Christmas 2013

Christmas 2013

The weather has officially changed here in Utah. That must mean Christmas is nearing and I need to write something. I find myself at work often standing up from my desk to stretch. I make my way over to the south facing windows to catch a glimpse of the Sun low in the horizon and gaze out over the permafrost. I imagine the look on my face probably approaches that of a pet-store animal longing for liberty and the warmth of some other clime. It is often during these moments of quiet introspection that I receive inspiration on a new hair comb-over technique I should try.

Lenore's time this year has mostly been consumed with being fabulous. She excels and there's not much left after that. We have the whole Salt Lake Smith family together weekly for dinner. Lenore cooks every other week and does a wonderful job as hostess of these lovely get-togethers. She is still teaching and cleaning and sometimes gets a paycheck.

As a family we have enjoyed a couple of trips to Saint George (to visit grandma and grandpa Lillywhite) and our annual vacation in San Clemente pretending that we are still Californians. When we stop at the Agricultural Inspection checkpoint in Yermo on our way into the Southland, the agents look over our papers with the assiduity of a former Soviet era border guard and examine us and our belongings thoroughly with a steely eye. It is getting increasingly harder to prove we are cool enough to enter. Maybe if we ditch the 18-year old car for something newer and make sure we top off our suntans before vacation.

Earlier in the Spring Ailsa signed with a literary agent. And, once again we have high hopes that she will soon be joining the published set. She is a prodigious writer. So, whoever eventually gets her has a bunch of editing and marketing to look forward to. She is applying to law school for next year. She already thinks she is smarter than the rest of us. Maybe soon she will have proof. Unfortunately she has fallen victim to the malaise of the “X” Generation. Meaning eXcept for our lousy economy she could have a really good job by now. She's working as a barista, and we like to tease her by ordering strange decaf chai lattes and such from her drive-up window... then we don't leave a tip and instead leave a note about how we are religious people and don't approve of her lifestyle.

Jensen is set to graduate from BYU right before Christmas with a major in Theater Arts and a minor in Illustration (what was I saying earlier about a good job?) In reality she has had some great experiences along the way. She has worked with a BAFTA award winner and on a show that was EMMY nominated and also on an animated short that won a student EMMY. We are planning on contacting the world record folks because she will end up with 221 college credits, no kidding. She could have a PhD with that much school attendance. Early in the New Year she plans to begin her missionary service. We REALLY will miss having her around. She comes home often from Provo and always brightens up the home like a flood of sunshine. She belongs to Generation “Y”. “WHY are you still in school?” But, we love having her around.

Laney actually is smarter than the rest of us and would really like us all to just accept that fact and submit humbly and peacefully to her rule. She completely enjoyed daily surfing sessions on our vacation this year. She was quite game even on the gloomy cold mornings. “Kiddo” is Generation Z, as in video game Zombie. She is fully-plugged-in-tuned-out-victim-of-the-blue-pill matricized. We could feel more justified in curbing these extracurricular activities if she weren't otherwise such a good student.

As we move each year through the tedious, the trivial, and the mundane we often find real gems of love and beauty and aspect. They surround us always, although they are usually met with our ignorance and inattention. We take this moment to step back and recognize that we have seen breathtaking views of the heavens and the wonder of the earth. We have been made to reflect on the greatness of those who have lived among us and have slipped our grasp. We believe these experiences are common to man. Thus, you have also seen that sunset during that same time of evening and that same time of year. You have breathed the scent of salt water in the air. You have felt the loss of people great and dear. You have felt the blessing of being His children and heirs to His glory. We hope you feel as abundantly blessed in these events as we do. We don't know what awaits us from God. But, know it is even better than this.

“At the end of things, The Blessed will say, “We have never lived anywhere except in Heaven.” C.S. Lewis

The Lillywhites

Jensen Costume Pictures

Click here.

Letter to Teal Buchi

We moved into Murray in September 1991. You may not know we were in the South Cottonwood ward with your family until a ward boundary change in June of 1995. I remember meeting Craig at a ward softball game soon after we moved in.

It wasn't long after that we had some kind of Ward activity, maybe a dinner or something. Afterward there were some young men playing basketball and Craig and I started shooting baskets with them. Soon enough the young men (I think it was Mark Boyle and one of the Baugh kids) challenged us to a two-on-two game. Well, we were way out of practice and out of playing shape. I was 34 or 35 and Craig was two years older and we felt like the younger fresher kids had a big advantage over us. We played hard and pulled out a win. Craig was very happy with that and several times over the years he or I would bring it up in our conversation. “Remember when we beat those young bucks?”

I have been a cycling aficionado at some level or another since my college years. In 1995 I started commuting regularly to and from work. I did this pretty consistently during the warmer part of the year until 2002 when I had my own accident with a car. About five times at least I saw Craig driving home from work or somewhere else while I was on my bike. Almost every time he would say “you've got to help me get a bike so I can get out and start riding” or something similar. It was very heartening to see you and your dad get into cycling and do so well and enjoy it so much.

More often than not I ride alone. When I did ride with others your dad was probably my most consistent partner. Your dad seemed to stay in top form pretty much year round. I let myself get out of shape in the winter. He was still happy to ride with me when I wasn't up to snuff.

There were many good rides/memories with your dad. The most memorable is similar to the story you told of riding with him at Bear Lake. It was early September a year ago. I had gone out by myself and was trying for a new PB on my favorite route. Craig encountered me when I was about 18 miles into my ride and we were coming back on 7^th east. We were stopped by the light at 114^th south and I told him I was trying to go as fast as possible. So we traded pulls and encouraged each other on and averaged about 25/26 mph the rest of the way home. It was a glorious ride. I will always remember the farewell salutes and handshakes as we parted ways after each ride at his last turn for home: "Great riding with you. Catch you next time.”

Teal, you may be inclined to give up road cycling, and if you do I completely understand. But, if you continue and ever need someone to ride with I am happy and honored  to share the road with you.

The Gospel can provide us with great solace at times like these.  It is true. Heavenly Father lives. Jesus is our Savior. They have provided a way for us to return to Celestial glory. While I am deeply saddened by our loss, I am comforted greatly by the fact that I will be able to associate again with your fantastic father when I make my last turn for Home.

The Hole Left by His Passing

Monday morning looking at some Salt Lake news articles I saw one about a local cyclist who was killed in a crash. It gave his age and I briefly thought if I knew who it could be. Later, Laverne Storch messaged me that it was Craig Buchi. It took a little while for the fact to sink in. This news was devastating.

I called Lenore and cried a little. I went home early and wept some more during dinner. Craig is probably the closest thing I have to a friend outside of family, excluding Kyle Christensen and Steve and Michelle Young and perhaps some others. He was my go-to guy for a bike riding partner. I think we only rode once this year (since I was riding WAY more consistently in the morning our schedules didn't really match up well this year.)

I met Craig shortly after we moved to Murray. We were in the same ward for the first couple of years. He used to see me riding to and from work and say that he needed to get into cycling. It was really good to see him and Teal take to it so well. Craig and I were quite well matched on the bike. So, he was a good one to ride with. Lately, he had been trying to find a convenient time to borrow our tandem bike so Tina could try it out with him.

Such a great loss. I am deeply saddened for the missed future opportunities to associate with him. He was such a good man, very amiable, very easy going. I think a big hole will go unfilled for some time.

San Clemente 2013

We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves in San Clemente again last month. We were able to drive the Brown Explorer again. But, I'm not so sure it is “fresh” enough (with 185,000 miles) to make the trip again loaded down with all the family and stuff.

Since Laney has gotten to the point where she is pretty good in the water and was quite game at trying the surfboard last year, I decided to do a lot more surfing. Pretty consistently throughout the Spring I exercised my upper body as much as I could find time for so that I would be able to do the work part of surfing without too much trouble and concentrate on getting back into it. I think that really paid off and I recommend that approach to anyone thinking of trying surfing, prepare first by getting a little bit of upper body strength.

I had to spend Sunday evening rounding up the surfboards again. But, we had a very nice time visiting with Sean and his family and Kim and the Sister missionaries who were visiting her. We also bought a $100 Costco soft top surfboard to round out our quiver and provide one board that was a little less dangerous. I managed to surf a little every day, usually only for an hour or hour and a half (it's a lot of work for a 55 year old man.) The waves were quite small the WHOLE time. But, that is probably best. The upshot of that is that I only went bodysurfing on the first Saturday afternoon, right after we arrived.

The kids also had fun surfing. It looked like there might be a little bit of a rise in the surf on the last Thursday. So, we got up early and went to Doheny before 6am. I had stopped by there on my bike ride the day before and there were pretty consistent 2 foot-ish waves and a LOT of people on the one break next to the jetty. Still, it looked like fun. So, I was hoping the kids would also get to experience that place. No such luck. The waves were only about 6 inches when we showed up.

So, we went to Olds Man's (still quite early in the morning.) There was only one break really doing anything there too and about 30-40 people surfing it. We paddled out into extremely cold water and I caught a couple of waves and so did Ailsa and Jensen. But, then I turned to Ailsa and I said it was a lot more fun at the SC pier. So, we packed up and got donuts in town and called it a day.

We did see a lot of birds feeding most days. Especially one day while we were out surfing it seemed every 15 seconds or so a pelican or a tern was diving for a catch.

The second Sunday we went to Kim's ward in Fountain Valley because Roan Naumann was getting blessed. So, it was fun to attend that and then go to Kim's and see everyone, have yummy food, and ditch the last part of the Sunday meetings.

The last day there always borders on a little melancholy. Most of us walked down to Riviera beach and just enjoyed being together.

I did not see the old running man this year.

Hoaxsters

When the environmental movement first started, the bugaboo was "pollution." Who can be for pollution? I think it didn't take long to realize two things. Pollution is really more a third world problem than a first world problem. That is not to say that we don't pollute. But our pollution as compared to our output is very low. Nations who are struggling to come out of poverty lay a heavy burden on their environments. Look at India and China. So, fighting pollution hurts the wrong people. Also, there is more money to be made in the environmental industry from the richer nations. So, the bugaboo became "global warming" and then "climate change." That makes the industrialized nations the culprits and the marks. Problem is the whole movement seems to be losing traction. I think we have swung back to "pollution." Just today I have heard or seen the word two or three times in news stories. Keep an ear to the ground.

NSA and the Verizon Phone Records

Back in the day this would get you an en suite at Leavenworth.

I think we need a do over. I'm not sure we can get back to where we need to be by just rolling back things. It's going to take a do over. Things are so far gone.

Kimber 2013

Bring Him Home

He's like the son I might have known, If God had granted me a son.

Jens has been having a lot of fun with her Theater make up class. She came home last night sporting this beard. So we decided to do a side by side comparison. I didn't realize how much she is trying to emulate her father.

Majestic Tommy

Screen Caps from Church Training Video

These appear at about the 7:20 and 7:43 marks in one of the recent Church Worldwide Leadership Training videos found here.


In this shot Jensen is just to the right of Elder Ballard. You can also see Lenore's cousins Laura Nilson in front of Jensen and Katy Litton with the dark glasses looking toward Laura. And Joan is down in the very left hand corner.


Here Darrell is just taking his seat after they had grandchildren of Joseph F. Smith stand to be recognized. Also visible are Sajid (smirking at the camera and having been conscientious enough to remove his hat even though he is ultra self-aware of his baldness) Sarah, Ameer, Joan, Melissa, and behind Darrell, barely visible are me and Laney.

Picture from Lane's first day at Kimber

I can't stop thinking about the Chicken Biryani

One of my most favoritest nieces got engaged this weekend. Shazia and Taylor met sometime last fall. Most notably they were part of a youth group that went to Nevada in October to rally the troops for Romney. From the day we met Taylor we liked him and they have been pretty much inseparable since the start.

Their engagement wasn't any huge surprise. They have been planning and talking about it for a couple of weeks. They really just needed the right time for Rashid to come out from Petaluma to meet Taylor and to make it all official.

Saturday night we met at the Aroma of India restaurant for the engagement announcement. Now, I'm not big on spicy food, especially Middle Eastern spicy. But, the food was VERY good. It was especially fun for Rashid, I think, because our waiter was from Lahore (Rashid is from Sialkot) and he spoke Punjabi with Rashid. Right at the start the waiter asked me who was in charge. I told him Darrell was paying the bill, but perhaps Rashid should be in charge. I didn't know they would essentially be countrymen.

Rashid said he had some trouble with the Punjabi (maybe it has been awhile.) But, they seemed to get along just fine and not involving Darrell in the ordering process was probably a good idea.

I think our party of 17 overwhelmed them a little. It took awhile for the food to start coming in adequate quantities. But, once again it was very tasty, especially the Chicken Biryani. The bill came to $500. So, thank you! Darrell.

Right as we were gathering to leave our waiter asked me what ward I was from. I wasn't sure I understood him correctly. We chatted for a bit. He told me his name was Ashraf Pius. He was a convert to the Church and he had been the translator for the Book of Mormon into Urdu. I explained to him about our wedding party and that Shazia is 3rd great grand daughter of Hyrum Smith while Taylor is 3rd great grand son of John Taylor.

Showshoeing

For a long time I've wondered what snowshoeing was like. We got a chance to try it out recently with the Kimber school. On 15 Feb I took of work around noon and we went up to Midway to try it out. The weather was sunny (had been for a while) with no new snow on the ground. So, we didn't get the full benefit of the experience. But, we had fun and a good workout and the weather was about as good as we could have asked for. I took one of my layers off and carried it with me. Probably only walked about two miles at the most.

We got home and hurried to get ready and meet the Youngs at MichelAngelo's restaurant. We hadn't been to their new location (just slightly north of and across the street from the old Villa theater.) The food was quite good, although I like my Carbonara better. And they have really good house bread that comes in huge loaves they sell for $6 each.

We wanted to get a movie at Redbox. We were looking for “Seeking a Friend for the End of the World.” The boxes at our Fresh market were all checked out of it. Turns out that was a good thing because we saw it later with Jensen and Ailsa and it was pretty raunchy and not that entertaining. We got Flight instead. It was also a little raunchy. But, much more entertaining.

Paper Faces on Parade

This production was VERY well done. Jensen was working behind the scenes (as part of one of her theater classes.) We went to the very last performance and Jensen gave us a tour backstage before we went to dinner. We couldn't resist taking some pictures.

Vocally the students were very good, especially Carlotta and Piangi and Phantom and Christine and Raoul, probably in that order. Carlotta showed off a couple of times by throwing out some notes that you normally just don't sing, more like in the auditory range of canines. There were occasions when I wanted more power from the singing of the principles (and let's face it also from the organ and the orchestra.) But, these are college students who haven't fully matured in their performance abilities.

They actually hanged Buquet (not a dummy.) Jensen says it was a first. And I must say it did add to the anxiety.

They did a number of staging and emoting additions/changes that REALLY helped the exposition and helped with understanding the motivation of the characters. Lenore said it put the story on the same level as the music. Whereas in the past the music was always the star.

Here I am doing my best ailing Vicomte de Chagny impression, getting ready to bid on lot 665.

Cycling 2012

For the last couple of years I haven't done as well at my cycling. Oh nine, 2010 and 2011 are my worst years in a long time. Mostly, I have attributed this to being older than Bob Hope. I decided to redouble my efforts this year and I am very pleased with how things went.

Just reviewing my stats, I realized I did MUCH better than the recent past and on par or perhaps even better than my best years of 06-07-08.

Some numbers: highest year mileage total (4409.38, I did this mostly with just consistently getting miles in as often as possible, no one week was more than 184 miles, and most were in the 130-140 range); second highest MPH average (but only .07 MPH behind my best, and if not for a relatively disastrous two weeks at San Clemente, I would have bested it by about .05 MPH); more miles in each month from April to October (except July, didn't want to try for another 1000 mile month) than in any other corresponding month previously; fastest “solo” ride ever (I'm giving myself the benefit of the doubt because I ran into Craig Buchi and rode with him for the last 9 miles of the ride); three other rides in my top ten fastest solo rides; and fastest avg speed for the month 20.91 mph in September. Just to mention a few.

My highest ranking on BikeJournal came in September when I was at position 714 out of 49,397 riders.

I did quite a bit of tandem riding with Ameer mostly and we finally started turning in some good speeds. Even made it over 21 MPH average for one ride.

I had a couple of days in the middle of July within a week of each other where I did two separate rides (each day) for day totals in 54-59 mile range where I also had very good speed, comparable to my epic 60 time trial I did in Parker, AZ in 2006.

I was introduced to Strava.com by Craig and Teal Buchi and really enjoyed tracking my rides on that site. I am still listed in 7th place out of 471 on my favorite segment.

I did three organized rides: the ULCER ride (metric distance) with Ameer on the tandem; the Fall Tour de Saint George with Stuart; and the Salt to Saint Relay.

This last was quite fun. But, also kinda grueling since I didn't sleep for 36 hours and drove and rode 700 miles and was a little ill. We did well for a novice team and averaged 19.8 MPH.

One thing I did learn is that miles do count. (If you want to ride fast, ride more.)

One last item: I finally moved on from my old steel Bianchi frame that I have had for 15+ years. More than a year ago Teal Buchi tried to interest me in buying a Time carbon frame that he had. It took a while to get him and Craig to be desperate enough to come down to my price. There weren't too many other people out there who would want an extra large frame. So, I figured if I just bided my time, it would work to my advantage. I am very happy with the new bike. I didn't have to change out any of my components. Everything transferred over just fine. While the old frame was very light for a steel frame, the new frame is about 1.75 pounds lighter, quite amazing. After selling the old frame and fork, I was only out of pocket about $400. So pretty good deal.

Let's see what happens in 2013.