at Palazzo Chigi for the signing of an agreement that further formalizes the Church's standing in Italy. This is one of the hurdles that needs to be cleared before a Temple can be built there. It still needs to be retified by Parliament. He said that there really aren't enough members attending the Madrid and Swiss temples right now to warrant a temple in Italy. Most of the people who attend the Swiss temple are Italians.
05 October 2007
29 September 2007
26 September 2007
The Heavyside Layer
You know how our family is with nicknames. The latest for the cats are: Tommy is called "He who must not be tamed." He is the more manly in attitude and demeanor of the two males. He struts around looking very tough. He's always trying to get outside so he can go marauding with his homies. Last week he got out and Jensen tried to lure him back with some catnip (Kitty Crack). He attacked her arm and she has really bad scratches and a bite, scarred for life. Digory's name is evolving to Diggy and then the logical progression of Doggy and now also Snoop Diggy Dogg. Funny thing is I think he is actually tougher when it comes to fighting than Tommy is. But he looks and walks like a bit of a pansy. Here's some fun video of Digory the first time we put a collar on him. He does some really funny dance moves.
29 August 2007
Jordanelle Triathlon
Near the end of July when I was doing all my riding. Barry Miller at work mentioned that he was doing the Jordanelle Triathlon this year. We got to talking and put together an ARB team to compete against him. Darren did the mile swim, I did the 25 mile bike and Tom did the 5.2 mile run.
This was kinda fun. It was held Saturday 25 August and took a big chunk of the day. It was very cold when we got to Francis. I was glad I brought a sweatshirt. There was much standing around waiting for the start. But, I entertained myself chatting with the other Olympic Relay cyclists.
By the time Darren got to the transition after the swim I was the only one in that group left who hadn't started yet. I did manage to pass five of the relay riders on my leg because we came in fifth overall and there wasn't anyone on the run who was significantly faster than Tom. The ride was tough. The route had a slight incline on the way out. They say on a TT that you should hold back a little for the first third or so. But, knowing it was a slight downhill on the way back I felt I should push about as hard as I could. Still, I didn't want to blow up.
I managed to keep my average heart rate quite close to my maximum. I maxed out at 173 and the average was 167 for the whole race and 169 for the first half. There was one rider who I was behind for several miles trying to catch and pass. It was a 56 year old woman. So I gave her some praise and encouragement when I did pass her. I did the ride at a 20.8 mph pace which was second overall for the Men's Olympic Relay. I averaged 24.66 MPH for the second half. Results are here.
The shuttle system after the race was really backed up with a long line. So, I rode my bike back into Francis to get the car. There was one climb on this route that I wasn't looking forward to. Many people were riding back. But, most of them walked their bikes up the hill.
I saw the Buckwalters, Scotty Johnston, and Bishop Workman who was there cheering on a son and son in law. Maybe we will do this next year. I hope to have a TT bike by then.
ITT
After the 1000 mile month in July, I took 2 days off from riding and then on Friday 3 August I did a time trial to see if I could better my best average speed for a 20 mile plus ride. I stayed down in the drops the whole time and tried to concentrate on keeping my shoulders low and using a low cadence. I managed to do the ride in just slightly over one hour and upped my best average speed from 21.8 to 22.3, which seems like a significant increase, meaning I can do better still. I got up to 35.6 mph in a dead sprint while merging into the left turn for Vine Street. Then on the little rise up from the creek near the Church I also sprinted and just about blacked out.
San Clemente Redux
This year at San Clemente was marked with good weather (very little cloudiness) warm water (in the low 70's most of the time) and perhaps a little less noise and confusion around the apartments because of the maturing group of kids.
We stopped in Saint George and stayed with Grandma and Grandpa both on the way there and on the way home. I flew home Saturday the 11th and back early Monday the 13th, so I wouldn't miss three Sundays in a row and so I could attend Tyler Schumann's missionary farewell. I saw Shauna Robbins and her daughters on the way home and Missy's Dave on the way back.
I haven't flown since the increased airline security of a couple of years. Boy, what a hassle. I'm surprised there hasn't been mass revolt.
We were awakened about 7am the first Monday morning with construction going on right next door. We were reminded of our Italian vacation and how the generous landlord dealt with a similar problem.
The first night I was repeatedly awakened by Ameer who was pounding his head on the floor because he couldn't sleep. We fixed that real quick and told him to quit doing it.
Despite some attempts I didn't see Chris or Stuart or Toni this trip. We borrowed Ed's very nice new unused surfboard (10'2" Robert August) and the two boards that we usually borrow from Sean and did as much surfing as possible. I think we might have missed two days. The best day for me was the second Tuesday when we went to "Old Man's." I had a great time and was finally getting the hang of it again. But, I was always sore; my arms and shoulders and my knees. Near the end of each session I could barely push myself up off the board.
I didn't go cycling a ton, only 219 miles and only saw one rabbit. My last ride a guy on a Carbon Kuota TT bike passed me right before the turnaround. I caught up to him. But, every time I went to pass him I couldn't fight the wind. So, I just stayed in his slipstream for about 8-9 miles.
I didn't get called an old man like last year. But, once while I was lying with my eyes closed on the hard sand near the tideline I overheard someone ask, "is he dead?"
There was really only one day where there were some OK bodysurfing waves. Of course, when I picked up the boards from Sean he said, "you should have been here last week."
Laney got braver and braver in the water throughout the stay until she was using the boogie board a little and playing in the smaller waves. On the last day I took her out to where the big people hang out and she had fun with me holding her. I got her into a little trouble with one larger wave though. I tried to get her out past where it would break. But, we didn't make it. So, I tried to throw her over it. She came up sputtering. But, not to much worse for wear.
We ate plenty of Cassano's pizza and soft serve ice cream cones. The kids went to the Spectrum one day and I went with Ailsa and Jensen to see Bourne Ultimatum one night. We have so much fun on this vacation, it makes it hard to leave.
We stopped in Saint George and stayed with Grandma and Grandpa both on the way there and on the way home. I flew home Saturday the 11th and back early Monday the 13th, so I wouldn't miss three Sundays in a row and so I could attend Tyler Schumann's missionary farewell. I saw Shauna Robbins and her daughters on the way home and Missy's Dave on the way back.
I haven't flown since the increased airline security of a couple of years. Boy, what a hassle. I'm surprised there hasn't been mass revolt.
We were awakened about 7am the first Monday morning with construction going on right next door. We were reminded of our Italian vacation and how the generous landlord dealt with a similar problem.
The first night I was repeatedly awakened by Ameer who was pounding his head on the floor because he couldn't sleep. We fixed that real quick and told him to quit doing it.
Despite some attempts I didn't see Chris or Stuart or Toni this trip. We borrowed Ed's very nice new unused surfboard (10'2" Robert August) and the two boards that we usually borrow from Sean and did as much surfing as possible. I think we might have missed two days. The best day for me was the second Tuesday when we went to "Old Man's." I had a great time and was finally getting the hang of it again. But, I was always sore; my arms and shoulders and my knees. Near the end of each session I could barely push myself up off the board.
I didn't go cycling a ton, only 219 miles and only saw one rabbit. My last ride a guy on a Carbon Kuota TT bike passed me right before the turnaround. I caught up to him. But, every time I went to pass him I couldn't fight the wind. So, I just stayed in his slipstream for about 8-9 miles.
I didn't get called an old man like last year. But, once while I was lying with my eyes closed on the hard sand near the tideline I overheard someone ask, "is he dead?"
There was really only one day where there were some OK bodysurfing waves. Of course, when I picked up the boards from Sean he said, "you should have been here last week."
Laney got braver and braver in the water throughout the stay until she was using the boogie board a little and playing in the smaller waves. On the last day I took her out to where the big people hang out and she had fun with me holding her. I got her into a little trouble with one larger wave though. I tried to get her out past where it would break. But, we didn't make it. So, I tried to throw her over it. She came up sputtering. But, not to much worse for wear.
We ate plenty of Cassano's pizza and soft serve ice cream cones. The kids went to the Spectrum one day and I went with Ailsa and Jensen to see Bourne Ultimatum one night. We have so much fun on this vacation, it makes it hard to leave.
20 August 2007
02 August 2007
Mini Toor day Frants (Tour de Todd)
This was a chemical free event. Not a dope free event.
In slightly under 52 hours of riding time I rode 1000 miles during the month of July.
At the beginning of the year on BikeJournal.com someone started a thread about stating your goals out loud. So, I chimed in and said I would do 1000 miles in July. As I got closer to the month I came to realize that it wouldn't be so easy.
Some of the obstacles I had to overcome:
Hottest July on record for Salt Lake Area with an average temperature of 84 degrees. This wouldn't be a big deal. But, our AC at home went out for a couple of days.
Breaking in a new saddle. Actually I had it about 2 weeks before the beginning of the month. But, when I started to ride longer distances, I began to experience some soreness. I took a couple days off and then I was pretty good.
During this time I thought my chances of meeting the goal were next to nil. I only did about 130 miles the second week. But then that second Saturday I rode in the evening and realized I could maybe still make it.
We finally figured out a sleep disorder that I have been dealing with really for years. It kinda came to a head and I couldn't get to sleep early enough to wake up early enough. I got some medication to help me sleep. Then, the problem was I didn't want to get up in the morning. After some experimentation, I am taking half a dose half as often as the Doctor said and it seems to be working great.
Had to fit in two overnight campouts.
We had bad air quality because of rampant wildfires in the State. This bothered my throat for a couple of days.
We had several episodes of season four of "24" we had to watch.
I managed to steer clear of all the thundershowers.
My knee gave me almost no trouble, which is very untypical when I increase my mileage.
At the end I was ranked 909 in BikeJournal.com for my overall mileage. I probably won't stay there.
I expected my average speed to suffer quite a lot because it usually does when I increase my riding. I kept it up though and did the whole month over 19 mph average and slightly higher than all of my solo miles last year.
It was probably a good thing to do since I was kind of aimless and lackadaisical about my riding in June.
But, I probably won't be doing this again anytime soon.
In slightly under 52 hours of riding time I rode 1000 miles during the month of July.
At the beginning of the year on BikeJournal.com someone started a thread about stating your goals out loud. So, I chimed in and said I would do 1000 miles in July. As I got closer to the month I came to realize that it wouldn't be so easy.
Some of the obstacles I had to overcome:
Hottest July on record for Salt Lake Area with an average temperature of 84 degrees. This wouldn't be a big deal. But, our AC at home went out for a couple of days.
Breaking in a new saddle. Actually I had it about 2 weeks before the beginning of the month. But, when I started to ride longer distances, I began to experience some soreness. I took a couple days off and then I was pretty good.
During this time I thought my chances of meeting the goal were next to nil. I only did about 130 miles the second week. But then that second Saturday I rode in the evening and realized I could maybe still make it.
We finally figured out a sleep disorder that I have been dealing with really for years. It kinda came to a head and I couldn't get to sleep early enough to wake up early enough. I got some medication to help me sleep. Then, the problem was I didn't want to get up in the morning. After some experimentation, I am taking half a dose half as often as the Doctor said and it seems to be working great.
Had to fit in two overnight campouts.
We had bad air quality because of rampant wildfires in the State. This bothered my throat for a couple of days.
We had several episodes of season four of "24" we had to watch.
I managed to steer clear of all the thundershowers.
My knee gave me almost no trouble, which is very untypical when I increase my mileage.
At the end I was ranked 909 in BikeJournal.com for my overall mileage. I probably won't stay there.
I expected my average speed to suffer quite a lot because it usually does when I increase my riding. I kept it up though and did the whole month over 19 mph average and slightly higher than all of my solo miles last year.
It was probably a good thing to do since I was kind of aimless and lackadaisical about my riding in June.
But, I probably won't be doing this again anytime soon.
25 July 2007
For the Lillywhite Family Letter
Laney is turning into a real fish. In the Spring you couldn't get her to consider swimming lessons. Now, she doesn't need them. I think she will have a great time at the beach in San Clemente. Jensen is struggling through the classes she has to take to finish with her AA degree by next year. Both she and Ailsa have devoured the Harry Potter book. Ailsa had it read in 48 hours. They have also seen the new movie 3 times. We will see it soon. Ailsa has mono and is certain she is dying of cancer. Her publisher (a little mom and pop operation) folded so she has no deal cooking on any of her books. But, we think we have a good lead on a publisher through one of Lenore's cousins. Lenore is feverishly reading the latest Mountain Meadows Massacre book. I tell her she really needs to counsel with her Bishop about reading that stuff. I'm 750 miles into a 1000 mile month on my bike. Looks like I will make it.
12 July 2007
Ailsa and Lane at Hotel Hoke on the Colorado River
The girls are safely back from Parker, AZ. They skirted the Milford Flat fire on Sunday during a short opening of I-15. They had a great time and are none the worse for the wear.
06 July 2007
We weren't able to go to the River to stay at Kim's house near Parker this July. I don't have a lot of vacation time to spare and Jensen is taking a class that she can't miss. But, Ailsa and Lane went.
We were a little apprehensive about Ailsa driving with Kiddo. But, from Spanish Fork to Saint George she caravaned with the Porters and then from Saint George they drove with the Grandparents in their car. On the way back from Saint George she and Laney will be alone, I think. It was a little hard to get over the anxiety of letting them go and questioning their safety. But, all reports are that they are having a great time and Laney is behaving herself.
I've been trying to ride 1000 miles this month on the bike. But, as of today I am behind. On the 4th I rode 60 miles and it wasn't too bad. After the last turn home around the RR tracks in Draper I saw a couple of riders up ahead of me and set out to catch them. The first rider wasn't too hard to overtake. But, I didn't catch up with the second rider for about 4 miles. And it was a girl. We were going around 24 MPH. I fell in behind her for a while and then passed her. But, she kept me close. Then we got stopped at a light. Same thing, I fell in behind and then tried to pass her and it took forever. Finally, she turned on "Creek" road.
Later in the afternoon we went to Leslie's to swim in the pool. Right before dinner I was really enjoying just lying on the floaty mat and soaking in the Sun. It was wonderful. I could have fallen asleep.
We were a little apprehensive about Ailsa driving with Kiddo. But, from Spanish Fork to Saint George she caravaned with the Porters and then from Saint George they drove with the Grandparents in their car. On the way back from Saint George she and Laney will be alone, I think. It was a little hard to get over the anxiety of letting them go and questioning their safety. But, all reports are that they are having a great time and Laney is behaving herself.
I've been trying to ride 1000 miles this month on the bike. But, as of today I am behind. On the 4th I rode 60 miles and it wasn't too bad. After the last turn home around the RR tracks in Draper I saw a couple of riders up ahead of me and set out to catch them. The first rider wasn't too hard to overtake. But, I didn't catch up with the second rider for about 4 miles. And it was a girl. We were going around 24 MPH. I fell in behind her for a while and then passed her. But, she kept me close. Then we got stopped at a light. Same thing, I fell in behind and then tried to pass her and it took forever. Finally, she turned on "Creek" road.
Later in the afternoon we went to Leslie's to swim in the pool. Right before dinner I was really enjoying just lying on the floaty mat and soaking in the Sun. It was wonderful. I could have fallen asleep.
03 July 2007
Wednesday Last
Last week we had a lot of things going on. Tuesday night was the wedding dinner for Kathy Pedersen and Cyrus Hanks. Kathy is a sweet girl from a very nice family. We would like to get more activity out of her parents. But, thankfully they have gotten her off to a good start in life. Her husband's family is very strong and nice. The dinner was wonderful.
On Wednesday noon Kathy and Cyrus were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple. The sealer was GA Emeritus Philip Sonntag. He was a bit of a cut up. He said he married his wife 10 days after he got home from his mission and it was the worst decision of his life.... He should have married her 9 days earlier.
I am told that they routinely admonish the Sealers at the Temple to keep their remarks to 20 minutes or so because of backlog on the sealing rooms. I think Brother Sonntag took about 50 minutes.
Cyrus' family lives in Sandy a little further East than the Smiths. Their Bishop is Bruce Lindsay, local TV anchorman and personality. We got to meet him a chat a little while at the Temple.
On Wednesday noon Kathy and Cyrus were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple. The sealer was GA Emeritus Philip Sonntag. He was a bit of a cut up. He said he married his wife 10 days after he got home from his mission and it was the worst decision of his life.... He should have married her 9 days earlier.
I am told that they routinely admonish the Sealers at the Temple to keep their remarks to 20 minutes or so because of backlog on the sealing rooms. I think Brother Sonntag took about 50 minutes.
Cyrus' family lives in Sandy a little further East than the Smiths. Their Bishop is Bruce Lindsay, local TV anchorman and personality. We got to meet him a chat a little while at the Temple.
29 June 2007
Morendo Jusqu'à la Fin
Ailsa and Jensen had a piano recital last night. It was very nice. Thankfully it wasn't very long. Malena Moore's sister also had her students there. They were all very young except for my kids. I was a little surprised that one of the students played "chopsticks." She also played another more complicated and less plebeian piece that proved she was capable of more.
Jensen played an original composition and Edvard Grieg's 2nd piano concerto (I think). She did very well. Right as she was beginning the Grieg number she started on the wrong notes. Ala Napoleon Dynamite she muttered "dangit" under her breath and started over on the right notes.
Ailsa played the first two movements of Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata." She says she considered going on and on with the first several bars as Victor Borge would do. She did very well and puts a lot of emotion and dynamic into the piece. It's such a nice number. I have to admit that I don't recall hearing the second movement much. But, I like it a lot. Makes me think of an "art" song such as I sang when I was taking voice lessons.
Malena then played the third movement of the Sonata. It was also very lovely. What a workout!
Jensen played an original composition and Edvard Grieg's 2nd piano concerto (I think). She did very well. Right as she was beginning the Grieg number she started on the wrong notes. Ala Napoleon Dynamite she muttered "dangit" under her breath and started over on the right notes.
Ailsa played the first two movements of Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata." She says she considered going on and on with the first several bars as Victor Borge would do. She did very well and puts a lot of emotion and dynamic into the piece. It's such a nice number. I have to admit that I don't recall hearing the second movement much. But, I like it a lot. Makes me think of an "art" song such as I sang when I was taking voice lessons.
Malena then played the third movement of the Sonata. It was also very lovely. What a workout!
22 June 2007
Stake Girls Camp
We have a really nice Stake camping property located east of I-80 just opposite of Rockport lake. The young women in the Stake just got done with a four day "rough" camp and the Bishopric was invited to attend last night.
As you can see from the picture of Jensen, the girls can be pretty silly. Nothing like Boy Scouts. I think everyone needs to get out into nature once in a while to correct their perspective.
Besides, it's fun to play with a camp fire and roast marshmallows.
As you can see from the picture of Jensen, the girls can be pretty silly. Nothing like Boy Scouts. I think everyone needs to get out into nature once in a while to correct their perspective.
Besides, it's fun to play with a camp fire and roast marshmallows.
09 June 2007
26 May 2007
19 May 2007
Rachel Serna Sealing
On Cinco de Mayo we went to the Salt Lake Temple in the morning for the sealing of Raquel (Rachel) Serna to Merlin....?
Rachel was sent on a mission from our ward. She and her sister joined the Church shortly before I was put in as Bishop and moved here from McAllen Texas. Her sister struggled some with the Gospel.
We were happy to nurse Rachel along and onto a mission. She was great. Her return was only last December.
The sealing was very nice. I recognized many who were likely missionary companions. One of the Elders who taught and baptized her was there and it was sweet to see the joy in their embrace.
Both Lenore and I were very moved by the Spirit when we greeted her after the Ceremony.
We also went to the party that evening. Thank goodness for mobile Google maps because it was in North Salt Lake (not SLC as we assumed) which is really south Bountiful. We wouldn't have found it without my palm.
There was lots of Mexican ranchero music and somewhat ethnic food, which was quite yummy.
Rachel was sent on a mission from our ward. She and her sister joined the Church shortly before I was put in as Bishop and moved here from McAllen Texas. Her sister struggled some with the Gospel.
We were happy to nurse Rachel along and onto a mission. She was great. Her return was only last December.
The sealing was very nice. I recognized many who were likely missionary companions. One of the Elders who taught and baptized her was there and it was sweet to see the joy in their embrace.
Both Lenore and I were very moved by the Spirit when we greeted her after the Ceremony.
We also went to the party that evening. Thank goodness for mobile Google maps because it was in North Salt Lake (not SLC as we assumed) which is really south Bountiful. We wouldn't have found it without my palm.
There was lots of Mexican ranchero music and somewhat ethnic food, which was quite yummy.
11 May 2007
Rubeus Hagrid - The Cat
Is on her last legs. She was actually named after a Donald Fagen song, Ruby Baby. she is about 15 years old. I guess the timing of Digory's arrival was fortuitous.
Her sister and litter mate, Maxine died almost two years ago. Ruby was fat, but for the last couple of years has only weighed about 3 ounces.
She had a stroke last night and can't move around well at all.
When I came home after a meeting last night Lane mentioned that she asked mommy if her nose was running. She intimated that she actually knew Lenore was crying. But, "it's not polite to ask if someone is crying." She seems to be getting a lot of exposure to impolite questions from one of her classmates.
09 May 2007
08 May 2007
DDR - Dance Dance Revolution
We went to Lane's semiannual dance-a-palooza last night. Sometimes these are fun. Fortunately, they keep them to around and hour.
My comment dovetails into the standing ovation and three curtain calls at the Wilberg Requiem the other night and the behavior of the crowd at the Sean Hannity and Rocky Anderson debate last Friday.
Utahns don't know how to behave in an audience. At the debate people were constantly yelling things from the audience.
Last night, same thing. They cheer on their dear little Johnny or Susie like they were at a basketball game and hoot at every chance. I'm sorry, the performance isn't about you or your little kid. They cheer wildly and fawn on their kids as if they just won an Olympic Gold Medal. These are the same people who wouldn't know the difference between a William Hung and a Kelly Clarkson.
I'm afraid Ailsa bore the brunt of it. The most vocal and loudest fan was seated right behind her. Too much wooting. Too much people.
My comment dovetails into the standing ovation and three curtain calls at the Wilberg Requiem the other night and the behavior of the crowd at the Sean Hannity and Rocky Anderson debate last Friday.
Utahns don't know how to behave in an audience. At the debate people were constantly yelling things from the audience.
Last night, same thing. They cheer on their dear little Johnny or Susie like they were at a basketball game and hoot at every chance. I'm sorry, the performance isn't about you or your little kid. They cheer wildly and fawn on their kids as if they just won an Olympic Gold Medal. These are the same people who wouldn't know the difference between a William Hung and a Kelly Clarkson.
I'm afraid Ailsa bore the brunt of it. The most vocal and loudest fan was seated right behind her. Too much wooting. Too much people.
05 May 2007
Happy Wanderers
Val-deri,Val-dera,Val-deri,Val-dera-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha
Just some final notes on our most recent trip to California.
The car, although aging, performed wonderfully. Through the years we have enjoyed a lot of good Kharma with our cars (Carma?)
Lenore kept us entertained a lot with input from the Mad Board, Mormon Apologetics and Discussion Board. Two main topics absorbed our time, differences (degree of leniency) between Bishops in dealing with repentance of members and the Word of Wisdom as a Covenant. This last one was a Red Herring. The Board members should have been smart and stopped it in the bud. They allowed the person posing the question to establish incorrect definitions without challenging her on it.
I managed to get in one short bike ride in Saint George on my Dad's bike. I went down River Road past the AZ State line a couple of miles. The road turns to dirt after the border so it's really not the best ride.
The family was really great and for the most part got along very well. Laney managed to barf again just as we were arriving into Barstow. We gave her some Dramamine. But, Ailsa accused her of palming it because it didn't put her to sleep.
Of course, we stopped at In-N-Out in Barstow both ways.
Lenore and I sang with cousin Beth at the Orange III ward on Sunday 22 April. We sang Sally DeFord's arrangement of "Prayer is the Soul's Sincere Desire." It went very well, and it was good to see some of the old timers. Saw Paul Snow and Cindy Baron Cowdell.
I didn't forget to take my Beta Blockers and used them for the Wedding Ceremony (I was quite nervous) and the song.
We had to make it back home Monday night in time to watch Heroes since it was the first new episode in about a month.
We stopped in Orem for Krispy Kreme donuts because Ailsa has a 2 for 1 (dozen) card.
Just some final notes on our most recent trip to California.
The car, although aging, performed wonderfully. Through the years we have enjoyed a lot of good Kharma with our cars (Carma?)
Lenore kept us entertained a lot with input from the Mad Board, Mormon Apologetics and Discussion Board. Two main topics absorbed our time, differences (degree of leniency) between Bishops in dealing with repentance of members and the Word of Wisdom as a Covenant. This last one was a Red Herring. The Board members should have been smart and stopped it in the bud. They allowed the person posing the question to establish incorrect definitions without challenging her on it.
I managed to get in one short bike ride in Saint George on my Dad's bike. I went down River Road past the AZ State line a couple of miles. The road turns to dirt after the border so it's really not the best ride.
The family was really great and for the most part got along very well. Laney managed to barf again just as we were arriving into Barstow. We gave her some Dramamine. But, Ailsa accused her of palming it because it didn't put her to sleep.
Of course, we stopped at In-N-Out in Barstow both ways.
Lenore and I sang with cousin Beth at the Orange III ward on Sunday 22 April. We sang Sally DeFord's arrangement of "Prayer is the Soul's Sincere Desire." It went very well, and it was good to see some of the old timers. Saw Paul Snow and Cindy Baron Cowdell.
I didn't forget to take my Beta Blockers and used them for the Wedding Ceremony (I was quite nervous) and the song.
We had to make it back home Monday night in time to watch Heroes since it was the first new episode in about a month.
We stopped in Orem for Krispy Kreme donuts because Ailsa has a 2 for 1 (dozen) card.
02 May 2007
Yo Gabba Gabba
While we were at Disneyland, Christian was filming with Elijah Wood. Again, Ailsa and Jensen had to be restrained.
I suggested that at least once he should have told him, "I made a promise, Mr. Frodo!"
I suggested that at least once he should have told him, "I made a promise, Mr. Frodo!"
01 May 2007
Flammis Acribus Addictis
We went to the newly refurbished Tabernacle Saturday evening at the invitation of ScaryEllen to see performances of the Mozart Requiem and the new Wilburg Requiem. It was very nice. Everyone needs to go to a live performance once in a while to remember how much better they are than recordings.
Now, I'm a pretty big fan of Mack Wilburg and he is very talented. But, I didn't love his Requiem. I did like the main orchestral theme and the haunting music of the "O Nata Lux." I might add that these were some of the things people I talked to liked the least. I didn't go for the one movement that was mainly Baritone solo. I think it was the 23rd Psalm movement. I found it very recitative sounding, without a musical line. If it was the 23rd Psalm movement, that is unfortunate because Mack Wilburg did a lovely arrangment of "My Savior Will Supply My Need" that is way better.
True to form the Utah audience had to give standing ovations at the drop of a hat and three curtain calls for Mack and Craig Jessop.
Harbor and Katella
We had been planning on visiting Disneyland (the Happiest Place on Earth) on Friday 20 April while we were in California for Elizabeth's wedding. As the day approached it was looking more and more like it would be a rainy day. Lenore was very pleased with the very nice weather in CA when we arrived Thursday afternoon, and justifiably disappointed when we awoke in the morning to rain.
Not to despair, We had been to the Magic place once before when it was drizzly and it was a great time because mainly only the die-hards go to the park when it is rainy. This time didn't disappoint either.
We had tried to find our stash of ponchos before leaving home. But, no such luck. Ed was able to turn up a couple of raincoats for me and Lenore. He was sure he had about 15-20 ponchos in his attic (probably emblazoned with the Steelers logo). But, he couldn't find them. We stopped at Target in FV and picked up a couple of $1.00 ponchos for the big kids and a nicer smaller (but still almost too big) poncho for Laney, and a couple of hats.
The park was only mildly populated and most lines were quite short. Seriously, we spent more time in line at a Churro cart than we did for the last two times on Pirates and the last time on Haunted Mansion, combined!!! They should have vendors like at baseball games throwing those things to grateful customers. There is a really big demand for them. That's one of the treats we look forward to when going to D-land.
There was one 20 minute or so period where it was really raining too hard. We went on the Jungle Cruise and Jensen was sitting right next to one of the poles supporting the tarp and water was just draining onto her head. Unfortunately, we couldn't hear most of the lame jokes the guide was saying. After that, still in the downpour, we went to Big Thunder Mountain.
Ever since the first time I rode on Pirates of the Caribbean, I've wanted to eat in the Blue Bayou restaurant. It has been a childhood dream of Lenore's too. A month ago Ailsa called and made a reservation. We had a great time with wonderful food. The kids went Cajun with Gumbo and Jambalaya. Lenore and I had the best short ribs ever. Laney was having difficulty eating because of a loose tooth. So, I pulled it out right there in the restaurant. Later I thought we should have made a wish and tossed it into the lagoon.
While waiting in line at the Matterhorn I overheard a DSA (Disneyland Service Announcement) that went something like: "Due to inclement weather the Electric parade has been cancelled. We invite you instead to enjoy Mickey's Rainy Day Cavalcade!!!!" I envisioned a techie placing a cd in a player somewhere in the bowels of the park and putting it on endless repeat.
Jensen finally got to go on the Indiana Jones ride. Every time in the past when she has tried to go, it was broken down. This ride is actually quite fun, and if you notice it seems like it takes up a huge area. We weren't sure that Laney could go on it. She didn't seem like she was quite tall enough. But we puffed up the hood of her poncho and no one seemed to care. She thought is was great. Later in the day we tried to go again. The lady at the beginning of the line checked her height and let her in line. Later, right before boarding the jeeps, another worker pulled her out of line and checked her height. She was about 1/4 inch too short and he wouldn't let her on. This made her cry. We called him a height Nazi. I made that last part up. I went with Ailsa and Jensen, and Laney recovered from the anxiety and embarrassment soon enough. We should have had her wear slightly taller shoes.
I had to leave the park for a little while in the evening for the wedding rehearsal. But, we connected up again and stayed there until about 10:30 when we were mostly beat.
The fireworks show was very fun and beautiful. Interesting shapes of explosions, like hearts and cubes.
A couple of notes. There is a racket of renting wheelchairs and motorized (little weasel) wheelchairs for those feigning handicaps and too delicate to be on their feet all day. And lo and behold there is an upside for such people. They get to go right to the head of the line without a fastpass . I did actually see two women who obviously needed wheelchairs. But, they were the kind you propel with your hands. I'd like to have the wheelchair concession at Disneyland.
Pirates has a couple of updates. They play some of the soundtrack music from the movie. They've added Captain Jack Sparrow in three places. The first mannequin is extremely lifelike. We had to restrain Ailsa and Jensen. Right before you enter the lagoon with the sea battle, they have added an oilcracker screen that you ride through and they project a video image of Davey Jones on the smoke. It is pretty cool.
Not to despair, We had been to the Magic place once before when it was drizzly and it was a great time because mainly only the die-hards go to the park when it is rainy. This time didn't disappoint either.
We had tried to find our stash of ponchos before leaving home. But, no such luck. Ed was able to turn up a couple of raincoats for me and Lenore. He was sure he had about 15-20 ponchos in his attic (probably emblazoned with the Steelers logo). But, he couldn't find them. We stopped at Target in FV and picked up a couple of $1.00 ponchos for the big kids and a nicer smaller (but still almost too big) poncho for Laney, and a couple of hats.
The park was only mildly populated and most lines were quite short. Seriously, we spent more time in line at a Churro cart than we did for the last two times on Pirates and the last time on Haunted Mansion, combined!!! They should have vendors like at baseball games throwing those things to grateful customers. There is a really big demand for them. That's one of the treats we look forward to when going to D-land.
There was one 20 minute or so period where it was really raining too hard. We went on the Jungle Cruise and Jensen was sitting right next to one of the poles supporting the tarp and water was just draining onto her head. Unfortunately, we couldn't hear most of the lame jokes the guide was saying. After that, still in the downpour, we went to Big Thunder Mountain.
Ever since the first time I rode on Pirates of the Caribbean, I've wanted to eat in the Blue Bayou restaurant. It has been a childhood dream of Lenore's too. A month ago Ailsa called and made a reservation. We had a great time with wonderful food. The kids went Cajun with Gumbo and Jambalaya. Lenore and I had the best short ribs ever. Laney was having difficulty eating because of a loose tooth. So, I pulled it out right there in the restaurant. Later I thought we should have made a wish and tossed it into the lagoon.
While waiting in line at the Matterhorn I overheard a DSA (Disneyland Service Announcement) that went something like: "Due to inclement weather the Electric parade has been cancelled. We invite you instead to enjoy Mickey's Rainy Day Cavalcade!!!!" I envisioned a techie placing a cd in a player somewhere in the bowels of the park and putting it on endless repeat.
Jensen finally got to go on the Indiana Jones ride. Every time in the past when she has tried to go, it was broken down. This ride is actually quite fun, and if you notice it seems like it takes up a huge area. We weren't sure that Laney could go on it. She didn't seem like she was quite tall enough. But we puffed up the hood of her poncho and no one seemed to care. She thought is was great. Later in the day we tried to go again. The lady at the beginning of the line checked her height and let her in line. Later, right before boarding the jeeps, another worker pulled her out of line and checked her height. She was about 1/4 inch too short and he wouldn't let her on. This made her cry. We called him a height Nazi. I made that last part up. I went with Ailsa and Jensen, and Laney recovered from the anxiety and embarrassment soon enough. We should have had her wear slightly taller shoes.
I had to leave the park for a little while in the evening for the wedding rehearsal. But, we connected up again and stayed there until about 10:30 when we were mostly beat.
The fireworks show was very fun and beautiful. Interesting shapes of explosions, like hearts and cubes.
A couple of notes. There is a racket of renting wheelchairs and motorized (little weasel) wheelchairs for those feigning handicaps and too delicate to be on their feet all day. And lo and behold there is an upside for such people. They get to go right to the head of the line without a fastpass . I did actually see two women who obviously needed wheelchairs. But, they were the kind you propel with your hands. I'd like to have the wheelchair concession at Disneyland.
Pirates has a couple of updates. They play some of the soundtrack music from the movie. They've added Captain Jack Sparrow in three places. The first mannequin is extremely lifelike. We had to restrain Ailsa and Jensen. Right before you enter the lagoon with the sea battle, they have added an oilcracker screen that you ride through and they project a video image of Davey Jones on the smoke. It is pretty cool.
Digory - New Kitty
Tommy is not so sure about him yet. But, just look at him, how cute! We think he doesn't look very cat-like, more like a cross between King Juilan and a Red Panda.
Fountain Valley
In California we stayed at Kim and Ed's new House. It was elegant. Darrell is somewhat disappointed that I didn't take video of it. It didn't even cross my mind. The house has a basement (very unusual for California) and then two 15 foot(?) levels with a very ample attic. Besides the normal sized garage for Kim's car there is a gargantuan two bay 30 foot high (on one side) garage for Ed's stuff.
The main floor has two suites for guests. The upper floor also has two suites (Katy's and Shaun's) and the master bedroom. Ailsa and Jensen slept in the sewing room. Ed has a large office and Hoke Depot storage upstairs as well.
I understand that Ed has had this parcel of land for a while. He and his partner developed it with five homes. They each kept one and sold the remaining three for somewhere over $4 million.
Ed has a "farm" in the back as well as a "ranch" and a sort of BBQ pit that also doubles as a nifty wading/relaxing pool, easily filled in about 45 minutes and then drained when not in use.
Many people who live in the area are from Viet Nam. A couple who was considering buying the house across the cul de sac from Ed and Kim had their Feng Shui master look at it first. He did not recommend it because their view is dominated by the imposing Hoke house. They left the home for someone else to purchase.
California is an amazing place. There is so much affluence and wealth and people. The entrepreneurial spirit thrives. The Hoke's next door neighbor has an ethnic grocery store. Their delivery van is plastered with advertising for breast augmentation surgery. Thankfully, the "graphics" are not too racy.
The main floor has two suites for guests. The upper floor also has two suites (Katy's and Shaun's) and the master bedroom. Ailsa and Jensen slept in the sewing room. Ed has a large office and Hoke Depot storage upstairs as well.
I understand that Ed has had this parcel of land for a while. He and his partner developed it with five homes. They each kept one and sold the remaining three for somewhere over $4 million.
Ed has a "farm" in the back as well as a "ranch" and a sort of BBQ pit that also doubles as a nifty wading/relaxing pool, easily filled in about 45 minutes and then drained when not in use.
Many people who live in the area are from Viet Nam. A couple who was considering buying the house across the cul de sac from Ed and Kim had their Feng Shui master look at it first. He did not recommend it because their view is dominated by the imposing Hoke house. They left the home for someone else to purchase.
California is an amazing place. There is so much affluence and wealth and people. The entrepreneurial spirit thrives. The Hoke's next door neighbor has an ethnic grocery store. Their delivery van is plastered with advertising for breast augmentation surgery. Thankfully, the "graphics" are not too racy.
Elizabeth's Wedding
We went down to California the long weekend of 19-23 April for my niece Elizabeth's wedding. We had a great time and did lots.
Elizabeth was married in a Civil ceremony at which I officiated at the Tustin Hills Racquet Club to David Gerns on 21 April. It was a very nice day. The ceremony was originally planned for the field outside. But, rains on Friday made the grass too soggy. So, it was performed on the patio just outside the reception hall.
Wade and the spouses wrote a talk for me to give that was very nice. You can read it here.
We had fun visiting with all of the Rozsa kids who were there. Danny Rozsa was not able to attend. I also visited with David Cluff. He insists that my present job is just a cover for my secret work for the Government.
It was fun to see Sean, and Aron came with Sheryl, who we met for the first time.
David and Kathy Cluff's oldest daughter sang a song for the couple's first dance and did a great job. She was dressed rather late 60's and Lenore mused if "Lulu" from "To Sir With Love" was performing for us.
Elizabeth was married in a Civil ceremony at which I officiated at the Tustin Hills Racquet Club to David Gerns on 21 April. It was a very nice day. The ceremony was originally planned for the field outside. But, rains on Friday made the grass too soggy. So, it was performed on the patio just outside the reception hall.
Wade and the spouses wrote a talk for me to give that was very nice. You can read it here.
We had fun visiting with all of the Rozsa kids who were there. Danny Rozsa was not able to attend. I also visited with David Cluff. He insists that my present job is just a cover for my secret work for the Government.
It was fun to see Sean, and Aron came with Sheryl, who we met for the first time.
David and Kathy Cluff's oldest daughter sang a song for the couple's first dance and did a great job. She was dressed rather late 60's and Lenore mused if "Lulu" from "To Sir With Love" was performing for us.
30 April 2007
MacArthur Maze Conspiracy
Truck Crash and fire collapses main freeway artery in Oakland.
I think the real news story here is the conspiracy. We all know that jet fuel, ...er gasoline can't burn hot enough to melt steel. There must be an insidious Bush/Rove/Cheney plot to increase their stranglehold on our rights and fatten their wallets with the contracts to rebuild Oakland. I hear that seismic records show an explosion at the time of the accident that couldn't have come from the tanker.
I think the real news story here is the conspiracy. We all know that jet fuel, ...er gasoline can't burn hot enough to melt steel. There must be an insidious Bush/Rove/Cheney plot to increase their stranglehold on our rights and fatten their wallets with the contracts to rebuild Oakland. I hear that seismic records show an explosion at the time of the accident that couldn't have come from the tanker.
19 April 2007
Overcoming PC Color Blinders
We went to the Temple last night along with several people from the ward. As I was walking through the lobby a very pretty black sister came out of the "women's" area and needed to communicate something to her husband who was in the "men's" area. So she asked me if I could try to find him. She described him as medium height with very closely cropped hair and his name was Mike. Now I could just march in there and start asking for "Mike." But, there was a very large 600 pound elephant in the room nobody was acknowledging. After a pregnant pause I asked her, "...and is he black?" She confirmed that he was. Now armed with this information I knew I would have no trouble at all identifying her husband in the midst of largley white-bread Mormon America.
12 April 2007
Hello Dahly
We had dinner last Saturday at the Smiths because Rashid and Humera and kids were there visiting the Mughals. Now, I don't automatically go in for Pakistani food. But, it can at least be an adventure. I thought it might clear out my cold. No such luck.
Joan had some tasty brie and wasa-like flatbread to put it on as well as chips and guacamole.
Laney is usually too busy playing with the kids in the cul de sac to get serious about eating until shortly before we want to leave. Lenore was "helping" her with her dinner and gave her a piece of the flatbread. Laney chewed it awhile and then pronounced,"it tastes like I'm eating a decoration." I had no idea she was so well versed in the consumption of ornamental food.
Joan had some tasty brie and wasa-like flatbread to put it on as well as chips and guacamole.
Laney is usually too busy playing with the kids in the cul de sac to get serious about eating until shortly before we want to leave. Lenore was "helping" her with her dinner and gave her a piece of the flatbread. Laney chewed it awhile and then pronounced,"it tastes like I'm eating a decoration." I had no idea she was so well versed in the consumption of ornamental food.
04 April 2007
Poltergeist Unveiled
Months ago we borrowed a "Shark Tale" DVD from Joan and Darrell. Lenore placed it in the machine and then got distracted and when she came back to play it for Laney. It was gone. She claimed Poltergeists. I said, "Yes, dear" and secretly arranged for psychiatric counselling. We never found the disc and never returned the empty box. We searched everywhere. Some movie critics might ask, "why?"
Yesterday, Laney watched another DVD borrowed from the Smith Library, Chicken Little. Again critics are asking, "why?" After the viewing, it remained in the machine in its perpetual loop. Finally, Lenore pushed the eject button and the drawer opened and "voila" no DVD.
So, armed with a phillips screwdriver a Haris Scalpel and some 3.0 silk I carefully opened the machine, thereby voiding the warranty on our 5+ year old, $35 DVD player. There is an awful lot of empty space inside those black boxes. Stacked neatly at the back of the device were the two lost DVDs. Laney rejoiced. I said, "why?"
Yesterday, Laney watched another DVD borrowed from the Smith Library, Chicken Little. Again critics are asking, "why?" After the viewing, it remained in the machine in its perpetual loop. Finally, Lenore pushed the eject button and the drawer opened and "voila" no DVD.
So, armed with a phillips screwdriver a Haris Scalpel and some 3.0 silk I carefully opened the machine, thereby voiding the warranty on our 5+ year old, $35 DVD player. There is an awful lot of empty space inside those black boxes. Stacked neatly at the back of the device were the two lost DVDs. Laney rejoiced. I said, "why?"
01 April 2007
Really Young Women's Conference
We went to the Young Women's Conference Last Saturday. Laney had to go with us because Ailsa was at work and we didn't have any other babysitter. She did pretty well. But near the end she was growing restless and asked Lenore how much more there was. Lenore told her, "after this speaker, President Hinckley will talk and he is the last speaker." Laney replied, "President Hinckley?...is he still alive!?"
31 March 2007
Cyclist's Translation Guide
I ran into this on BikeJournal.com:
Cyclists are the biggest sandbaggers and secret trainers around. They'll say anything to soften you up for the kill. Don't let this happen to you. Study this handy rider's phrasebook to find out what they really mean when they say:
http://spokesandbeans.wordpress.com/2007/04/24/bike-lingo/
Cyclists are the biggest sandbaggers and secret trainers around. They'll say anything to soften you up for the kill. Don't let this happen to you. Study this handy rider's phrasebook to find out what they really mean when they say:
http://spokesandbeans.wordpress.com/2007/04/24/bike-lingo/
19 March 2007
I'm Looking Over....
Actually, last Friday (16 March) I was looking over a Bluefield, WV City Directory from the 1940's and found pressed between the pages a four-leaf clover. It was amusing so I showed the other researchers. They thought it was amusing too. But, nobody seemed terribly interested in it so I threw it in the trash.
I didn't realize that Lenore was descended from Leprechauns and that I would incur the wrath and fury of seven year's bad luck by disrespecting this precious keepsake. I promised to try to rescue it from the dustbin if it was still there today. No such luck. Beware the Ides of March.
I didn't realize that Lenore was descended from Leprechauns and that I would incur the wrath and fury of seven year's bad luck by disrespecting this precious keepsake. I promised to try to rescue it from the dustbin if it was still there today. No such luck. Beware the Ides of March.
27 February 2007
"Definitely the Coolest Guy in the Room"
Oh Brother!
Yes, we watched the Oscars. And for the most part we enjoyed it.
Ellen Degeneres got panned. But, we liked her.
Most of the dresses were very nice.
The only really political jab was quite funny, about the 2000 election.
The nominations for Best Movie were a little pathetic.
I wanted Peter O'Toole or Will Smith to win instead of Forest Whitaker. But, he did look good as Idi Amin.
But, the worst travesty was giving the Music award to An Inconvenient Pooch instead of Dreamgirls. They was robbed.
Professional movie people still don't know how to write or give a speech, or speak using a microphone.
Al Gore getting credit for the lame power point presentation and being allowed to give an acceptance speech for the Oscar is like Viggo Mortenson accepting the award for LOTR ROTK for Best Movie. He wasn't the Director or Producer. He was one of the players.
Yes, we watched the Oscars. And for the most part we enjoyed it.
Ellen Degeneres got panned. But, we liked her.
Most of the dresses were very nice.
The only really political jab was quite funny, about the 2000 election.
The nominations for Best Movie were a little pathetic.
I wanted Peter O'Toole or Will Smith to win instead of Forest Whitaker. But, he did look good as Idi Amin.
But, the worst travesty was giving the Music award to An Inconvenient Pooch instead of Dreamgirls. They was robbed.
Professional movie people still don't know how to write or give a speech, or speak using a microphone.
Al Gore getting credit for the lame power point presentation and being allowed to give an acceptance speech for the Oscar is like Viggo Mortenson accepting the award for LOTR ROTK for Best Movie. He wasn't the Director or Producer. He was one of the players.
21 February 2007
Helen Wheels
The drive home from Saint George was interesting and comical. We had to be home in time to watch "24", so we could catch up on all the new torture techniques we might need to employ if we ever encounter some unsuspecting Muslim neighbor.
We stopped at the outlet mall and bought an insufficient quantity of unneeded chocolates and goodies. After we got on the road the kids settled into their routines. Ailsa was clackity clacking away on some story. Laney and Jensen were watching Corpse Bride. And mom was browsing one of her favorite websites and mumbling about how difficult it is to the use the browser on my Treo.
The storm set in and soon we were tooling along at 30-40 mph behind a long line of cars in the passing lane not passing the occasional car in the "slow" lane. I had to keep turning the defroster on to clear the windows. But, then we would start roasting in the car. With the blue Explorer it's either all or nothing. Pretty soon the windshield wipers were so clogged with ice that they only serviced a very small swath of the windshield. I'm hunching down to try to see through the tiny patch of clear in front of me and still grumbling about the drivers in the passing lane apparently afraid to cross the 3/8ths inch of deadly snow separating the two lanes of traffic.
We dug into the goodies and quickly consumed all of the chocolate and the most thin and tenders bits of seanut brittle (see spongebob). Not wanting to bother Lenore, who is speckled with pieces of chocolate and carmel, I hold the steering wheel in my knees and try to break the remaining large, thick piece of candy. A fragment from the breaking seanut brittle springs into my eye. I imagine Stewie from Family Guy practicing for the Olympics with a huge shard of glass protruding from his forehead.
In my mind's eye I concoct a vision: I lose control of the car and we take flight over the edge of the embankment. None of the cars around us notices or stops because of the whiteout conditions. Weeks later Highway Patrolmen come upon the scene and find our lifeless bodies, well preserved because the defroster is still going at 180 degrees.
We stopped at the outlet mall and bought an insufficient quantity of unneeded chocolates and goodies. After we got on the road the kids settled into their routines. Ailsa was clackity clacking away on some story. Laney and Jensen were watching Corpse Bride. And mom was browsing one of her favorite websites and mumbling about how difficult it is to the use the browser on my Treo.
The storm set in and soon we were tooling along at 30-40 mph behind a long line of cars in the passing lane not passing the occasional car in the "slow" lane. I had to keep turning the defroster on to clear the windows. But, then we would start roasting in the car. With the blue Explorer it's either all or nothing. Pretty soon the windshield wipers were so clogged with ice that they only serviced a very small swath of the windshield. I'm hunching down to try to see through the tiny patch of clear in front of me and still grumbling about the drivers in the passing lane apparently afraid to cross the 3/8ths inch of deadly snow separating the two lanes of traffic.
We dug into the goodies and quickly consumed all of the chocolate and the most thin and tenders bits of seanut brittle (see spongebob). Not wanting to bother Lenore, who is speckled with pieces of chocolate and carmel, I hold the steering wheel in my knees and try to break the remaining large, thick piece of candy. A fragment from the breaking seanut brittle springs into my eye. I imagine Stewie from Family Guy practicing for the Olympics with a huge shard of glass protruding from his forehead.
In my mind's eye I concoct a vision: I lose control of the car and we take flight over the edge of the embankment. None of the cars around us notices or stops because of the whiteout conditions. Weeks later Highway Patrolmen come upon the scene and find our lifeless bodies, well preserved because the defroster is still going at 180 degrees.
Bridge to Saint George
We just had a very nice weekend in Saint George with my parents. It reminded me of a phrase from Bruce Hafen's Conference talk from April of 2004, "This earth is not our home. We are away at school, trying to master the lessons of "the great plan of happiness" so we can return home and know what it means to be there."
It is so difficult with the kids schedule and mine to find a time to go to the temple together. We awoke Saturday morning and went the the Saint George temple to do baptisms for the dead. It was a very sweet experience. After we were finished they asked me to baptize a brother on behalf of a Toraru Tamamoto and we confirmed him directly afterward at the side of the font. I assumed he was proxy for his father in law, since it appeared his wife was oriental. This too, was a sweet experience.
I didn't take my bicycle with me. But, I took my pedals and helmet and rode my dad's bike, after substantially adjusting the seat height (up about 10cm). On Saturday I went south on River road to the state line and turned around. On Monday I went over Foremaster Hill twice and then came back down Riverside drive and then onto the bike trail and back around to the entrance to I-15 at Bluff road and then doubled back home.
Lenore and the kids and I went to see Bridge to Terabithia Saturday afternoon. We all enjoyed it thoroughly. I had read some unflattering comments about it from OSC and I see what he was getting at. So my somewhat lowered expectations may have helped in really enjoying it. AnnaSophia Robb was great as was Josh Hutcherson.
I sang Rob Gardner's "Savior, Redeemer of my Soul" at my parents ward on Sunday. It went fine. I had forgotten to bring a beta blocker. So I called Stuart and he phoned in a prescription for one pill, twelve dollars. Lenore wasn't too thrilled about that since she firmly believes a placebo would do the same thing. But, she's not the one singing a solo then is she.
It is so difficult with the kids schedule and mine to find a time to go to the temple together. We awoke Saturday morning and went the the Saint George temple to do baptisms for the dead. It was a very sweet experience. After we were finished they asked me to baptize a brother on behalf of a Toraru Tamamoto and we confirmed him directly afterward at the side of the font. I assumed he was proxy for his father in law, since it appeared his wife was oriental. This too, was a sweet experience.
I didn't take my bicycle with me. But, I took my pedals and helmet and rode my dad's bike, after substantially adjusting the seat height (up about 10cm). On Saturday I went south on River road to the state line and turned around. On Monday I went over Foremaster Hill twice and then came back down Riverside drive and then onto the bike trail and back around to the entrance to I-15 at Bluff road and then doubled back home.
Lenore and the kids and I went to see Bridge to Terabithia Saturday afternoon. We all enjoyed it thoroughly. I had read some unflattering comments about it from OSC and I see what he was getting at. So my somewhat lowered expectations may have helped in really enjoying it. AnnaSophia Robb was great as was Josh Hutcherson.
I sang Rob Gardner's "Savior, Redeemer of my Soul" at my parents ward on Sunday. It went fine. I had forgotten to bring a beta blocker. So I called Stuart and he phoned in a prescription for one pill, twelve dollars. Lenore wasn't too thrilled about that since she firmly believes a placebo would do the same thing. But, she's not the one singing a solo then is she.
17 February 2007
14 February 2007
The House of the Rising Sun
This is how attentive we are to things around the house. For several months in our bedroom there have been some post-it notes on the walls. These show some of Laney's first experiments with writing.
Last night we noticed some "new" ones. They have been there all along. We just hadn't really looked at them. On the north, east and south walls of the master bedroom there are talismans inscribed with very ancient baby runes that can be interpreted as witch and spirit, with Jensen's name on the north wall mommy on the east and Ailsa on the south.
I looked, but could not find any such amulet protecting against the wicked father of the home. I'm afraid to look under the marital bed for fear of finding a large pentagram.
Last night we noticed some "new" ones. They have been there all along. We just hadn't really looked at them. On the north, east and south walls of the master bedroom there are talismans inscribed with very ancient baby runes that can be interpreted as witch and spirit, with Jensen's name on the north wall mommy on the east and Ailsa on the south.
I looked, but could not find any such amulet protecting against the wicked father of the home. I'm afraid to look under the marital bed for fear of finding a large pentagram.
02 February 2007
Do You Ever Wonder?
Remember what it was like as a child falling asleep in your bed at night? All of the thoughts that went through your mind? The other evening we had put Laney to bed. Lenore was trying to fall asleep and I was watching television waiting for Laney to drop off. Out of the blue Laney asks, "Mommy, am I Catholic?"
11 January 2007
Christmas 2006
The first grade has been a tough transition for Laney. Each day is soooooooo much longer than it was in Kindergarten. She is learning at a very tender age to savor those short Fridays and holidays. We told her she only has to attend school until she is 37 or can spell Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanokoniosis... and cure it. She has been without her two front teeth for some time now and proudly sports her "kitty mouth." As with most kids her age, she is Professor of the Annoying Arts and practices her skill at the appropriate times. Chief among these skills is the inane repetition of some supposedly ominous phrase meant to evoke peals of laughter from her peers. But, the humor of this performance is lost on anyone over the age of six. After 15 minutes of enduring nonstop "kid alert! kid alert! kid alert!" (or some such klaxsonesque noise) we are willing to submit to waterboarding just to get her to stop. This is one of the interrogation methods used against some of our more hardened Al Qaeda terrorists.
Jensen is doing great at school. She is carrying a 3.75 GPA and really seems to enjoy herself. But, she often stays up way too late doing her homework. It is not uncommon for her to fall asleep on the floor or beside her bed. She's not supposed to start doing that until college. Jensen attempts to do everything and ends up making it look like Ailsa is only trying to get by with the bare minimum (only 15 pieces of flair.) Jensen has become my most consistent riding partner on the tandem bike and usually thanks me for making her go for a ride. She has finally gotten her driver's license. This is after Lenore has carefully logged and made sure that Jensen has fulfilled the requisite 1800 hours of parent supervised, daytime, nighttime, evening, dusk, dawn and blindfolded driving. She has done very well during this training despite the three other drivers in the family bickering in the car over who gets to yell at her for every little mistake.
Ailsa finished up at Salt Lake Community College and will be attending the University of Utah this coming semester as a Junior. Despite having a 3.68 GPA while carrying 20 credit hours at SLCC a year ago, she did not get accepted by the "Y." She is rather a homebody, and we love having her around. So, her die hard BYU fan father isn't too broken up about it. She earned her AA degree at the end of the summer and we allowed her this fall semester "off." So, it has been one giant lollapalooza. She's been lying around eating bon bons and listening to Davey Havok at earsplitting decibel levels. She purchased the car that her departing missionary friend left behind (no stalker here), a 1993 $500 Sentra with 200k miles. But, it is a "sweet ride." She is still working through re-writes with her publisher on her first book. And, she has a new project, a set of four novelettes, that we think we might self publish or shop to a different publisher. The first two parts are ready for print. She is in the middle of writing the third book and expects to be finished with the whole project this Spring.
I'm afraid I have spent a large part of my parenting energy filling my kids' heads with obscure cultural references and they have turned out just as strange as me. We spent a couple of weeks watching the three seasons of "Arrested Development" on DVD. The bigger kids loved it and now occasionally engage in contests to see who can say "Bob LaBlah's Law Blog" when they are not trying to teleport like Hiro Nakamura.
My personal highlights this year are a 60 mile time trial finishing under 3 hours and seeing some old good friends when we were visiting California in the Summer. A lowlight was overhearing a kid refer to me as an "old man" while we were at the Beach. But, generally I just go around muttering "keep it together" under my breath while speedailing my Mindhead mentor and wondering when is the last time I looked young in a photograph.
Lenore had lots of fun this Christmas making sure she got the absolute best deal on all of the most educational presents for the kids. They are upstairs now playing "Tuba Hero" on the X-box. She got to help out with the first and second grade production of the Nutcracker for Christmas. At first she had high expectations for the "flower" dance number. After a couple of rehearsals she was just glad none of the dancers broke down crying or ran off stage during the performances. During Ailsa's semester at home they have often walked Laney to and from school and enjoyed that time together.
Jensen is doing great at school. She is carrying a 3.75 GPA and really seems to enjoy herself. But, she often stays up way too late doing her homework. It is not uncommon for her to fall asleep on the floor or beside her bed. She's not supposed to start doing that until college. Jensen attempts to do everything and ends up making it look like Ailsa is only trying to get by with the bare minimum (only 15 pieces of flair.) Jensen has become my most consistent riding partner on the tandem bike and usually thanks me for making her go for a ride. She has finally gotten her driver's license. This is after Lenore has carefully logged and made sure that Jensen has fulfilled the requisite 1800 hours of parent supervised, daytime, nighttime, evening, dusk, dawn and blindfolded driving. She has done very well during this training despite the three other drivers in the family bickering in the car over who gets to yell at her for every little mistake.
Ailsa finished up at Salt Lake Community College and will be attending the University of Utah this coming semester as a Junior. Despite having a 3.68 GPA while carrying 20 credit hours at SLCC a year ago, she did not get accepted by the "Y." She is rather a homebody, and we love having her around. So, her die hard BYU fan father isn't too broken up about it. She earned her AA degree at the end of the summer and we allowed her this fall semester "off." So, it has been one giant lollapalooza. She's been lying around eating bon bons and listening to Davey Havok at earsplitting decibel levels. She purchased the car that her departing missionary friend left behind (no stalker here), a 1993 $500 Sentra with 200k miles. But, it is a "sweet ride." She is still working through re-writes with her publisher on her first book. And, she has a new project, a set of four novelettes, that we think we might self publish or shop to a different publisher. The first two parts are ready for print. She is in the middle of writing the third book and expects to be finished with the whole project this Spring.
I'm afraid I have spent a large part of my parenting energy filling my kids' heads with obscure cultural references and they have turned out just as strange as me. We spent a couple of weeks watching the three seasons of "Arrested Development" on DVD. The bigger kids loved it and now occasionally engage in contests to see who can say "Bob LaBlah's Law Blog" when they are not trying to teleport like Hiro Nakamura.
My personal highlights this year are a 60 mile time trial finishing under 3 hours and seeing some old good friends when we were visiting California in the Summer. A lowlight was overhearing a kid refer to me as an "old man" while we were at the Beach. But, generally I just go around muttering "keep it together" under my breath while speedailing my Mindhead mentor and wondering when is the last time I looked young in a photograph.
Lenore had lots of fun this Christmas making sure she got the absolute best deal on all of the most educational presents for the kids. They are upstairs now playing "Tuba Hero" on the X-box. She got to help out with the first and second grade production of the Nutcracker for Christmas. At first she had high expectations for the "flower" dance number. After a couple of rehearsals she was just glad none of the dancers broke down crying or ran off stage during the performances. During Ailsa's semester at home they have often walked Laney to and from school and enjoyed that time together.
02 January 2007
New Years
For a short while on BikeJournal.com yesterday I was ranked at 31 in total mileage. I ended last year ranked around 1430 with a total of 3001 miles and some change. Yes, the screen capture says #32. But, some joker logged 5000 miles, which I'm pretty sure he didn't ride since the new year.
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About Me
- Todd Lillywhite
- Education:
BA BYU 1983 Italian and International Relations
MA CUA (Catholic University of America) 1990 Italian Literature
Religion: LDS (Mormon)
Politics: Conservative
Employment: 84-89 NationalSecurityAgency
89-present AmericanResearchBureau (forensic genealogy)
Onetime Sports passions: Surfing and Volleyball
Current Sports interest: Cycling
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