31 December 2008
27 December 2008
26 December 2008
The Hunter and the Damage Done
Tommy got spooked early Christmas morning. Jensen reached for him and sustained near emergency room injuries.
22 December 2008
December 2008
Nore and the kids have been very diligent about walking after they drop Laney off at school in the morning. On two mornings in a row last week they came upon seemingly stray pets. Maybe there was unusual sunspot activity?! In each case they brought them home and called their owner or the shelter. This picture is a particularly nice looking dog. He had a blond companion with him who is out of the picture.
This is Nore at the ward Christmas party waiting with Laney in line to see Santa Claus.
This is Laney all gussied up for her latest dance recital. She doesn't do that well at the dancing. But, you should see her smile on stage. She just lights up.
17 December 2008
A Google a Day
Like Amanda Tanen and Gene Simmons I Google myself every morning (not). However, I did do it today and found some interesting things:
While finishing my undergraduate degree at BYU I worked for Dr. H. Donl Peterson translating some old texts. One of these is listed on the "internets" and attributes the translation to me. I never knew what happened to that work. You can find it right here. I don't expect it is a very good translation though since it was translated from French and I know very little French.
There are three websites that list me as a horrible despicable contributor to the Prop 8 campaign. I'll try to put their names here in such a way that that their Google ranking doesn't benefit from it:
qsaltlakeDOTcom
pridedepotDOTcom
kiltzeDOTwordpressDOTcom
I think in retaliation I am going to list them on a website that I will name, idontwantyoutodoanythingthatmightruinmyday.com
While finishing my undergraduate degree at BYU I worked for Dr. H. Donl Peterson translating some old texts. One of these is listed on the "internets" and attributes the translation to me. I never knew what happened to that work. You can find it right here. I don't expect it is a very good translation though since it was translated from French and I know very little French.
There are three websites that list me as a horrible despicable contributor to the Prop 8 campaign. I'll try to put their names here in such a way that that their Google ranking doesn't benefit from it:
qsaltlakeDOTcom
pridedepotDOTcom
kiltzeDOTwordpressDOTcom
I think in retaliation I am going to list them on a website that I will name, idontwantyoutodoanythingthatmightruinmyday.com
01 December 2008
Todd Thinks:
City of Ember wasn't that great. Glad I didn't pay full price. Quantum of Solace was better than Casino Royale, and Wall-e may be better than them all.
And, I want to know what is this new large city in India I've never heard before, Mumbai?
If we are trying to pronounce everything the way natives do, then why don't the news people call it Deutchland? or Italia or Suomi? Why all the deference only to the noble eastern countries of the world?
And, I want to know what is this new large city in India I've never heard before, Mumbai?
If we are trying to pronounce everything the way natives do, then why don't the news people call it Deutchland? or Italia or Suomi? Why all the deference only to the noble eastern countries of the world?
27 November 2008
22 November 2008
18 November 2008
Recent Past/Near Future
I gave the annual tithing talk on Sunday (my fifth one.) I'm hoping I don't have to do too many more. It's difficult to come up with new material or a new angle. You feel like saying, "Look, just do it. Okay?" It went well enough, though. I also spoke briefly about supporting the Church in the current political climate.
Lenore and I sat down on Saturday and planned out Jensen's BYU classes for her. It took a little brain power. But, we have it worked out pretty well. Just have to get her into some housing now.
I have to do my annual performance review at work in the next couple of weeks. This is one of the most onerous tasks invented by man. You would think after 19 years you could just call it in. I should keep all my old papers and recycle what I've written before. They make a big deal about this being our thing. We are in charge of it. Well, if I'm in charge, let's cancel!
We are looking forward to the upcoming Thanksgiving Holiday and also Christmas. With vacation days and extra days off I will be off early on the Weds before Thanksgiving (through the weekend) and then off the day before Christmas for 5 days and then one day of work and then another 6 days off. We should have fun. However, this could all change a little if anybody in the Ward dies. But, we are almost home free.
I think I've only had two funerals this year and one of those was for someone who moved out of the Ward years ago. We now have 9 people over the age of 90 and 35 over the age of 80. Poor Bishop Peaden. He's only been in 6 months and already done about 5 funerals.
Lenore and I sat down on Saturday and planned out Jensen's BYU classes for her. It took a little brain power. But, we have it worked out pretty well. Just have to get her into some housing now.
I have to do my annual performance review at work in the next couple of weeks. This is one of the most onerous tasks invented by man. You would think after 19 years you could just call it in. I should keep all my old papers and recycle what I've written before. They make a big deal about this being our thing. We are in charge of it. Well, if I'm in charge, let's cancel!
We are looking forward to the upcoming Thanksgiving Holiday and also Christmas. With vacation days and extra days off I will be off early on the Weds before Thanksgiving (through the weekend) and then off the day before Christmas for 5 days and then one day of work and then another 6 days off. We should have fun. However, this could all change a little if anybody in the Ward dies. But, we are almost home free.
I think I've only had two funerals this year and one of those was for someone who moved out of the Ward years ago. We now have 9 people over the age of 90 and 35 over the age of 80. Poor Bishop Peaden. He's only been in 6 months and already done about 5 funerals.
Firefly - A Very Good Show
SIMON: I'm trying to put this as delicately as I can... How do I know you won't kill me in my sleep?
MAL: You don't know me, son. So let me explain this to you once: If I ever kill you, you'll be awake, you'll be facing me, and you'll be armed.
SIMON: (smiles) Are you always this sentimental?
MAL: I had a good day.
SIMON: You had the law on you, criminals and savages... half the people on the ship have been shot or wounded including yourself, and you're harboring known fugitives.
Mal looks out at the black sky.
MAL: We're still flying.
SIMON: That's not much.
Mal answers, almost to himself...
MAL: It's enough.
MAL: You don't know me, son. So let me explain this to you once: If I ever kill you, you'll be awake, you'll be facing me, and you'll be armed.
SIMON: (smiles) Are you always this sentimental?
MAL: I had a good day.
SIMON: You had the law on you, criminals and savages... half the people on the ship have been shot or wounded including yourself, and you're harboring known fugitives.
Mal looks out at the black sky.
MAL: We're still flying.
SIMON: That's not much.
Mal answers, almost to himself...
MAL: It's enough.
05 November 2008
02 November 2008
01 November 2008
An open letter to Steve Young and all those disinclined to support California’s Proposition 8, especially LDS.
Shame on you.
We graduated BYU the same year. We even had a class together. I thrilled when you did so well in Football: The final game winning touchdown catch against Illinois in the Holiday Bowl; Your $40 million contract with the Express; Your great career with the 49ers.
So it is with utmost respect and brotherly love I say, you are wrong.
Now, I don’t know your specific reasoning for opposing this piece of legislation. You may have huge pressure from family or loved ones. I myself have people close to me whom I love dearly, who live a homosexual lifestyle or who struggle with those desires. I can only guess what your motivation is. Most LDS who oppose this proposition and who have trouble with other moral issues like it, such as abortion, wrongly think that establishing laws (actually in this case we are upholding a law) to proscribe behavior is somehow “forcing” people to behave in a particular way and therefore wrong. This arises from a misunderstanding of Agency and Our Heavenly Father’s plan.
It is not Satan’s way to make laws and punish for their infraction. That is how Heavenly Father works and how a good parent trains their child. Satan works by lying, persuading, obfuscating, He lied in the Garden of Eden and he lies today. Agency does not imply unlimited freedom to choose. A simple look at our world will show that each one of us has a differing level of freedom to choose. It would go counter to Heavenly Father’s plan to give everyone the same opportunities in this life.
Many people act like this is the natural progression of society, the natural next step. It is natural for society to tend ever increasingly towards permissiveness and amorality. But, it is not Progress. It leads toward no good.
Many people think homosexuals were born with a predisposition toward their unrighteous behavior. Be that as it may. Perhaps I was born with a predisposition to be promiscuous. That fact would not absolve me of the duty to obey God’s commandments and be bound by them.
Some homosexuals seek for relevance and approval for one of their behaviors. Since biology and nature marginalize them, in our day of brash open wickedness they make their homosexuality their most significant trait and thrust it on society to accept them. There was a time when Society’s mores kept amoral behavior in check. The shame of society kept unrighteous behavior hidden. You may say it is hypocritical to hide the truth. But, it does serve a purpose; to keep the encroachment of wickedness at bay.
As Pat Buchanan so eloquently said: “Homosexuality has gone from "the love that dare not speak its name" to "the love that won't shut up."
Some people say that allowing homosexuals this small insignificant favor does no harm. A careful study of the Atonement will bring you to realize that any wrong, any infraction of a Commandment, even an innocent offense contributes to the overall burden of the Savior and thereby does harm. It drags our world further away from its rightful place as a Heavenly world. There are no victimless transgressions.
You find yourself at odds with the Lord’s Prophet. That does not seem like a good place to be. I assume that you believe your great grandfather was a Prophet. At what point did our current Prophets lose their inspiration and direction from the Lord? At what point has the Church gone astray?
Our society has gone so far down the road toward ruin; it may be too late to rescue humanity. Perhaps the line must be drawn here. This may be our last stand. Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed when it became impossible for the children to be taught correctly and have a chance to succeed in righteousness.
Satan has taught some of our society to see good as evil and evil as good. He paints with great skill and makes it difficult to see the way. He continues to try to thwart Heavenly Father’s plan by lying and persuading and telling us that we won’t have to face the consequences of our crimes. Despite those mocking from all quarters we have to hold to the truth and stand for what is right.
Shame on you.
You may call me a hater. But, I am not. You may call me intolerant. But, I am not.
UPDATE: I understand now that news releases of Steve's opposition to 8 may have been premature. He may be in a very hard place between his own views and those of his wife.
We graduated BYU the same year. We even had a class together. I thrilled when you did so well in Football: The final game winning touchdown catch against Illinois in the Holiday Bowl; Your $40 million contract with the Express; Your great career with the 49ers.
So it is with utmost respect and brotherly love I say, you are wrong.
Now, I don’t know your specific reasoning for opposing this piece of legislation. You may have huge pressure from family or loved ones. I myself have people close to me whom I love dearly, who live a homosexual lifestyle or who struggle with those desires. I can only guess what your motivation is. Most LDS who oppose this proposition and who have trouble with other moral issues like it, such as abortion, wrongly think that establishing laws (actually in this case we are upholding a law) to proscribe behavior is somehow “forcing” people to behave in a particular way and therefore wrong. This arises from a misunderstanding of Agency and Our Heavenly Father’s plan.
It is not Satan’s way to make laws and punish for their infraction. That is how Heavenly Father works and how a good parent trains their child. Satan works by lying, persuading, obfuscating, He lied in the Garden of Eden and he lies today. Agency does not imply unlimited freedom to choose. A simple look at our world will show that each one of us has a differing level of freedom to choose. It would go counter to Heavenly Father’s plan to give everyone the same opportunities in this life.
Many people act like this is the natural progression of society, the natural next step. It is natural for society to tend ever increasingly towards permissiveness and amorality. But, it is not Progress. It leads toward no good.
Many people think homosexuals were born with a predisposition toward their unrighteous behavior. Be that as it may. Perhaps I was born with a predisposition to be promiscuous. That fact would not absolve me of the duty to obey God’s commandments and be bound by them.
Some homosexuals seek for relevance and approval for one of their behaviors. Since biology and nature marginalize them, in our day of brash open wickedness they make their homosexuality their most significant trait and thrust it on society to accept them. There was a time when Society’s mores kept amoral behavior in check. The shame of society kept unrighteous behavior hidden. You may say it is hypocritical to hide the truth. But, it does serve a purpose; to keep the encroachment of wickedness at bay.
As Pat Buchanan so eloquently said: “Homosexuality has gone from "the love that dare not speak its name" to "the love that won't shut up."
Some people say that allowing homosexuals this small insignificant favor does no harm. A careful study of the Atonement will bring you to realize that any wrong, any infraction of a Commandment, even an innocent offense contributes to the overall burden of the Savior and thereby does harm. It drags our world further away from its rightful place as a Heavenly world. There are no victimless transgressions.
You find yourself at odds with the Lord’s Prophet. That does not seem like a good place to be. I assume that you believe your great grandfather was a Prophet. At what point did our current Prophets lose their inspiration and direction from the Lord? At what point has the Church gone astray?
Our society has gone so far down the road toward ruin; it may be too late to rescue humanity. Perhaps the line must be drawn here. This may be our last stand. Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed when it became impossible for the children to be taught correctly and have a chance to succeed in righteousness.
Satan has taught some of our society to see good as evil and evil as good. He paints with great skill and makes it difficult to see the way. He continues to try to thwart Heavenly Father’s plan by lying and persuading and telling us that we won’t have to face the consequences of our crimes. Despite those mocking from all quarters we have to hold to the truth and stand for what is right.
Shame on you.
You may call me a hater. But, I am not. You may call me intolerant. But, I am not.
UPDATE: I understand now that news releases of Steve's opposition to 8 may have been premature. He may be in a very hard place between his own views and those of his wife.
25 October 2008
Prop 8
Many opponents of Prop 8 in California ask why we are so against gay couples living their lives they way they want to. Yet, no one has pointed out how the failure of Prop 8 would change the way they are living right now.
24 October 2008
Movies
Between 11 and 19 October I may have set a new record for seeing first run movies at a real live theater. I saw:
Errand of Angels
Ghost Town
Eagle Eye
Journey to the Center of the Earth
I listed them in order of how good I thought they were. A few comments:
Journey was fine. It introduced a really cute new actress; Icelander Anita Briem. The story was silly enough. Kinda fluffy.
Eagle eye was maybe only slightly better than Journey. I mostly like Shia LeBouf. I could have done without so much action. make it a little more cerebral. But, okay.
Ricky Gervais often annoys me with his over the top caustic, sardonicism. But, he was kept within a box by something or someone on this film and it helped immensely. The message was very sweet. Tea Leoni's somewhat asymmetrical face of her youth maybe mellowing. She was a little easier on the eyes.
Errand of Angels managed to show mission life fairly accurately without demeaning it or opting for sophomoric LDS self deprecation. If you've been on an LDS mission you will probably relate. If you are planning for one it would be some good mild heads up and encouragement.
During the same time period Lenore saw all these movies plus the new Mummy movie. It was a Brendan Fraser week for her.
Errand of Angels
Ghost Town
Eagle Eye
Journey to the Center of the Earth
I listed them in order of how good I thought they were. A few comments:
Journey was fine. It introduced a really cute new actress; Icelander Anita Briem. The story was silly enough. Kinda fluffy.
Eagle eye was maybe only slightly better than Journey. I mostly like Shia LeBouf. I could have done without so much action. make it a little more cerebral. But, okay.
Ricky Gervais often annoys me with his over the top caustic, sardonicism. But, he was kept within a box by something or someone on this film and it helped immensely. The message was very sweet. Tea Leoni's somewhat asymmetrical face of her youth maybe mellowing. She was a little easier on the eyes.
Errand of Angels managed to show mission life fairly accurately without demeaning it or opting for sophomoric LDS self deprecation. If you've been on an LDS mission you will probably relate. If you are planning for one it would be some good mild heads up and encouragement.
During the same time period Lenore saw all these movies plus the new Mummy movie. It was a Brendan Fraser week for her.
22 October 2008
Another thought on Agency:
Satan could have sought to thwart the plan by not having us forget the pre-existence. The veil of forgetfulness seems like another essential element of the Plan and Agency. In the Garden of Eden he is surprised that Adam doesn't remember. He is all about getting them to eat of the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of good and evil. Perhaps he expects them to remember their pre-existence immediately upon partaking of the fruit.
16 October 2008
Mission Call
Ailsa is going to serve in the Houston, Texas Spanish speaking mission. She enters the MTC on 7 Jan and is excited.
07 October 2008
Ailsa is in Comics!
At Laser Quest there was a lot of these comics lying around and some of the workers got inventive. Notice the Soleil was changed to Si-Je, her Laser Quest moniker.
06 October 2008
Santita' al Signore
Yay! A temple in Rome. We've been praying for this for years. Care to contribute to the Lillywhite family fund to attend the dedication?
29 September 2008
Uma Watch Out!!!
This is Ailsa as Poison Ivy at the Laser Quest party last Friday night.
Jensen has been accepted to BYU. But, she may just go to Utah since it is cheaper. Ailsa has her papers submitted for her mission. We are anxious to know where she will be sent.
Jensen has been accepted to BYU. But, she may just go to Utah since it is cheaper. Ailsa has her papers submitted for her mission. We are anxious to know where she will be sent.
15 September 2008
Legacy Parkway Tour 2008
Yay me!
Here are my results for this race. Below is a screenshot of the overall top eight riders. You can get to this page if you fiddle with the website. But, it doesn't look like I can give you a link that will work.
There was a total of 715 people who registered and finished this race.
One of my last unreached goals this year was to break 23 mph average in a time trial or solo ride of at least 20 miles or so. I have been wanting for years to do the World Senior Games in St. George. But, as this year ticked along I could see that I probably didn't have the vacation days to spare. Right now, I have 2 vacation days left for the year and I would probably need to use 2 days to do the Senior Games. I have to keep some time available in case someone else in the ward passes away and I have to conduct a funeral. This isn't an idle preoccupation. We have more than 30 people in the ward over the age of 80 and 9 over the age of 90. Interesting thing is most of those over 90 still come to their meetings! But, that's a story for another time.
I thought I might end up doing this ride by myself. But, When it came down to it Cliff, Eric, Craig and Teal Buchi and Jeff Barton participated. Although The Buchis and Jeff were too late to register.
Anyway I decided to do this race and try for a new best speed even though it was not a time trial. It is a lot easier to go fast in a race. But, I did so much faster than I was expecting that I'm calling it good.
There were a lot of people at this event. We arrived with only about 5 minutes to go and we squeezed into the middle of the start. So there were probably at least 300 people in front of us. This wasn't a big deal because those who registered had timing chips so your time didn't start until you crossed the start line. However, it was quite frustrating initially because there were A LOT of people in front who went quite slow and spread out all over the road making it VERY difficult to get up to speed and stay there for a while.
Anyway, once we were able, I got going about as fast as I could and just tried to hold on without exploding. I led a pack for most of the way out and then came upon a couple of guys I thought were going at a good rate of speed. I settled in with them for a while. But, then realized they weren't going fast enough. So, I tried to make it to the next group ahead.
I was on a guy's tail from about mile 7 to about mile 9 and then took a turn pulling up to the turn around. I was pretty well tuckered at the turn around and just fell into the back of a group of 6 riders with Cliff right in front of me. The four at the front took turns in the lead and didn't seem eager to include Cliff and me in the rotation. So we stayed back and let them do the work.
I hit something in the road at about mile 16 and briefly prayed that I wouldn't get a pinch flat. I must be living right because my tire did go flat after I got back home.
We came upon a large group of riders at about mile 17. I was a little surprised they were ahead of us because I hadn't seen that many people turn around and coming back before we got to the half way point. There was an electronic timing loop at the halfway point so you couldn't cheat by turning around early. I suspect some of this large group a) wasn't registered/didn't have a timing chip, b) didn't go all the way to the half way point before turning around. We stayed with this group for about two miles and then pushed a little ahead. At one point someone in the group dropped a water bottle and I'm surprised it didn't cause a big wreck. As it was it was a little hairy riding with them.
When we came to the finish. I thought briefly about sprinting. But, didn't feel any great need to pass anyone else. As it was I wouldn't have been able to make it to the podium anyway with a sprint. Cliff crossed ahead of me but must have crossed the start a little further ahead of me because my overall time was slightly better than his. It seemed there were probably 20 or so riders who finished before me. But, they must have started way before me or not registered because the Milliseconds people say I came in 5th overall. I was faster than anyone over the age of 39. My power output averaged about 220 watts!
Here are my results for this race. Below is a screenshot of the overall top eight riders. You can get to this page if you fiddle with the website. But, it doesn't look like I can give you a link that will work.
There was a total of 715 people who registered and finished this race.
One of my last unreached goals this year was to break 23 mph average in a time trial or solo ride of at least 20 miles or so. I have been wanting for years to do the World Senior Games in St. George. But, as this year ticked along I could see that I probably didn't have the vacation days to spare. Right now, I have 2 vacation days left for the year and I would probably need to use 2 days to do the Senior Games. I have to keep some time available in case someone else in the ward passes away and I have to conduct a funeral. This isn't an idle preoccupation. We have more than 30 people in the ward over the age of 80 and 9 over the age of 90. Interesting thing is most of those over 90 still come to their meetings! But, that's a story for another time.
I thought I might end up doing this ride by myself. But, When it came down to it Cliff, Eric, Craig and Teal Buchi and Jeff Barton participated. Although The Buchis and Jeff were too late to register.
Anyway I decided to do this race and try for a new best speed even though it was not a time trial. It is a lot easier to go fast in a race. But, I did so much faster than I was expecting that I'm calling it good.
There were a lot of people at this event. We arrived with only about 5 minutes to go and we squeezed into the middle of the start. So there were probably at least 300 people in front of us. This wasn't a big deal because those who registered had timing chips so your time didn't start until you crossed the start line. However, it was quite frustrating initially because there were A LOT of people in front who went quite slow and spread out all over the road making it VERY difficult to get up to speed and stay there for a while.
Anyway, once we were able, I got going about as fast as I could and just tried to hold on without exploding. I led a pack for most of the way out and then came upon a couple of guys I thought were going at a good rate of speed. I settled in with them for a while. But, then realized they weren't going fast enough. So, I tried to make it to the next group ahead.
I was on a guy's tail from about mile 7 to about mile 9 and then took a turn pulling up to the turn around. I was pretty well tuckered at the turn around and just fell into the back of a group of 6 riders with Cliff right in front of me. The four at the front took turns in the lead and didn't seem eager to include Cliff and me in the rotation. So we stayed back and let them do the work.
I hit something in the road at about mile 16 and briefly prayed that I wouldn't get a pinch flat. I must be living right because my tire did go flat after I got back home.
We came upon a large group of riders at about mile 17. I was a little surprised they were ahead of us because I hadn't seen that many people turn around and coming back before we got to the half way point. There was an electronic timing loop at the halfway point so you couldn't cheat by turning around early. I suspect some of this large group a) wasn't registered/didn't have a timing chip, b) didn't go all the way to the half way point before turning around. We stayed with this group for about two miles and then pushed a little ahead. At one point someone in the group dropped a water bottle and I'm surprised it didn't cause a big wreck. As it was it was a little hairy riding with them.
When we came to the finish. I thought briefly about sprinting. But, didn't feel any great need to pass anyone else. As it was I wouldn't have been able to make it to the podium anyway with a sprint. Cliff crossed ahead of me but must have crossed the start a little further ahead of me because my overall time was slightly better than his. It seemed there were probably 20 or so riders who finished before me. But, they must have started way before me or not registered because the Milliseconds people say I came in 5th overall. I was faster than anyone over the age of 39. My power output averaged about 220 watts!
09 September 2008
.jpg)
01 September 2008
New Camera
We bought a new camera this weekend. Our old one was about 5 years old and not that great to start out with. It got splashed at the beach and didn't work well for a day or two. We bought a Kodak 8.1 megapixel camera for $100. This ought to do us just fine for quite a while.
UPDATE: After going through two units of the Kodak model we bought (they both just stopped working after a while) we purchased a Canon 590IS and it is working just fine.
UPDATE: After going through two units of the Kodak model we bought (they both just stopped working after a while) we purchased a Canon 590IS and it is working just fine.
Laney Learns to Ride a Bike
Her friends and peers have been riding for some time. But, in just two short days of practice this weekend, Laney joined the ranks of the bicycle abled. It actually went very quick. She wouldn't stay at it for very long. But, early on Monday I could tell she was getting the hang of it. She still liked me to be there with my hand on her back. But, she was doing a lot of balancing. Before this I tried to convey to her in words how it felt to balance, that she needed to "sit" on the seat. She figured it out without my accurately verbalizing it. Kids are pretty smart that way.
17 August 2008
San Clemente 2008
Our summer vacation 2008 is but a faint memory. All in all we had a great time and got along very well. It's getting harder and harder every year to continue my normal level of activity without all sorts of aches and pains. I didn't throw myself into the cycling and surfing and body surfing quite as much as in the past. But, was still very busy. I didn't do as well surfing as last year I felt. I think the reason was with the swell that came through right before we arrived the bottom was uneven and at times I had an extremely difficult time with wave selection and my placement.
Our last day we went to the Trails at San Onofre State park. I may have been there once or twice back in the day. It was a wilder and less populated break. For the first half hour after we got there it was very active and I had a couple of rides. Most of the time the wave would lose power and reform further inside. Some of the biggest waves were in the 5 foot range. During the last 2 hours there was a lot of sitting around trying to catch waves that would putter out enough to make it impossible to catch.
With the bottom being messed up, a fairly deep trench had formed at San Clemente beach barely into the tideline that made it difficult and scary for the little kids to traverse. When the tide got right it was okay. But, Laney made me go out with her many times every day. Most of the time she would hang like a 50 lbs. sea anchor around my neck. I couldn't last long like this. So I got many workouts that were like someone trying to drown me for 20 minutes. Finally, the last couple of days the trench was nearly gone and Laney was mostly fine playing by herself with us just watching out for her.
Our last day we went to the Trails at San Onofre State park. I may have been there once or twice back in the day. It was a wilder and less populated break. For the first half hour after we got there it was very active and I had a couple of rides. Most of the time the wave would lose power and reform further inside. Some of the biggest waves were in the 5 foot range. During the last 2 hours there was a lot of sitting around trying to catch waves that would putter out enough to make it impossible to catch.
With the bottom being messed up, a fairly deep trench had formed at San Clemente beach barely into the tideline that made it difficult and scary for the little kids to traverse. When the tide got right it was okay. But, Laney made me go out with her many times every day. Most of the time she would hang like a 50 lbs. sea anchor around my neck. I couldn't last long like this. So I got many workouts that were like someone trying to drown me for 20 minutes. Finally, the last couple of days the trench was nearly gone and Laney was mostly fine playing by herself with us just watching out for her.
03 August 2008
San Clemente 2008
We are in Sacrament meeting in San Clemente. It is great to be here again. The trip down was enjoyable. We saw a really cool wildfire right up to the outskirts of Santaquin.
It is amazing to be able to travel at 80 mph in a very high level of comfort and safety, getting 80 mppg (miles per person gallon.) Jensen was on her computer. Lenore read a book to me, George Ritchie's Ordered to Return. Ailsa was already down at Kim's house, having been to OSC's writing conference in San Diego earlier this week. We are happy and trying to exercise more patience with one another.
The waves have been big this week. But, of course the swell was gone when we arrived.
I finished out the month of August cycling with 700 miles riding 190 miles my last week. I finally hit 11.5 percent bodyfat Friday after work, a new record for me in the modern era.
It is amazing to be able to travel at 80 mph in a very high level of comfort and safety, getting 80 mppg (miles per person gallon.) Jensen was on her computer. Lenore read a book to me, George Ritchie's Ordered to Return. Ailsa was already down at Kim's house, having been to OSC's writing conference in San Diego earlier this week. We are happy and trying to exercise more patience with one another.
The waves have been big this week. But, of course the swell was gone when we arrived.
I finished out the month of August cycling with 700 miles riding 190 miles my last week. I finally hit 11.5 percent bodyfat Friday after work, a new record for me in the modern era.
24 July 2008
23 July 2008
Further to Agency Rant - Discussion at Girls Camp
President Daw doesn't like to say Satan's plan. He didn't really have a plan. Lenore calls it the plan and the sham.
I think the sham is that he told us he had an easier way and we could still be happy. This denies accountability, which must be an Eternal law or the other side of the Agency coin. Satan is the Father of lies, uses fear, is manipulative, binds us down through addicitions. He plays upon our lack of Faith and lack of Knowledge. We can overcome that problem by studying and acting on the knowledge we gain.
We have to choose good or evil. When we choose good we eventually receive "all that the Father hath." When we choose evil, Satan can't repay with what we want (to be happy) Our choice and our ability to choose are only taken away.
Since every sin, transgression, misdeed, slight, mistake, imperfection accumulates and adds to the imperfection of this sphere, until the Savior comes and raises it up through the Atonement to the proper fullness of its creation, there are no victimless crimes. Every wrong hurts and degrades the system and makes it worse for all of us who dwell here.
I think the sham is that he told us he had an easier way and we could still be happy. This denies accountability, which must be an Eternal law or the other side of the Agency coin. Satan is the Father of lies, uses fear, is manipulative, binds us down through addicitions. He plays upon our lack of Faith and lack of Knowledge. We can overcome that problem by studying and acting on the knowledge we gain.
We have to choose good or evil. When we choose good we eventually receive "all that the Father hath." When we choose evil, Satan can't repay with what we want (to be happy) Our choice and our ability to choose are only taken away.
Since every sin, transgression, misdeed, slight, mistake, imperfection accumulates and adds to the imperfection of this sphere, until the Savior comes and raises it up through the Atonement to the proper fullness of its creation, there are no victimless crimes. Every wrong hurts and degrades the system and makes it worse for all of us who dwell here.
Warmup Weekend to San Clemente (300) Miles of Driving
This last weekend we had the ward campout and a Sarah and Daniel Johnson family reunion up in Preston.
Laney was really excited about the campout. This really is an outgrowth of the annual fathers and sons campout that most wards do. But, since the Bishop doesn't have sons we have made it a ward campout.
This year it was quite well attended and there were a lot of kids there.
We almost had a fiasco on the way up. I had gotten the keys out of our Bishopric closet and I asked Brent Winget if the locks had been changed in the last couple of years. He didn't know of any changes. I was pretty confident that Brent Gardner had used these keys last year to get in. Matt Brown came by the house early on Friday to get the keys since he was pretty sure he would be there first.
I got a call from Sherwood Preece after we just got into Parley's canyon that he was there and no one else yet. Matt Brown arrived within just a couple of minutes though and the key wasn't working in the lock.
I called Nate Cox.
I called Brent Gardner.
I called Brent Winget.
After some scrambling and having Nate Cox wait in town a couple of minutes to make sure we could get a key if we needed to, we found out from Brent Winget that there is a "super secret" key hidden on the property. We were able to let ourselves in and avoid a major fiasco.
We set up camp in our usual places, got a fire going to start toasting marshmallows. Soon we had a small contingent of kids hanging around the fire playing with burning sticks. They most annoying were Dain and Josh. Because, really aren't they old enough to be past the fascination with fire?
Kevin Westenskow brought a TV project player thingy and a screen and Luke Johnson brought up a generator and after the sun went down the kids watched a silly movie. It seems a little dumb to go camping and then watch a movie. But, after darkness fell the kids don't really want to go to sleep yet and it's nice to have something for them so you know where they are.
The breakfast in the morning was cooked by the Elders and they had everything you could want for breakfast.
Preston was also very nice. During the ride up there we had to endure Ailsa and Jensen talking nonstop about the new Batman movie. Sheesh. The weather in Preston was much milder than Salt Lake and we sat in the shade of a tree at Tutu's old house. Brian Woolley made a nice spread of food for us and I tried not to eat too much. But, I had to have one of each dessert.
We got back into town early enough that I was able to take a quick 26 mile ride on my bike.
06 July 2008
03 July 2008
Flight of the Conchords
I find this article interesting. I don't think it is necessary to charge individuals with crimes in this case. I have no problem with fining the companies. What I find interesting though is the sort of underlying, innate need to rectify everything that we see in man today. There are somethings that we just can't fix, or undo. Better to concentrate on those personal things or things close to us that we can change.
Don't Be Fooled
This story has been bugging me lately. It is a great example of how we sometimes let others define things for us or set the parameters of an argument. It took me a couple of times hearing this report and digging into it to actually find that the person is a WOMAN.
I'd Rather be Waterboarding
Regarding the stunt by Christopher Hitchens for his Vanity Fair article: I watched the video. Waterboarding looked a lot less horrible than I had expected. I'm sure the sensation of drowning and the fear for one's wellbeing is real. I go with what this guy said: Torture is any experience so horrible that no-one would consider trying it out simply for the purpose of writing a Vanity Fair article about what it’s like.
25 June 2008
Passage to Zarahemla
I'm going to try to be un-brutally honest, but straight up.
This movie didn't stink as bad as I had heard. And for a fat girl you don't sweat much.
I must mention up front that my taste in film is probably more offbeat than most people. I'm the guy who thinks Lady in the Water is M. Knight Shyamalan's best work.
Hear me out. I have never done anything half as ambitious as Chris Heimerdinger. But, I have seen a lot of movies and I stayed at a Holiday Inn last night. Okay, I made that last part up.
If I had to place Passage to Zarahemla in the LDS film genre, I would put it in the same range as The Best Two Years, which I actually really liked, despite its weaknesses.
Passage to Zarahemla is a little bit better than Charly, not quite as good as Sons of Provo (another movie that wasn't well received, but I liked a lot) and somewhat more behind Saints and Soldiers, Brigham City, and God's Army in that order.
It leaves any Singles Ward, the RM, the Home Teacher, Baptists at our Barbecue, and Church Ball in the dust. Disclaimer: I haven't seen Church Ball. But, having viewed the trailer numerous times, there is no way Gary Coleman saved this movie.
My biggest problem with most of the LDS movie genre is I can't tell who they think their audience is. If it is non LDS, well welcome to the big leagues and prepare to get beaten up. Best, to leave the sledgehammer between the eyes preachiness behind and go for subtlety. If the audience is the active LDS world then maybe there is less need to tell us things we already know and once again go for subtlety. The audience likes to think it is intelligent and figure some things out on its own and notice angles others might not have caught.
Although it did dip into “Road Show Humor” at times, this movie did not rely solely on it, which move I praise. Keep moving in this direction. It's time to raise the level of entertainment produced by Church members. No need to continually go for the lowest common denominator. Continually pointing out our quirks and cliches has run its course.
Things I liked:
The analogy between modern gangs and Gadianton robbers. I thought the way the gang element was brought into the story was a little clunky, though. Also, for the most part the gang members were more frightening than the Gadiantons, might have been better to make them more on par with each other.
Best line in the movie: “You all with the Manti Pageant?” when the Gadiantons walk into the eatery. This might seem “Road Show Humor” but it worked for me. Give Mr. Heimerdinger credit for that.
I also loved Kiddoni's observation: “How can you live after the Messiah and not believe in Him?” This was preaching that would work on both members and non.
Costumes were good, seemed authentic, did not detract. A
Casting was good. That little girl (Sariah?) was adorable with her one line. A
Cinematography was good. (the rack mounted Elk-cam was cheesy.) A-
Acting for the most part was good. Grandpa Lee might have been the best of the bunch. B+
Soundtrack - I was half and half on this. It may have been Sam Cardon's original music that I enjoyed and other artists that I didn't always enjoy. - B
I had heard some people complain that the special effects weren't up to snuff. I was fine with them.
This movie had high production values. Box Office Mojo doesn't disclose its production budget, only its gross revenue. I am certain it hasn't lost as much as The Work and the Glory. But, it's just as good a looking film.
What I didn't like or would try to improve:
Mr. Heimerdinger may have been too involved with the project. He should have gotten someone who has sold a screenplay to help him with that and leave the rest to others. Let someone else direct. If you are going to be in the same shot as your daughter, stand on a box so as to be a little taller.
Grandpa Lee's hair color wasn't right.
Only LDS see the rest of the world as all infested with gangs and such. I don't think a young boy Brock's age would be hanging with the Eminem wannabees twice his age.
Screenplay – too many obvious and cliched plot devices and turns. Of course they get a flat tire while driving to Utah and of course their car barely limps into town. I like to be surprised.
The aunt doesn't have to have 18 kids does she?
Didn't go anywhere with the meme of the uncle's bad short term memory. Use it or get rid of it.
The wrap up is a little abrupt and anticlimactic.
The biggest hurdle that LDS cinema has to overcome, and that other genres don't have is trying to share something with others that is uniquely precious to us and part of our spiritual identity.
LDS cinema has yet to attain 90% of its potential. But, Passage to Zarahemla is a step in the right direction.
This movie didn't stink as bad as I had heard. And for a fat girl you don't sweat much.
I must mention up front that my taste in film is probably more offbeat than most people. I'm the guy who thinks Lady in the Water is M. Knight Shyamalan's best work.
Hear me out. I have never done anything half as ambitious as Chris Heimerdinger. But, I have seen a lot of movies and I stayed at a Holiday Inn last night. Okay, I made that last part up.
If I had to place Passage to Zarahemla in the LDS film genre, I would put it in the same range as The Best Two Years, which I actually really liked, despite its weaknesses.
Passage to Zarahemla is a little bit better than Charly, not quite as good as Sons of Provo (another movie that wasn't well received, but I liked a lot) and somewhat more behind Saints and Soldiers, Brigham City, and God's Army in that order.
It leaves any Singles Ward, the RM, the Home Teacher, Baptists at our Barbecue, and Church Ball in the dust. Disclaimer: I haven't seen Church Ball. But, having viewed the trailer numerous times, there is no way Gary Coleman saved this movie.
My biggest problem with most of the LDS movie genre is I can't tell who they think their audience is. If it is non LDS, well welcome to the big leagues and prepare to get beaten up. Best, to leave the sledgehammer between the eyes preachiness behind and go for subtlety. If the audience is the active LDS world then maybe there is less need to tell us things we already know and once again go for subtlety. The audience likes to think it is intelligent and figure some things out on its own and notice angles others might not have caught.
Although it did dip into “Road Show Humor” at times, this movie did not rely solely on it, which move I praise. Keep moving in this direction. It's time to raise the level of entertainment produced by Church members. No need to continually go for the lowest common denominator. Continually pointing out our quirks and cliches has run its course.
Things I liked:
The analogy between modern gangs and Gadianton robbers. I thought the way the gang element was brought into the story was a little clunky, though. Also, for the most part the gang members were more frightening than the Gadiantons, might have been better to make them more on par with each other.
Best line in the movie: “You all with the Manti Pageant?” when the Gadiantons walk into the eatery. This might seem “Road Show Humor” but it worked for me. Give Mr. Heimerdinger credit for that.
I also loved Kiddoni's observation: “How can you live after the Messiah and not believe in Him?” This was preaching that would work on both members and non.
Costumes were good, seemed authentic, did not detract. A
Casting was good. That little girl (Sariah?) was adorable with her one line. A
Cinematography was good. (the rack mounted Elk-cam was cheesy.) A-
Acting for the most part was good. Grandpa Lee might have been the best of the bunch. B+
Soundtrack - I was half and half on this. It may have been Sam Cardon's original music that I enjoyed and other artists that I didn't always enjoy. - B
I had heard some people complain that the special effects weren't up to snuff. I was fine with them.
This movie had high production values. Box Office Mojo doesn't disclose its production budget, only its gross revenue. I am certain it hasn't lost as much as The Work and the Glory. But, it's just as good a looking film.
What I didn't like or would try to improve:
Mr. Heimerdinger may have been too involved with the project. He should have gotten someone who has sold a screenplay to help him with that and leave the rest to others. Let someone else direct. If you are going to be in the same shot as your daughter, stand on a box so as to be a little taller.
Grandpa Lee's hair color wasn't right.
Only LDS see the rest of the world as all infested with gangs and such. I don't think a young boy Brock's age would be hanging with the Eminem wannabees twice his age.
Screenplay – too many obvious and cliched plot devices and turns. Of course they get a flat tire while driving to Utah and of course their car barely limps into town. I like to be surprised.
The aunt doesn't have to have 18 kids does she?
Didn't go anywhere with the meme of the uncle's bad short term memory. Use it or get rid of it.
The wrap up is a little abrupt and anticlimactic.
The biggest hurdle that LDS cinema has to overcome, and that other genres don't have is trying to share something with others that is uniquely precious to us and part of our spiritual identity.
LDS cinema has yet to attain 90% of its potential. But, Passage to Zarahemla is a step in the right direction.
23 June 2008
Trek 2008
Although she participated in a Trek experience back in 2004, I was pleased that Jensen wanted to do it again. Since I am serving as Bishop, it's nearly mandatory that I attend and it was nice to have her there. We had a smaller group than last time (due mostly to demographics than lack of interest.) I was also pleased that a large number of kids who attended last time chose to attend this time as well. Sean Carter, Lindsey Irion and Nick DeMann from my family in 2004 participated this time.
I didn't have to be in a family and was called a "floater."I could pretty much do what I wanted. I had one small presentation I was in charge of. The rest was ad hoc filling in where/when needed. I even rode for part of the hiking, probably a total of 4 miles out of 19-20. Tyler Jessop was in charge of driving the truck and trailer pulling the port-o-johns. His father called it a sh**y job. I probably could have done all the hiking. But, it was really nice for my 50 year old feet, ankles, knees and lower back to be able to ride a little. There is no way I could trek from Iowa City to Salt Lake at this age. Like Lenore, I would just wait for the train tracks to be laid.
No rain this time. We really had wonderful weather. Lot's of sun. But, the nights were pretty cold, down into the 20's, a swing of 50 degrees throughout the day. By the third night I was pretty comfortable because I kept increasing my anti cold measures each night. The Leaders ate very well and really didn't feel too guilty about it. Occasionally we would "score" some of our treats for some of the kids, including a Dunford chocolate donut on the last morning for Jeremy Schumann. I was tempted to eat one of these in a bowl covered with whole cream.
The first night, right after the women's pull, we were treated with a glorious full moonrise (the "strawberry moon" sounds kinda romantic doesn't it?) over a slight bit of clouds on the horizon. For those who were awake at the right time, you could watch the moonrise and then set and then the sunrise during the course of the night, all unobstructed by buildings and clouds and lights and such. During our final evening's fireside chat President Daw was interrupted by a herd of cows that wanted to come down the valley and through our camp. They reluctantly turned around.
On the second day of hiking we found a patch of snow near enough to the trail to play in a little. The photographer took pictures of me and Dain and another kid making snow angels. We threw some snow around. I rolled some up in my bandana and tied it around my neck and it kept me cool for a long time.
The testimony meeting Sunday morning was very nice. I was pleased that the kids stayed on topic. It was clear that many of them are very spiritually connected and on the ball.
Here is the letter I wrote to Jens for Trek.
I didn't have to be in a family and was called a "floater."I could pretty much do what I wanted. I had one small presentation I was in charge of. The rest was ad hoc filling in where/when needed. I even rode for part of the hiking, probably a total of 4 miles out of 19-20. Tyler Jessop was in charge of driving the truck and trailer pulling the port-o-johns. His father called it a sh**y job. I probably could have done all the hiking. But, it was really nice for my 50 year old feet, ankles, knees and lower back to be able to ride a little. There is no way I could trek from Iowa City to Salt Lake at this age. Like Lenore, I would just wait for the train tracks to be laid.
No rain this time. We really had wonderful weather. Lot's of sun. But, the nights were pretty cold, down into the 20's, a swing of 50 degrees throughout the day. By the third night I was pretty comfortable because I kept increasing my anti cold measures each night. The Leaders ate very well and really didn't feel too guilty about it. Occasionally we would "score" some of our treats for some of the kids, including a Dunford chocolate donut on the last morning for Jeremy Schumann. I was tempted to eat one of these in a bowl covered with whole cream.
The first night, right after the women's pull, we were treated with a glorious full moonrise (the "strawberry moon" sounds kinda romantic doesn't it?) over a slight bit of clouds on the horizon. For those who were awake at the right time, you could watch the moonrise and then set and then the sunrise during the course of the night, all unobstructed by buildings and clouds and lights and such. During our final evening's fireside chat President Daw was interrupted by a herd of cows that wanted to come down the valley and through our camp. They reluctantly turned around.
On the second day of hiking we found a patch of snow near enough to the trail to play in a little. The photographer took pictures of me and Dain and another kid making snow angels. We threw some snow around. I rolled some up in my bandana and tied it around my neck and it kept me cool for a long time.
The testimony meeting Sunday morning was very nice. I was pleased that the kids stayed on topic. It was clear that many of them are very spiritually connected and on the ball.
Here is the letter I wrote to Jens for Trek.
06 June 2008
31 May 2008
American Idols
Jensen graduated from Murray High School on Friday. Her GPA for this term was 3.7 probably her lowest in High School. Her overall High School GPA was higher I think.
This picture is with her good friend Diana Madrian, Sterling scholar in Art from Murray.
She has 4 more classes to take at SLCC to graduate at the end of the summer. Only 49 other students at Murray were completing this.
In the fall she is planning on one big lollapalooza, no classes. May go to England.
The graduation ceremony wasn't too grueling. It seemed like they were reading the names rather slow. But, still it took only about an hour. I've been to worse.
The funniest thing in the world happened to Jensen as she was approaching the podium to receive her diploma. A stranger woman in the audience leaned out and reached toward her with her arm and asked her where she got her shoes!
Poor David Archuleta was in the audience and people wouldn't leave him alone.
Afterward we went to eat at TGIFriday's and we kinda decided that they have better hamburgers than Red Robin. Their brownie fudge sundae dessert thingy was really good too.
This picture is with her good friend Diana Madrian, Sterling scholar in Art from Murray.
She has 4 more classes to take at SLCC to graduate at the end of the summer. Only 49 other students at Murray were completing this.
In the fall she is planning on one big lollapalooza, no classes. May go to England.
The graduation ceremony wasn't too grueling. It seemed like they were reading the names rather slow. But, still it took only about an hour. I've been to worse.
The funniest thing in the world happened to Jensen as she was approaching the podium to receive her diploma. A stranger woman in the audience leaned out and reached toward her with her arm and asked her where she got her shoes!
Poor David Archuleta was in the audience and people wouldn't leave him alone.
Afterward we went to eat at TGIFriday's and we kinda decided that they have better hamburgers than Red Robin. Their brownie fudge sundae dessert thingy was really good too.
27 May 2008
In UnremarkableMemoriam
Memorial Day was somewhat unremarkable. It was very rainy almost all of the day. We managed to finish our yard cleanup project involving a huge green waste trailer from Murray City. We did this yard work during the one major break in the rain. For a short while I thought I might go for a bike ride. But, within a half hour it was pouring again. I'm glad my lazy self prevented me from getting caught in a downpour. Laney and I found that on the Science Channel they were running back to back episodes of “How it's Made.” This kept us entertained for a couple of hours while I chewed on sunflower seeds.
We went to Leslie's for dinner and spent a good amount of time in the hot tub. Here you can see the girls showing how “hot” they are. If you look closely there is steam billowing from them.
After dinner literally about 10 of us ended up in Leslie's room on her bed watching the first disc of Arrested Development. It's a good thing I work full time. I seem to be unable to stop eating when I am at home. At work I can control how much food I have access to.
My talk on Sunday went pretty well I think. Lenore and I also sang with Brenda Christensen. Boyd Jensen says that Beverly is not doing well. He had a number of grandchildren there visiting. Ruth Palmer has cancer and is not planning on treating it. I probably will be doing both their funerals soon.
We went to Leslie's for dinner and spent a good amount of time in the hot tub. Here you can see the girls showing how “hot” they are. If you look closely there is steam billowing from them.
After dinner literally about 10 of us ended up in Leslie's room on her bed watching the first disc of Arrested Development. It's a good thing I work full time. I seem to be unable to stop eating when I am at home. At work I can control how much food I have access to.
My talk on Sunday went pretty well I think. Lenore and I also sang with Brenda Christensen. Boyd Jensen says that Beverly is not doing well. He had a number of grandchildren there visiting. Ruth Palmer has cancer and is not planning on treating it. I probably will be doing both their funerals soon.
25 May 2008
There Can Only Be One
We had a great time the other night when we realized that one of the baddest characters in cinematic history, "the Kurgan":
is none other than:
Eugene H. Krabs
is none other than:
Eugene H. Krabs
20 May 2008
Day 18358
A goal I've had for some time is doing 100 miles in under 5 hours. So I decided to try. This might have been easier if I had a fast group of friends to do it with. Anyway, probably within the first 5 miles or so I managed to get in with a fairly big group for the next 30 miles. The leader was a husband and wife on a co-motion tandem. I spent most of the time right on their tail and there were many riders behind us. I took a couple of turns pulling for them. But, they did most of the work and seemed happy to do it.
After the first feed station, I got a flat right away. So, I lost the small group I was with. It didn't take too long to fix it and luckily I had no more problems. It took another little while to hook up with some other people. One of the guys was on a Titanium Torelli. I passed him and then he passed me and I stayed on his tail.
Usually, the Antelope Island Causeway is just horrible. Headwinds both ways. But, you couldn't have asked for better weather for this ride. If there was any wind it was only a whiff. At the 50 mile point just before the causeway, my average speed was 21.7. By the time I had gone the next 20 miles it dropped to 21.4. I stayed with groups across the causeway and then we broke up going around the island because of the climbing. Then coming down the last hill leaving the island I hooked up with 2 other guys and soon a fourth joined us crossing back to the mainland.
I saw Jeff Barton and Teal Buchi at the Syracuse feed station at the 70 mile point. I left that point pretty much on my own and started to suffer. After a while, I noticed a guy on my tail for about 5 miles. He eventually pulled forward and we started taking turns pulling. It was just us two for the last leg. We began chatting a little. He was also 50 years old and was trying to make the same goal of better than 20 mph average. His name was Dave from Kaysville and he was on a Litespeed Tuscany. I'm glad I hooked up with this guy because on my own for the last leg, I'm not sure I would have made it. For the last 25 miles I just wanted to get off the bike. I finished 106 miles in 5:11 at an average speed of 20.45.
19 May 2008
04 May 2008
20 April 2008
The Salt Lake City Marathon Bike Tour
Craig and Teal Buchi told me about this ride a couple of years ago and Beth Johnson also recommended it.
It is a little early in the year and they want to get the cyclists out of the way before the marathon starts, so they start the ride at 6am when it is still pretty dark. Thankfully the temperature was pretty nice. There was some fairly strong wind. But, the course is generally downhill with a loss of 575 feet over 25 miles, so I figured it would be fast.
I tried to get together with the Buchis and Jeff Barton to do this ride. But, we didn't hook up. Either way I was going to have to get up early. So I took an ambien and went to bed about 9:30pm. I woke up pretty alert at about 4am out of the blue. After thinking for a while and not feeling very sleepy. I decided to get up and ride up to the U instead of drive.
When I rode last Saturday I went partway up Suncrest. I am such a wimp I didn't even make it to the hardest part. Still farther than I have gone. All the way down I was on my brakes. I guess that wasn't good because last night the cables pulled and loosened the binding screws. I am so glad that didn't happen while descending Suncrest. I tried to repair by rerouting the cables counterclockwise around the screws so it would have a tendency to tighten rather than loosen the screws. However, this severely changes the pulling angle and greatly affects the leverage. I figured this out only shortly into the ride to the Bike Tour start. So I stopped to re-fix. So, I arrived at the start of the ride with about five minutes to spare.
I tried not to push too hard. most of the way there I had a tailwind. I didn't want to start at the back of the pack so I pushed my way into the middle. I wanted to try to call Craig or Jeff. But, didn't feel I had the time. As it was they were late and just exiting the LDS Institute parking lot as we came by. When the ride started, I had about 1:40 or almost a quarter of a mile before I was able to get up to a decent speed because of the crowd and slow riders. I should have arrived earlier and gotten closer to the front of the pack. They said there were about 1900 riders.
Once we got going I felt good and picked out a guy to tail. This was "not a race" and we weren't supposed to draft. But it became apparent pretty quick that a lot of us were racing and drafting. I lost my lead rider when we turned off Foothill to get over to 21st East because he just bombed the downhill. I took it a little easy. We couldn't really see the road well for the first 30 minutes or so. I caught up to him again and really for the most of the rest of the ride he and another guy were in the group I was with.
I would get a little tired but then regain my strength, and just kept thinking I only had to make it to Cotton Bottom because then the wind was at our backs. And boy was I right. After we turned north, we just flew, probably going 27-28 most of the time. Occasionally I felt our group should be going faster. But, then I couldn't even take the lead let alone go off the front. Amateur. I hit one pothole hard that made my handlebars rotate to a lower position. One fellow got slightly stuck in a groove in the road. He didn't get into too much trouble. Another guy right in front of me hit a pothole and went this way and that before regaining control. A few moments later I said, "I'm sure glad you pulled that out." Everyone around me readily agreed.
I lost my group and thereby about 30 seconds off my final time because my cyclocomputer almost fell off and I spent a little time and attention trying to do something about it. As it was, my "official" time was around 1:07:20. To get a better sense of the true speed, I lopped off most of the beginning before I could get up to a normal speed. So, it really ended up to be my fastest ride ever. Even though it was downhill and we had a good tailwind for half of the ride, it is very early in the season. So, I was very pleased with the speed.
I found Craig and Jeff et al at the finish and they offered me a ride home from the U. We had to ride back to the Campus and Craig wanted to take the scenic route which included going up City Creek a ways and doing a lot more work than I had planned on.
23 March 2008
CSI
Quick trip to Las Vegas for Brandon and Kelli's wedding.
The drive wasn't too horrible considering we were only there in the city for about 28 hours.
All of us (Mom and Dad, the Porters, us) had much strife about getting lost and following directions.
We stayed at a nice Hotel and Laney got to swim some in their pool.
We had a very nice time at the Groom's dinner. I got to see Tom Grassley for the first time in probably 31 years and meet his wife. We had fun speaking with them and Steve Andreason.
Jensen watched the little kids at Kelli's house during the dinner. It was hectic because there were a lot of kids. But, she made $$$$ and said she still wants to have lots of kids.
Once we actually found it and arrived, the temple was very nice. The sealer was Pres. Bruce Stucki. I recognized his voice right away from his April 2006 conference talk. Joey stole the show when he came in to be sealed to them. He was looking around and waving, not paying attention at all to the ceremony. But, it was very touching to contemplate the great blessing this is to him.
The drive wasn't too horrible considering we were only there in the city for about 28 hours.
All of us (Mom and Dad, the Porters, us) had much strife about getting lost and following directions.
We stayed at a nice Hotel and Laney got to swim some in their pool.
We had a very nice time at the Groom's dinner. I got to see Tom Grassley for the first time in probably 31 years and meet his wife. We had fun speaking with them and Steve Andreason.
Jensen watched the little kids at Kelli's house during the dinner. It was hectic because there were a lot of kids. But, she made $$$$ and said she still wants to have lots of kids.
Once we actually found it and arrived, the temple was very nice. The sealer was Pres. Bruce Stucki. I recognized his voice right away from his April 2006 conference talk. Joey stole the show when he came in to be sealed to them. He was looking around and waving, not paying attention at all to the ceremony. But, it was very touching to contemplate the great blessing this is to him.
08 March 2008
Gioacchino Rossini
Laney had a "great day" on Wednesday. To celebrate Dr. Seuss' birthday they had a green eggs and ham breakfast at school. It was a little bit of a fiasco because they found out late that they didn't have authorization to deal with raw eggs in their cafeteria. They soon got someone on sight who was duly trained in the proper handling of all things ovoid and able to spot salmonella bacteria with the naked eye at ten paces and the kids were adequately pleased.
I know the Health department has to worry about making people ill. But, how many lame brains handle eggs every day? Besides I'll bet the green dye kills all germs:)
In the evening all three girls went to a dress rehearsal of "Cenerentola." That's Italian for "little girl who sits in the cinders and goes to dances in glass slippers." Laney was especially excited. I am just glad she was able to sit through almost three hours of it without really being able to understand what was going on. She couldn't read the subtitles very fast, I'm sure. But, then young imaginations are probably pretty good at filling in the blanks when they don't have all the information. All three girls loved it and especially enjoyed seeing Lenore's brother, Dan in the chorus.
Late last night I was switching channels on the tube and came across the first "three Tenors" performance from 1990. I remember Ed showing this to us when they visited once. (He's not really into Opera. But, had really enjoyed watching the interaction of the singers and the conductor.) I watched it again simply for this aspect. I will have to make the big kids watch it for kicks. The setting at the Baths in Caracalla is magnificent.
I know the Health department has to worry about making people ill. But, how many lame brains handle eggs every day? Besides I'll bet the green dye kills all germs:)
In the evening all three girls went to a dress rehearsal of "Cenerentola." That's Italian for "little girl who sits in the cinders and goes to dances in glass slippers." Laney was especially excited. I am just glad she was able to sit through almost three hours of it without really being able to understand what was going on. She couldn't read the subtitles very fast, I'm sure. But, then young imaginations are probably pretty good at filling in the blanks when they don't have all the information. All three girls loved it and especially enjoyed seeing Lenore's brother, Dan in the chorus.
Late last night I was switching channels on the tube and came across the first "three Tenors" performance from 1990. I remember Ed showing this to us when they visited once. (He's not really into Opera. But, had really enjoyed watching the interaction of the singers and the conductor.) I watched it again simply for this aspect. I will have to make the big kids watch it for kicks. The setting at the Baths in Caracalla is magnificent.
04 March 2008
Jensen Morp (Prom) Picture - Alice and the Mad Hatter
So Jensen's date shows up to get her for the dance and I'm getting acquainted. It turns out to be one of the Young Men in our ward whom I have never met before. We invited him and his family to Church.
26 February 2008
Letter from Mommy
Fifty years ago!!!
I remember it well. We were living in Bell, California in a little 2 bedroom apartment at 6524 B Loma Vista Place. (Karl and Diana LeSueur also lived in the same little apartment complex.)
I was expecting you sometime around 27 March 1958. On Dec 26, 1957, I began hemorrhaging. Fortunately, I had elected to go to Dr Richard Clark who was the head of obstetrics at Hollywood Presbyterian Hospital. He was highly recommended and was LDS. However, it was about a 45 minute drive each way. I don’t remember if he had me come into the office or not. My memory is fuzzy on that. He did tell me that I most likely had Placenta Previa and that I would need to stay down as long as possible. If I could just make it to 34 weeks that the chances of survival for the baby would be greater. My mother came to help and the sisters of the Relief Society were there a lot. On the morning of Feb 11, 1958,1 got out of bed to go to the bathroom and hemorrhaged a large amount of blood. Craig called Dr Clark and he told us to get to the hospital as quickly as possible. We had the old Chevy station wagon at the time and Dr Clark told Craig to make a bed for me in the back and that I was not to sit up at all. With ‘break neck’ speed, Craig got me there and they took me in for an emergency C section.
At the time, Dr Clark was one of the few doctors who was doing a low horizontal incision rather than a vertical incision. The reason being that any future pregnancies would be less likely to rupture the uterus. He told me I would be able to wear a bikini again, too!! Yeah, sure.
They immediately gave me demerol and an epidural. Not many doctors were trained to administer epidurals at that time. He was one of the few. I was awake during the surgery and Dr Clark said I could watch in the mirror above the operating table if I wanted to. That wasn’t too appealing to me, so I declined. I could feel a lot of pulling and pushing going on but otherwise felt fine. I did hear the doctors conversation as they were delivering you. They commented that the umbilical cord was unusually small, about the size of a pencil. One doctor wondered if you might have been oxygen deprived. I think you just conserved your energy because you were very quiet in the womb. They certainly didn’t need to worry about your lack of oxygen —just look at you now and how smart you are!! I told everyone that the Lord wanted you here for a purpose and that you would probably be another David 0 McKay (or at least a Bishop).
You were pretty big for being 7 weeks early. They didn’t weigh you for a few days because you were so fragile. I think they told us that it would be “touch and go” for awhile until they could get you stabilized. We had to leave you in the hospital and in an incubator for 16 days! That was the hard part, especially since we only had one car and we lived so far away. So if you have had any “bonding” issues with your parents that may be the reason why. Hospitals weren’t allowing fathers in delivery rooms or parents in the incubator rooms.
We were left with a hospital bill of $2000 and NO insurance. You were worth every penny!!
We are so grateful that you were sent to us. You are truly a gift from our Father in Heaven. It was a miracle that we both survived. Dr Clark told me that I had lost over 1000 cc of blood and that he had only had one other patient in 10y that had lost that much and survived.
We love you and the wonderful wife you have chosen and our lovely granddaughters!!
PS Karl LeSueur still teases me to this day about the hemorrhaging. We were at their apartment that night playing Hearts when it started. I was losing so he said I had to do this extreme thing to get out of playing with them.
I remember it well. We were living in Bell, California in a little 2 bedroom apartment at 6524 B Loma Vista Place. (Karl and Diana LeSueur also lived in the same little apartment complex.)
I was expecting you sometime around 27 March 1958. On Dec 26, 1957, I began hemorrhaging. Fortunately, I had elected to go to Dr Richard Clark who was the head of obstetrics at Hollywood Presbyterian Hospital. He was highly recommended and was LDS. However, it was about a 45 minute drive each way. I don’t remember if he had me come into the office or not. My memory is fuzzy on that. He did tell me that I most likely had Placenta Previa and that I would need to stay down as long as possible. If I could just make it to 34 weeks that the chances of survival for the baby would be greater. My mother came to help and the sisters of the Relief Society were there a lot. On the morning of Feb 11, 1958,1 got out of bed to go to the bathroom and hemorrhaged a large amount of blood. Craig called Dr Clark and he told us to get to the hospital as quickly as possible. We had the old Chevy station wagon at the time and Dr Clark told Craig to make a bed for me in the back and that I was not to sit up at all. With ‘break neck’ speed, Craig got me there and they took me in for an emergency C section.
At the time, Dr Clark was one of the few doctors who was doing a low horizontal incision rather than a vertical incision. The reason being that any future pregnancies would be less likely to rupture the uterus. He told me I would be able to wear a bikini again, too!! Yeah, sure.
They immediately gave me demerol and an epidural. Not many doctors were trained to administer epidurals at that time. He was one of the few. I was awake during the surgery and Dr Clark said I could watch in the mirror above the operating table if I wanted to. That wasn’t too appealing to me, so I declined. I could feel a lot of pulling and pushing going on but otherwise felt fine. I did hear the doctors conversation as they were delivering you. They commented that the umbilical cord was unusually small, about the size of a pencil. One doctor wondered if you might have been oxygen deprived. I think you just conserved your energy because you were very quiet in the womb. They certainly didn’t need to worry about your lack of oxygen —just look at you now and how smart you are!! I told everyone that the Lord wanted you here for a purpose and that you would probably be another David 0 McKay (or at least a Bishop).
You were pretty big for being 7 weeks early. They didn’t weigh you for a few days because you were so fragile. I think they told us that it would be “touch and go” for awhile until they could get you stabilized. We had to leave you in the hospital and in an incubator for 16 days! That was the hard part, especially since we only had one car and we lived so far away. So if you have had any “bonding” issues with your parents that may be the reason why. Hospitals weren’t allowing fathers in delivery rooms or parents in the incubator rooms.
We were left with a hospital bill of $2000 and NO insurance. You were worth every penny!!
We are so grateful that you were sent to us. You are truly a gift from our Father in Heaven. It was a miracle that we both survived. Dr Clark told me that I had lost over 1000 cc of blood and that he had only had one other patient in 10y that had lost that much and survived.
We love you and the wonderful wife you have chosen and our lovely granddaughters!!
PS Karl LeSueur still teases me to this day about the hemorrhaging. We were at their apartment that night playing Hearts when it started. I was losing so he said I had to do this extreme thing to get out of playing with them.
24 February 2008
Mindy and Shaun Hoke Wedding - Mondo Bizarro/Mormon Philotic Web Redux
We just returned from a very nice but very quick trip to California for the Wedding of nephew Shaun Hoke.
Lenore and I were originally thinking of flying down. But we waited too long and the fares increased. I am certainly glad the brown car works dependably enough to keep making these trips.
Although Lenore was in the midst of a cold she suffered through and I think had some fun.
We stayed with Wade and Kimberly, which I don't think we have ever done. It was very nice and fun. I had about a pound of bacon at breakfast Saturday morning. I had thought of bringing my bike and trying to get a ride in. I didn't. But, could have. Saturday morning after breakfast, I took a nap for a little while. I didn't feel like doing anything.
We met Mindy's family at the dinner Friday night. They were very nice and in many ways reflected and intersected our own family. She has a sister who looks a lot like Lauren. Her mother resembles Kim and her grandmother resembles Bonnie. In fact, Bonnie dated her grandfather (not such a big deal dad says because she dated everyone.) Mindy's great uncle was engaged to Dawna Rozsa when he left on his mission and then his brother (Mindy's grandfather introduced her to Claire Rosza.
One of Mindy's uncles served a two week training mission in the Orange III ward when Wade was Stake Mission president and in fact he resembles Wade.
We got to see Aron. This was the first time Laney has seen him, we think. Chris Hoke was also there. In fact, he missed the birth of a child by a couple of hours because he was in town for the wedding. This is the first time I have seen him in a couple of years and Saturday night he showed me his Super Bowl XL ring and let me touch it.
Brandon and Kelly were there with Joey. Kelly's adoption of Joey was final last week and we got their wedding announcement just a couple of days later.
When grandma and grandpa saw Joey they rhetorically asked him what was happening next month. Kelly had to remind him and then he said, "Oh yeah, we are adopting Brandon!"
The Temple was very nice. We had a tough time being quiet enough in the waiting room and also outside waiting for the couple to emerge.
As always it was great to see California. There is just something about the place, like it is heaven in waiting. Although it rained a little, I'm sure it was much better than Utah. When I napped on Saturday morning I was so groggy and it was quite peaceful. There was very little noise and I didn't feel like there was much pressing for my time.
I enjoyed listening to the roundtable discussion from the latest leadership broadcast on the way down and we all enjoyed Victor Borge on the way back.
Lenore and I were originally thinking of flying down. But we waited too long and the fares increased. I am certainly glad the brown car works dependably enough to keep making these trips.
Although Lenore was in the midst of a cold she suffered through and I think had some fun.
We stayed with Wade and Kimberly, which I don't think we have ever done. It was very nice and fun. I had about a pound of bacon at breakfast Saturday morning. I had thought of bringing my bike and trying to get a ride in. I didn't. But, could have. Saturday morning after breakfast, I took a nap for a little while. I didn't feel like doing anything.
We met Mindy's family at the dinner Friday night. They were very nice and in many ways reflected and intersected our own family. She has a sister who looks a lot like Lauren. Her mother resembles Kim and her grandmother resembles Bonnie. In fact, Bonnie dated her grandfather (not such a big deal dad says because she dated everyone.) Mindy's great uncle was engaged to Dawna Rozsa when he left on his mission and then his brother (Mindy's grandfather introduced her to Claire Rosza.
One of Mindy's uncles served a two week training mission in the Orange III ward when Wade was Stake Mission president and in fact he resembles Wade.
We got to see Aron. This was the first time Laney has seen him, we think. Chris Hoke was also there. In fact, he missed the birth of a child by a couple of hours because he was in town for the wedding. This is the first time I have seen him in a couple of years and Saturday night he showed me his Super Bowl XL ring and let me touch it.
Brandon and Kelly were there with Joey. Kelly's adoption of Joey was final last week and we got their wedding announcement just a couple of days later.
When grandma and grandpa saw Joey they rhetorically asked him what was happening next month. Kelly had to remind him and then he said, "Oh yeah, we are adopting Brandon!"
The Temple was very nice. We had a tough time being quiet enough in the waiting room and also outside waiting for the couple to emerge.
As always it was great to see California. There is just something about the place, like it is heaven in waiting. Although it rained a little, I'm sure it was much better than Utah. When I napped on Saturday morning I was so groggy and it was quite peaceful. There was very little noise and I didn't feel like there was much pressing for my time.
I enjoyed listening to the roundtable discussion from the latest leadership broadcast on the way down and we all enjoyed Victor Borge on the way back.
18 February 2008
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
