Running Commentary

This Is What Dads Are For

2010-07-29T07:28:00.001-07:00

Ruthie likes to squat while reading books. This is what happens when she reads a book right after getting out of the shower before we put a diaper on her.

"Mommy daddy poo poo! Poo poo on floor!"

Lost, Now Found

2010-03-04T10:34:00.000-08:00

Sometimes it's nice having sub-zero temperatures and deep snow for days on end...like when you need to retrace your steps over rarely-traveled terrain a day after losing your keys.

I was running to catch the bus the day before when the keys popped out of my pocket...you can see how far apart my steps were.

Jeopardy Challenge

2010-01-26T17:16:00.000-08:00

Once/year the game show Jeopardy holds their online version of open try-outs. Basically, everyone around the country logs into a special website and you are assaulted with questions for about 10 minutes. You are given 50 questions, 15 seconds max per question.

I can think of so many people more qualified than me to take this type of random-knowledge quiz...like anybody in my extended family with the surname Jeppson, but thought it would be fun to try just for kicks!

Getting ready...

Question #1!

And that's when I knew I was screwed. Seriously, half of the questions were on literature (approximately half of those on classics, half on recent, popular fiction). I did great on all of the science questions though :) I bet Lisa would have done great...she's so much better versed on literature than I am, and there were even some Africa and Middle East geography questions too!

They never release scores of applicants. You're only indication of whether you did well or not is if they give you a call witin the next year. We'll see...

Table Delivery at Work

2010-01-13T10:46:00.000-08:00

Turkey Trot '09

2009-11-26T17:40:00.001-08:00

A 5K is considered by people in the running community to be a 'fun run'. Those aren't two words that I typically consider having any business being in the same sentence. Running is not something that I do. Running is something that villains do while evading the police. Running is something that people do while chasing a ball or after leaving a flaming bag of poo on your doorstep.

Well, add this to the list of fundamental dogmas of my life that have been altered since meeting my wife and her family. I 'ran' the 5K Stuffing Strut today through downtown Detroit while Lisa and her brother Joe and sister Linda ran the 10K Turkey Trot. Since this semester began, I've been trying to get in shape and eat better, play ice hockey every Wednesday morning, and run a couple times/week. Don't let me give you the wrong impression though, I've hardly trained for this. I usually pass out after about a mile of running.

Being that there were over 12,000 people running in this race, it wasn't hard to keep pace at the beginning - the masses of people were pouring down the city street like molasses. As the race progressed and there started to be separation between the participants, I was feeling good about my pace. I passed a man in spandex pushing a jogging stroller, a man with a nutrient belt with enough food and liquids on it to last for a week, a man dressed as Batman as well as the Flash, a butterfly, many elves, some Santas, and a few reindeer. At about a mile into it, I had reached my limit. My feel felt as though they were encased in cement and my ankles were non-responsive. I started to walk. I was passed by nutrient man, Batman, some elves, a reindeer or two, and a butterfly. Then I was passed by some chubby 14-year-old girl that I swear was actually eating while awkwardly jogging past me. I started jogging again. At least Batman is a superhero.

The mantra of the Special Olympics is that it's not important where you finish, but simply that you compete. Well, I ran, I competed, and I finished. Mission accomplished. Actually, I'm pretty happy with my time considering the (lack of) preparation I've done. A twelve-minute mile equates 5MPH average. I'm pleased.

I Saved 10 Lives On My Way to Work Today

2009-10-30T09:40:00.000-07:00

This article in the Washington Post "White House: 650,000 jobs saved, created by stimulus" almost made me audibly laugh as I read the title. It really is brilliant to use a great-sounding-but-immeasurable statistic as the golden standard for progress.

I think this point it well described in this Wall Street Journal article back in June, "The Media Fall for Phony 'Jobs' Claims."

My Son the Existentialist

2009-10-05T12:40:00.000-07:00

He has now twice come up to me and asked "Is today tomorrow?"

I still don't have a very good answer for him :)

"Strawweight Bout"

2009-10-01T06:00:00.000-07:00

This is what happens after the Yankees clinch their division and ESPN has nothing meaningful to talk about anymore...

I love the full breakdown by the official boxing analyst who sounds like he spends most of his time in some dark warehouse-turned-boxing-gym in north Jersey.

FactCheck

2009-09-24T09:28:00.000-07:00

I was referred to this site a while ago and have thoroughly enjoyed it ever since. Factcheck.org is a project of The Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania, which performs research in the fields of political communication, information and society, media and the developing child, health communication and adolescent risk.

***WARNING: The facts are typically much less extreme and invigorating that what is reported by people like Keith Olbermann and Bill O'Reilly and may depress you upon your realization of the quantity and blatancy of false truths being dealt by prominent members of both parties simply for the benefit of the party or themselves, not for the American people.

Just Gets Better

2009-09-11T08:23:00.000-07:00

!College Football Season!

2009-09-04T15:26:00.001-07:00

The greatest play in the history of the BYU-Utah rivalry:

A different announcer:

Just watch it over and over until you're ready for the season. I've watched these two videos probably a combined 10 times over the past 15 minutes and I still can't keep myself from smiling every time. EVERY TIME!

Michael Vick Rally

2009-08-26T18:20:00.000-07:00

Needless to say, I have many issues with any group whose own existence seems to be hypocritical of their stated purpose. Nevertheless, it seems as though the NAACP and I have finally found some common ground and a point on which we both agree.

Said the President of the Philadelphia Chapter of the NAACP in response to why he is organizing a massive rally in support of Michael Vick outside of Lincoln Financial Field, "We believe Michael Vick has served his time, paid his debt to society and deserves a second chance and the animal rights groups want to hold him hostage for the rest of his life...We think that's patently unfair. It denies Michael Vick's basic civil rights, denies him his ability to make a living."

If you feel the insatiable need to crucify someone, go after all the rapists, wife beaters, and murders currently playing unscathed within the world of sports. You won't have to search hard. Leave the guy who has actually served his time alone and let him try to make amends.

How To Tell...

2009-08-10T09:06:00.000-07:00

This is an actual screenshot from my computer at the office. What I wanted to know was how to empirically tell the difference between a 3-level and a 4-level laser. I paused after typing in 'how to tell the difference between' to see what Google's suggestions were. It makes me wonder what the algorithm is for these recommendations. Could these possibly be the most searched queries starting with "how to tell the difference between..."?

I'll admit I clicked on the first suggestion out of curiosity.

I'm never sharing anyone's comb or hat ever again.

You're From South Jersey If...

2009-08-06T10:48:00.000-07:00

I put an asterisk (*) before each item with which I actually identify

*1- You DEFINATELY don't pump your own gas...

*2- You know you don't go down the beach, you go to the shore

*3 - You know what the Jersey Devil is and you possibly were told stories about it at your 4th grade Camping Trip

4 - You go out for corn and tomatoes on the summer and make dinner out of it

*5 - You know all "back roads" to get anywhere and prefer them to the express way

*6 - You know your exact exit off the NJ Turnpike and that's how you let people know where you live

*7 - You know how to drive...very well...

8 - You hate out of state drivers... especially on the expressway...

*9 - You've actually found the Echelon Mall

*10 - You've had or known someone whose had lymes disease

*11 - You know what a wawa is and you know the locations of at least 10 of them

*12 - You order italian hoagies and meatball subs... not any other way... esp not heros!!!

*13 - You know what a pizza pie is ....

14 - You have been to Top Dawg Tuesdays

15 - You live in close vicinity to at least one PJ Whelihans

*16 - You have an EZ Pass but you just hold it up

17 - You know what a "shoe-bie" is and can pick one out at the beach easily.

18 - You go to farmers markets of flea markets for cheap stuff

*19 - Your car is covered in Pollen in April and May

*20 - You had been to Vetrans Stadium and were very upset when they emploded it because it destroyed childhood memories of great hot dogs and amazing philly fans

*21 - You root for Philadelphia teams even though you live in Jersey

*22 - You know how to successfully execute a traffic circle and would NEVER call is a "round about"

*23 - You know where Route 70, 72, 206 are located and where they take you

*24 - You have hung out at a gravel pit

25 - You have picked your own apples, blueberries, and know the where the closest cranberry bog is located

26 - You know what Cedar Water is...

27 - You know where to get the best bagels and go to the bagel shops hung over at 12 PM after a night of heavy drinking

*28 - Your middle school hang out was the mall

29 - You say water, bagel, watch, and class weird...

*30 - You had a sand box when you were little

*31 - You have rented or own(ed) a house in Long Beach Island, Sea Isle, Ocean City, Wildwood, or Margate

*32 - When you go away people know you are from New Jersey from your outgoing demeanor and your bad language when you are annoyed

*33 - You remember when Rowan was Glassboro and TCNJ was Trenton State

*34 - There are at least 5 24 hour diners within 5 miles of your house

*35 - You know exactly how to get to Geno's Jim's or Pat's Steaks In philly and often end up there after long nights of drinking at Philly Bars

*36 - It snows more than an inch, you call is a Blizzard

*37 - One time you were driving in the woods and god stuck in the sand

38 - Your neighborhood demonstrates co-existence of African Americans and racist Rednecks

*39 - Your dad or someone you know goes to the "gunning club" for at least two weeks out of the year..."bowhunting and riffle season"

*40 - You KNOW not to get lost in Camden but often have after long days at concerts in the city

41 - You smoke Parliament or Marlboro Lights

*42 - You can go bowling at 1:30 AM and bring your own beer

*43 - You know who Smokey the Bear is

*44 - You know it is Dr. Pepper and NOT Mr. Pibbs

*45 - It is called soda and never called pop

*46 - You think North jersey is a different state and you think that south jersey deserves it's own succession

47 - You High school prom was at the Camden Aquarium or the Mansion in Vorhees

*48 - You know what "jimmies" are and refuse to call them anything else

*49 - You have had a near close experience or actual experience of hitting a deer with your car

*50 - When people ask you where you're from you say South Jersey and never New Jersey and its weird cause that's how every conversation starts out...

AND..... OBVIOUSLY....
*51 - You don't take any crap from anybody and know that New Jersey is not DIRTY!

Land Of The Free

2009-07-30T05:37:00.000-07:00

This post is long overdue.

Throughout the festivities associated with celebrating our nation's independence, we always hear and sing many of the same patriotic songs. Interestingly, both Lisa and I were unusually struck, on different occasions, by the same verse of a popular hymn. In the second verse of 'America the Beautiful', we sing:

O beautiful for pilgrim feet
Whose stern impassioned stress
A thoroughfare of freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America! America!
God mend thine every flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law!

I recently read the stories of Samson and Ruth (Judges 13-21, Ruth 1-4) in the Old Testament. The tales are striking.

Samson could, and should, have been one of the greatest leaders of Israel since Joshua. He had God-ordained power and gifts, and most importantly had the confidence in God to be able to use those gifts. Unfortunately, he could not master himself and became one of the greatest examples of failure through self-justification and uncontrolled passion.

Ruth, however, lived a quiet life of dedication and made decisions of highest morality when the stakes were the highest. Consequently, she was blessed to have both David and the Lord Jesus Christ in her lineage.

One can't help but ponder the wisdom of the words "confirm thy soul in self-control". It is my belief that we live in a day where the line between wants and needs is becoming increasingly blurred. Furthermore, and more troubling, is the erosion of the defining differences between inalienable rights, wants, needs, and unbridled passions. We are becoming a people who feel an entitlement to whatever it happens to be that we want at a particular time. Some people call this mindset progressive. I agree that we're progressing. To where we're progressing is up for debate.

Some quotes:

Plato: "The first and best victory is to conquer self; to be conquered by self is, of all things, the most shameful and vile."

da Vinci: "You will never have a greater or lesser dominion than that over yourself...He who cannot establish dominion over himself will have no dominion over others."

President Kimball: "Whoever said that sin was not fun? Whoever claimed that Lucifer was not handsome, persuasive, easy, friendly? Sin is attractive and desirable. Transgression wears elegant gowns and sparkling apparel. It is highly perfumed; it has attractive features, a soft voice. It is found in educated circles and sophisticated groups. It provides sweet and comfortable luxuries. Sin is easy and has a big company of pleasant companions. It promises immunity from restrictions, temporary freedoms. It can momentarily satisfy hunger, thirst, desire, urges, passions, wants without immediately paying the price. But, it begins tiny and grows to monumental proportions—drop by drop, inch by inch."

Fruits of Our Labors

2009-07-22T16:08:00.000-07:00

I found a strawberry that the slugs didn't eat. Our first crop of the season!
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That's My Corn!

2009-07-12T13:18:00.000-07:00

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Happy Pre-Birthday JJ!

2009-07-04T17:50:00.000-07:00

Yup, its a cake in the shape of a cupcake. From uncle Joe and aunt Lauren in KC.
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Indoor Football League

2009-06-20T17:49:00.000-07:00

I love the east. I think I've been to more different kinds of professional sports games in the past year here in Rochester than are in the entire state of Utah! Go Rochester Raiders!
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I'll Scratch Your Head If You Scratch My Back

2009-06-15T17:59:00.000-07:00

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So Many Choices

2009-06-14T14:03:00.000-07:00

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There's a Gospel analogy within this cuteness - it doesn't matter how many good choices or opportunities are before you if the only direction you're going is backwards :)

Fantastic Craigslist Post

2009-06-10T19:35:00.000-07:00

I'm in the market for a bike and I came across this on Craigslist. Hilarious.

Reply to: see below
Date: 2009-06-09, 7:59PM EDT

PLEASE NOTE: This probably doesn't apply to you. But some of you that are selling need to have a good look.

1. Just because your bike was made in Europe or Japan doesn't mean you've automatically got a winner. They made a lot of junk, too.
2. A low end bike that was $97.00 in 1976 is not magically worth $400 now with a flip flop rear wheel on it.
3. Adult bikes do not have goosenecks.
4. If the chain is conspicuously rusty and kinked in the picture, nobody is going to fall for your claims of "mint condition".
5. If you get asked how many speeds it has and do not know nor care, time to take down your ad. Immediately.
6. Telling us that you found it in a barn is not a rationale for overpricing it.
7. Take OFF the $10 price tag from Goodwill before you take your Craigslist picture and ask $250 for it.
8. "Light and FAST!" . . . Ok, if you say so. It's the engine, not the bike.
9. Not everything with those curvy handlebars is a race bike.
10. Neither is a race bike "improved" by flipping those curvy handlebars upside down.
11. Don't be offended if someone offers you an insulting amount that is far less than you want for your bike - they're just smarter than you.
12. Don't get ticked off if someone low-balls you when you state "make offer" in your ad. You asked for it.
13. Tires are tires and wheels are wheels. These terms are not interchangeable.
14. Breaks should be referred to as "brakes", petles or petals as "pedals".
15. Your bike was not made by Shimano, Suntour, or Campagnolo. I know you saw that name somewhere on it, but just trust me on this one.
16. Vintage implies it was worth something when it was new, otherwise it's just OLD.
17. High tensile steel - yeah, they put a sticker on the bike that says it but I wouldn't be bragging about it.
18. Go ahead and repost that 10 speed Huffy every week - no one will tire of its charm. If you're willing to endure the humiliation, we'll be there for you until you reach your target market.
19. ALL CAPS DOES NOT MAKE IT A BETTER BIKE.
20. Pictures of the LEFT side of the bike aren't worth much of anything, nobody can see the drivetrain. All things considered, perhaps you'd rather want to hide it anyway.
21. Blurry pictures add a negative symbol to your price tag.
22. If you steal someone else's photos (not the manufacturer's) from the web and use them to represent your own bike, you are absolute scum.
23. "Suitable for fixie conversion" doesn't make a POS frame any more valuable.
24. If you think your bicycle is worth a four figure sum ($x,xxx), the LEAST you could do is to spell the brand and component names correctly. (eg. Trek, not treck; Schwinn, not shwin; Campagnolo, not Campagnola; and Shimano - not shmano, shimono, or shamano)
25. Include the size of the bicycle! Measured from the center of the cranks (the big sprocket) to the top of the seat tube (before the silver or black post that holds the seat [saddle].) It needs to be in either inches or centimeters... both if you are nice.
26. NEXT, Magna, Huffy, Roadmaster, and Murray are NOT highly-respected brands....no matter how high end the Walmart is. Get over it.
27. Taking a nice multispeed road bike that was posted here two days ago for a reasonable price, raping it of all good derailleur parts, and making it a single speed with a $22 Chinese bmx cog from performancebike.com does not double or triple its value or make it a "race bike" or "fixie".
28. There is no such thing as a road mountain bike.
29. Just because you are selling it for a friend doesn't make you an expert. It just shows you know how to navigate CL
30. If you don't list the brand and it is unreadable in the photos, we will assume it is a POS.
31. Research the going price of your bike before posting. You'll get a lot more bites if you're reasonable.
32. Just because it cost a lot 10 years ago when it was brand new and you have barely rode it, doesn't mean it is worth 50% + of new price. (see above.)
33. Just because you bought it within the past year doesn't mean someone is going to pay close to what you paid, especially if the new model years are coming out and yours is now discounted.
34. Don't use terms you do not understand - if it does not have rear suspension, it is not full suspension.
35. Spel lcheck is your friend, use it.
36. Proofread - I have never seen a bike measured in feet but I've seen a lot of 26' bikes posted.
37. If it is an X-mart bike, and you just paid to have it "tuned up", you probably just wasted your money as the tune up was probably more than the bike is worth.
38. No one wants to call for pictures or basic information that should've been posted in the original ad.
39. Don't sell a used helmet unless you really did just buy it, otherwise it may have been crashed and is a safety hazard.
40. Chrome Schwinn Paramounts are not "rare." Desired by collectors, perhaps; but there's at least one on eBay every week, if not two.

Regards,
Chase

IMG00095.jpg

2009-06-07T18:37:00.000-07:00

Sliding

2009-06-07T13:18:00.000-07:00

When Ruth plays with this toy, she always slowly slides backward as she plays. This is the point where she usually starts panting and squeaking trying to get our attention for help.

Oh Vista

2009-05-19T05:59:00.000-07:00

I just downloaded a program (called OSLO) required to do some modeling for a work-related project. I couldn't help but chuckle to myself as I read the system requirements:

You can use OSLO on a PC with an Intel Pentium Processor (or better) running Microsoft Windows 2000, XP or Vista. For good performance, you should have 128MB of RAM for Windows 2000/XP, 1 GB of RAM for Windows Vista.

And thus we see why everything runs more slowly on Vista and why the general public loathes that platform.

Fame, Wealth, and Beauty

2009-05-14T09:30:00.000-07:00

Interesting study about how extrinsic pursuits (fame, wealth, beauty) do not lead to happiness and emotional stability. Often times, even when achieved, these goals yield negative physical and emotional effects. Intrinsic pursuits (enduring relationships, helping others) seem to have significantly more impact on personal satisfaction.

Meetings And Repentance

2009-05-01T04:04:00.000-07:00

Note: This is solely my opinion and not Lisa's

Lisa attended a meeting last night presented by the stake primary presidency, intended for all members who are called to work in the primary. Prior to this meeting, I had joked with Lisa that the meeting would be huge since it seems like half of the ward is involved with primary. Of course I asked her afterwards how it went and she reported that it was an overall good experience. She also casually mentioned something to the effect that all of the members from our ward in attendance could probably be counted on a hand.

It's frustrating to me the casual nature with which some people view their callings. There are so many people who sacrifice so much of their time to make the ward function as well as it does. Some people have to attend early-morning Sunday meetings every week. Some people have to attend early-morning Thursday meetings. Some people meet every Tuesday evening. Some people meet every Wednesday evening, and there are some who meet weekly at other times.

To those of you in the primary program not in attendance last night: you have one meeting...just one non-Sunday meeting...that you're asked a month in advance to attend and given weekly reminders about, and you can't find a way to make it? Really? I am by no means perfect in my service, but do you realize how ridiculous it seems that you can't make one meeting on an otherwise meaningless Thursday evening to improve the quality of the program for our children?

We're Throwing Things!

2009-04-30T19:14:00.000-07:00

Is what James said to me with a big smile on his face as I emerged from doing dishes in the kitchen. I was watching a friend's kids as well as mine while Lisa was at a meeting. Just ten minutes before this they were playing so neatly...

Green Bus

2009-04-22T10:24:00.000-07:00

We've been hearing a lot on the news recently about some University of Rochester engineering team that made a bus that runs off of fast-food cooking oil waste. I assume this is it.

Why I Love Philly Fans

2009-04-20T05:29:00.001-07:00

If you're wondering why Philadelphia is considered a difficult venue in which to be a visiting team:

Birthday 2009

2009-04-19T12:37:00.000-07:00

Lisa really outdid herself this year for my birthday. The sad thing is that I really appreciate it because she is so good at thinking of things to do for me for my birthday while I am so bad at doing things for her...and she REALLY looks forward to her birthday! Here's a rundown of what my wonderful Lisa did for me to make me feel special:

1) Meals
Lisa knows that I love food. It's apparent by my morphing body shape that I'm loving it too much recently. Multiple days during the week before my birthday, Lisa brought me goodies for lunch - my favorite hamburger from the Cheesecake Factory (I know, sounds wierd, but try it!) and a Munchie Mania from Friendly's. She also made sure to have pizza for dinner atleast once.

2) Greetings
Just about every time Lisa saw me during the week of my birthday, she would greet me 'Happy birthday week!" As corny as that sounds, that actually made me feel good.

3) Presents

Trash bags - For years we used Costco trash bags with draw string 'cinch sack' type closures. Those were so easy to just pull out of the trash can and tie up to throw in the dumpster. They were also reasonably thick and durable. We ran out and decided to just get the cheapest trash bag replacements from WalMart. I've loathed that decision ever since...they're tough to close, tear easily, and don't stay on the trash can. I know, it's such a tough life I live...but hey, it gets annoying after a while! Lisa got me better trash bags.

Grill Wire Brush - Self explanatory.

Ankle Socks - When I was in high school, I had ankle socks with the elastic around the arch and loved them. Lisa knew that so Lisa sprung for some new ankle socks for me with the elastic arch support. Awesome.

Can Opener - It's debatable whether these gifts were for me or for Lisa's sanity. I don't feel like I complain about many things, and these gifts comprise the majority of things I do gripe about. I hate using our can opener because it has one function, to open cans, and it doesn't do it well. Hooray functionality.

Pizza Pan - I've been trying to perfect the giant cookie recipe recently (like what my family bought from the Great American Cookie Company all growing up). Now I have a perfectly shaped pan (Lisa made sure it was the right dimensions)!

Thanks Harry

2009-04-15T05:47:00.000-07:00

He will always be the voice of baseball in my mind.

We're on the Same Team, Right?

2009-03-01T19:47:00.000-08:00

I find myself growing increasingly tired of political discussions as of late.

I like President Obama. Sure, I didn't vote for him and don't agree with all of his platforms, but I think he's a fine man and is more than fit to lead. I especially am impressed that he appears to be trying. Regardless of all the criticisms circling about how his policies are ruining the future of our posterity, at least he is acting swiftly and definitively. He has a plan and is committed and is confident.

Meanwhile, the 'Obama opposition' finds themselves embodied by the governor of Louisiana, who just so happens to be a less personal, less eloquent, less appealing, and overall lower caliber version of Obama ('Hey look at me, I'm multi-racial too!') who for some reason can't keep his hands still while talking.

I am a frequent reader of the Wall Street Journal (which I realize leans Right, but is still a far cry from the Fox News genre...). I feel as though I've read enough about the state of the economy and enough commentary to be accurate in stating that nobody really knows how to 'fix' the economy. Everyone, on both sides, has their hunches and theories. Everyone has many valid reasons to be confident in their beliefs.

There is a story that's often told in a different context about a family which is looking to move into a new town. Before making the move, the family asks two different people in that town about their fellow citizens. One states 'The people here are great - some of the most kind people I've ever met!' The other sighs 'Honestly the people here are pretty depressing. No one cares about anyone else.'

Obviously the moral of the story is that often times situations will be as wonderful or as horrible as you want them to be. Naturally this is a blanket statement that doesn't apply to everything in life, but I'm confident you get my point.

We're on the same team. The president (with the democratic congress) has made it apparent that if he wants to pass something or otherwise get something done, then he is going to do it. I say good. No matter what is done, some people are going to be happy and some are going to be outraged. He's trying to think it out. He's trying to take and synthesize advice. He's making his decisions.

I'm a strong believer that complaining has never gotten anybody anywhere. The left-wing's incessant references to the past eight years being rivaled only by the holocaust and the crucifixion of Christ needs to end. The right wing's cryings about how they've been misrepresented by the Bush administration and how they're not being taken seriously has got to stop. The constant feed of pessimism surrounding the multi-trillion-dollar budget does no good. By doing so we are only making our own self-fulfilling prophecy of failure. Let's give him a chance. Let's give his policies a chance. It is not beyond any of us to put forth the effort to make it work.

After all, we Americans can do anything. Yes we can.

My Cinderella

2009-02-26T04:52:00.000-08:00

I'm sure I'm probably the last person on Earth who hasn't heard this song before, but I just heard it on the radio last night for the first time. I don't know if it's played on mainstream radio; the only music radio I listen to anymore is the local Christian station.

I thought this was very touching.

She spins and she sways to whatever song plays,
Without a care in the world.
And I'm sittin' here wearin' the weight of the world on my shoulders.
It's been a long day and there's still work to do,
She's pulling at me saying "Dad I need you!
There's a ball at the castle and I've been invited and I need to practice my dancin'"
"Oh please, daddy, please!"

So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh I will dance with Cinderella
I don't wanna miss even one song,
Cuz all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone

She says he's a nice guy and I'd be impressed
She wants to know if I approve of the dress
She says "Dad, the prom is just one week away,
And I need to practice my dancin'"
"Oh please, daddy, please!"

So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Ohh-oh ohh-oh, I will dance with Cinderella
I don't wanna miss even one song,
Cuz all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone
She will be gone.

Well, she came home today
With a ring on her hand
Just glowin' and tellin' us all they had planned
She says "Dad, the wedding's still six months away
but I need to practice my dancin'"
"Oh please, daddy please!"

So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Ohh-oh ohh-oh, I will dance with Cinderella
I don't wanna miss even one song,
(even one song)
Cuz all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone

Makes me miss Ruth already.

When I Grow Up...

2009-02-11T19:47:00.000-08:00

I want to be like this guy.

US Airways Flight 1549

2009-02-07T12:02:00.000-08:00

What's amazing to me is how calm everyone involved was. It sounds more like a training exercise than a genuine life-threatening ordeal.

Overheard In My Car

2009-02-03T18:54:00.000-08:00

As part of my basketball coaching/boy scouting duties tonight, I had to do a significant amount of driving around Rochester with various boys.

Conversation with an 11-year-old (11yo):

11yo: Do you know what a halibut is?
me: Yea it's a fish.
11yo: No no, do you know what a halibut is?
me: Yea, it is a fish.
11yo: No, a halibut. Do you know what a halibut is?
me: What is it?
11yo: It's an ancient weapon made out of an ax and a sword.
11yo: It was named after a fish.
me: Oh. OK.

Conversation with a 16-year-old(16yo):
Driving through some of the not-so-nice areas of Rochester

16yo: Yo that a prostitute.
me: You think?
16yo: Oh yea. That a prostitute right thare.
me: She looks just like a girl walking down the street.
16yo: Na man. You see how she stop and look right thare? She a prostitute.
me: Just looks like a girl walking down the street to me.
16yo: Na man. Prostitute.
me: I think that's just a girl. How can you tell?
Looking right at me
16yo: Yo man. I just know.
me: Oh. OK.

Here's to hoping our kids go straight from 12 to 18 years old.

I Heart Onion News Network

2009-01-14T19:32:00.000-08:00

I've recently re-discovered how amazingly ridiculously hilarious the Onion News Network is. I don't think I ever really appreciated how spot-on their 'newscasts' are until I started following/watching the news more carefully.

For my mom (which is abnormal since the site favors making fun of republicans):

Obama Win Causes Obsessive Supporters To Realize How Empty Their Lives Are

Just for kicks:

In The Know: Has Halloween Become Overcommercialized?

And they just get better and better...

I Belong!

2008-11-14T05:16:00.001-08:00

Good Questions

2008-11-11T12:06:00.000-08:00

I've been asked a few follow-up questions relative to my recently published political post. They are fair and should be addressed. Again, I claim no real authority of proof of competence on any economic or legal matters. These are simply my thoughts as a (what I consider) sensible person. (I apologize in advance if this post seems choppy or grammatically imperfect...I've written bits here and there as I've had time)

On The Economy

Mortgage Crisis

I stated earlier that part of the solution to our current economic situation is to let people suffer. I did not mean to imply that it is needful to have our entire economic system collapse. With regards to the 'mortgage crisis', I think we would all agree that it is not in the best interest of our country for hundreds of thousands of people to lose their homes. The most recent reports show that 18% of American homeowners are currently upside-down on their mortgages. If house prices fall another 5%, a full quarter will be upside-down.

Many of these people probably are victims to some degree of deceiving loan agents, a fact which can't be ignored. I believe that to ensure the long-term stability of our markets there (unfortunately) needed to be government intercession. However, I do not believe in doing away with debt (going back to the principle of accountability). I am not an economist, but it seems that there has to be a way that the government could help people refinance their mortgages and help them get on a payment plan which is affordable without giving any handouts or doing away with responsibility.

It is tough for and I sympathize with all of those who are having a hard time making ends meet. I wish I were more educated on the subject. It is ironic, however, that in an age where people are seemingly constantly screaming 'equality now!' and 'we just want what's fair!' that we're trying so hard to have the people who have managed their money well and not fallen for the pitfalls of adjustable-rate mortgages and not taken as many risks to pay the price for those who did not.

Auto Industry

What if I told you that I knew a company which had a 30-year-old reputation of bad quality and craftsmanship, poor leadership, and overpriced goods was about to go out of business? You'd probably say 'It's about time.' It's not so simple, however, when that company happens to employ around 4.15 million people. To put that number in perspective, that is roughly 12.5% of total population of Canada.

The Detroit auto industry simply cannot fail. However, someone has to play the father figure and let them suffer it out for a while and actually make substantial change - a role which I'm glad the federal government seems to be playing so far. Reports released yesterday indicate that the auto industry is burning through cash at a rate much higher than expected, and will possibly be out by mid 2009, if not earlier.

It has been said that necessity is the mother of creativity. It unfortunately takes time to develop a reputation of quality. It unfortunately takes time to switch production lines to make vehicles that people want. My bet is that if the government keeps denying their pleas, and if they keep burning through cash at their current rate, we'll see some very creative ideas in the near future. I would hope that the government would be willing to step in and help right as Detroit is on the verge of collapse, but after it has committed to serious changes in quality and direction. That's how I believe you help anyone in life in almost any situation...you let them figure it out - suffer it out on their own for a while, really push them, and then once they really have done all that they can, help them out.

I could go on about how the auto workers' unions are killing Detroit as well, but we'll save that for another day. That will be under the heading of 'The American Entitlement', or maybe more specifically 'How the American Entitlement is Killing the American Dream'.

On Civil Unions

Through my research, I have found three main differences between marriage and civil unions:

1) Taxes - There are significant differences between how married and civil union couples can file their taxes and how they can otherwise manage their finances jointly. These differences vary greatly from state to state and are easy to look up, so I will not say anymore on them.

2) Portability - If a couple is legally married in one state, that marriage is recognized in every state regardless if they would have been eligible for marriage in every state. Civil unions are only recognized in the state in which it was performed. If a civil union was performed in California and that couple moved to Massachusetts, they would need to have their ceremony performed again.

3) Stigma - The most difficult to define difference but yet arguably most important is that of the cultural significance of the sacred title of marriage. The term 'civil union' just doesn't carry the same emotional and cultural weight as does the title of 'marriage'.

As far as I understand them, I am for civil unions. Honestly I won't be surprised if numbers one and two on my list are eliminated in the near future, especially considering the personal convictions of our new president and how hot of a topic this has become recently. I'm ok with that, based on what I know.

I know this is offensive to many, but I believe that the act of homosexuality is a choice. It's not necessarily a choice to be attracted to someone of the same sex, but it's not a choice for a man to be attracted to women other than his own wife or for people do develop anger management problems either. To me, this is where morality hits reality. I sympathize with the many who are protesting the proposition 8 verdict; not with their cause but with their pain. However, for reasons that none of us can probably fully comprehend at this point, keeping marriage as defined by the unity of one man and one woman is what I believe to be best for the welfare of our country.

------
As a side note, everyone with interest should read up on the history and circumstances regarding Jefferson's letter containing the famous 'Separation of church and state' ideology. Just to get you started, it was written by him to the Danbury Baptists (Conn.) shortly after his election. Also make sure to read Justice Hugo Black's landmark 1947 Supreme Court ruling in Everson v. Board of Education. If you really want to be ambitious, just read the letter and the circumstances surrounding it and then read up on that court decision...don't read any commentary. Then make a decision for yourself on how everything should be interpreted. The pundits on both sides of the issue are extreme and overbearing!

Perspective, Politics, and Understanding

2008-11-07T19:40:00.000-08:00

I have been wanting to write for quite some time now...I had a 5-part series all laid out in my mind, dissecting the presidential candidates on merits of personality, experience, policy, running mates, etc. Alas I have run out of time for a post like that to be of any relevance and have had other more timely thoughts on my mind.

Presidential Race

Let me start by stating that I voted for McCain. I also was in favor of Proposition 8. I am also a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon). Many people upon reading that last line would probably say to themselves "Well that figures." I suppose in many circles I'm officially non-progressive, sheltered, bigoted, uninformed, unintelligent, just not willing to see the other side, unable to make rational decisions, a warmonger, brainwashed, a gay-basher, a homophobe, ill-informed on constitutional matters, or any mixture thereof.

You may be surprised to know that I think Rush Linbaugh and Sean Hannity are destructive extremists. You may be surprised to learn that I used to listen to progressive radio every morning before the only local progressive radio station in Rochester went bankrupt. You may be surprised to know that I actually really like Obama. You may be surprised to know that I have read "The Audacity of Hope." I have sought out all of his speeches and have read intently his "Blueprint for America"...and enjoyed it. He is eloquent, charismatic, captivating, intelligent, and he radiates a sincere desire to change the world around him for the better. I think we would all agree that these are great qualities we would desire in any leader.

Someone once said, after leaving the faith of their childhood, "I just don't see how one church can be the right one if so many other people out there feel just as passionately about their faith as I did. I just doesn't make sense." This is a key point. I've come to understand this person's statement much better over the past year as I've sincerely tried to understand why the McCain zealots think that Obama supporters are all left-wing self-absorbed amoral hippies and why Obamaites can't seem to understand why anyone would possibly ever in a million years see anything of worth in McCain.

No matter how passionately you feel about an issue and how well read and informed you are, there is undoubtedly someone on the other side of the table who has read all the same material and knows all the same information and feels just as passionately but in the opposite way. It is easy to be demeaning, belittling, and point fingers at those who don't agree with you. What is difficult, and what I'm coming to realize is the true mark of a 'progressive' or 'liberal' or 'conservative' or good human being, is to look at the person who disagrees with you so passionately and understand where they are coming from and how they can feel the way they do while still believing that they are a rational human being.

With that said, Barack Obama was not my pick but that's ok. Voting is the easy half of the democratic process. Supporting the victor, whomever that may be, is the more important part. I definitely like Obama better as a person than I do McCain. I'd love Barack to be my neighbor. I'd love our kids to hang out together and I'm sure we'd enjoy a barbecue. The positive effects of his charm and charisma are already being felt around the globe only a few days after being elected. His energy has seemingly electrified the country, bringing a sort of magical hope to millions of a better tomorrow...and hope is a powerful and increasingly rare commodity.

Let me tell you why I, a young and well-educated person in New York (3 major qualifications to be a democrat), voted for 'Gramps'. You've got to realize that religion and politics are arguably the two most hotly contested topics in modern conversation simply because neither one can be logically proven through undeniable logical syllogisms. The wild card, of course, in religion is that of personal revelation from a Supreme Being who does know ultimate truth.

We can debate until we're all blue in the face whose economic or healthcare policies will be better for the future of this country, but we will not reach a definitive conclusion. We do not know what the future holds and the fact of the matter is that we're all trying to make educated guesses of what will work best.

I believe that both candidates sincerely believe that their plans will work best for the country. I believe that both candidates want to help this country in the best way possible. Both candidates want the average American to succeed. Obama is as much as a Socialist as McCain is a continuation of Bush. Neither of those statements is factual, but you can see why they would be said if you're willing to look.

I believe that the policies of Obama have a significantly higher risk of irreversible and far-reaching damage. That's not to say that I believe that an Obama presidency would be cataclysmic, I just feel that we have a much greater potential to really hurt ourselves with his policies and with his positions. My reasoning is better left for another post.

I don't think McCain is a white knight who's undying patriotism will save us from all calamity and thrust us into a better world. His policies, especially those dealing with the economy and healthcare, are simply more in line with what I think is actually most beneficial for this country. Call me crazy, but I think our economy is pretty sound. Call me nuts, but I don't think the tax rate is what's currently killing the middle class. We're irresponsible with money - we over spend and we take too many risks, and that example was given to the American people by Uncle Sam himself. The solution for when someone takes a risk and it doesn't pan out categorically is not to bail them out, but to let them suffer in the short term so that they do not make the same mistake again...or at least understand that there are consequences associated with risk and debt. These bailouts and rounds of stimulus checks are, in my opinion, a waste and are setting us up for an apocalyptic disaster in the future. The real problem is that we resist accountability...and we are continuing to do so.

But that's my opinion - maybe I'll be proven right; maybe I'll be proven wrong.

Proposition 8

It is extremely difficult to make laws from a completely objective and amoral viewpoint. I have read works of Immanuel Kant and J.S. Mill, a couple of the more widely recognized great philosophical minds. They spent their lives developing theories of how we should treat each other based only on logical reasoning. The result? A shaky framework of idioms to the effect of "Do that which results in the greatest good." Naturally, this is subject to one's interpretation of the word 'good'.

I have come to the conclusion that there has to be an outside source governing that which is acceptable practice and that which is not. To some, that may be a Supreme Being. To others that may be their own personal beliefs. There simply is no logical way to deem what practices are 'good'.

There seems to be a great disconnect between the gay and lesbian community and their sympathizers and those who support Proposition 8. I really do feel for those who have been fighting for gay 'rights' and feel like this is a major blow to their cause. I understand how unjust this must feel to many. I understand how this can be interpreted to sound as if we (the supporters of prop. 8) don't think of them as people or of the same value as everyone else. It's unfortunate that the idea of 'sexual preference' has been equated with race or gender, though I see why it has.

If a man from Africa or the Middle East has 3 wives (which is legal in many of those areas) and wants to come to America to marry a 4th, of course we would not allow that. If a lonely old lady loves her cat so much that she wants to show her affection by marrying it, she would be laughed out of city hall. Is there anything actually physically or logically wrong with either polygamy or bestiality? Although I don't endorse either, I would say no. But we as a people deem those practices to be immoral or damaging to society in such a way that we feel that they should be outlawed. A man can have a relationship with multiple women, but he may not call it marriage, regardless of how much he loves each woman. A woman can live forever with her dogs, but she cannot use the sacred title of marriage to describe her relationship.

It is not that we feel that this man or this woman are not equals with everybody else or that we feel they should be done some great harm or injustice. We do not hate gays or lesbians. We do not think they should be punnished or mistreated anymore than who has a different opinion than us should be. It is about defining a sacred title. The people have spoken and it seems (with the exclusion of the paper ballots) that they have spoken to make the title of 'marriage' available only to the union of man and woman.

Those on the other side of Prop. 8 like to use terms such as 'inalienable rights' to describe why marriage should apply to them. Someone has to determine what rights are inalienable. We can't turn to the Bible because we don't all believe in it and those who do interpret it so differently. We can't turn to any other universal source for similar reasons. And so we turn to ourselves and we have decided that marriage between man and man is, in fact, not an inalienable right...at least not yet.

The LDS Church and Prop. 8

The bold stance of the Church came as a surprise to many, and rightfully so. Over the years, the Church has time and time again stressed the importance of its members being politically active, but has itself almost always remained politically neutral. It may be difficult to see why the leaders of the Church picked now to become so actively involved in a political process. There is no doubt that the Church went out of its way to motivate its members to consecrate both their time and means to the cause. Just because we don't see or understand why the leaders of the Church have asked us to do something, doesn't mean there isn't a reason.

We believe in the same organization that existed in the primitive church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth. To cite a trite example, just because it wasn't raining at the time Noah was building an arc didn't make him any less of a prophet. I have faith in the Prophet and Apostles of the Church. I have received witnesses far too sacred to share in this media of the nature of their callings. It is my solemn belief that if they say that a cause is important for me to back, and it's important for me to get involved, then I believe them...without seeing the rain.

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I have purposefully disallowed comments for this post. It is what it is.
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My Baby!

2008-11-02T13:44:00.001-08:00

Go to the family page for more pics and info.

By the way, yes that is a Phillies World Champions shirt that I am wearing.

In Case You Missed It

2008-10-30T05:40:00.000-07:00

I don't really know what to do with myself at this point. I don't have anything to be frustrated about in the sports world all of a sudden...

!!!!!! WE WIN !!!!!

2008-10-29T19:26:00.000-07:00

Philadelphia Freedom!!

2008 World Series Champs!!

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Flying

2008-10-19T16:54:00.001-07:00

I recently had the opportunity to take a quick trip to San Diego and flew from Rochester to Atlanta to San Diego to Philadelphia and back to Rochester. Some thoughts and experiences:

Don't Drink and Fly

Touching down into San Diego, you could hear that the beverage cart in the back of the plane was making a lot of noise. I don't think any of us thought much about it...just sounded like the cans of soda and juice were rolling around in a large container. However, upon the wheels actually making contact with the asphalt, a loud noise accompanied a rush of 100s of full cans coming flying down the aisle - it was pretty awesome. They weren't coming fast enough to be a safety risk, it was just quite a sight. Although none of the cans I saw burst open, you couldn't help but feel badly for the flight attendants who had to clean all that up!

This was in stark contrast to the flight leaving San Diego where my conversation with the attendant went like this:

Attendant: "Anything to drink, Sir?"
Me: Orange juice please.
A: That'll be $2.
Me: Um, nevermind.

Really, you can't get a non-alcoholic drink on an airplane for free anymore(On US Air at least)? Crazy.

Speak English...No the Other English

As I was approaching my seat on my flight out of San Diego, I saw the attendant explaining the emergency exit rules and responsibilities to the patrons who were sitting in those seats. She was having an animated conversation with one man who apparently wasn't understanding what she was saying. San Diego is very close to the Mexican border, so they're used to having Spanish speaking people on the plane. She was trying to explain to the guy that he had to move because you need to understand and speak English to sit in that row. I noticed that as she kept asking him if he spoke English or understood what she was saying that he kept pointing from his ear to his mouth.

I suppose that looks a lot like someone just scratching the side of their head. Having taken some of the American Sign Language (ASL) classes with Lisa, I knew that was the sign for "deaf". As I walked by the attendant, who was getting a bit flustered, I turned to her and said "He's deaf...that's why he doesn't understand you." I then put my stuff down and explained (signed) to the guy what the attendant was saying any why he couldn't sit there.

I felt like a winner for being able to resolve the situation, and I made a friend out of it :) He was a nice kid...actually from Mexico, learning ASL, but traveling to Spain to learn how to be a chef. I thought that was impressive!

What Recession?

Philadelphia International Airport used to be a real hole in the wall. For those of you familiar with Veteran's Stadium, it was kinda like that. All cement, all seedy, all function without aesthetics. I used to say that there should be signs in the jetways saying "Welcome to Philadelphia - it's ok, pee anywhere." My how times have changed.

I couldn't tell if I was in the airport or the Cherry Hill Mall. There's an entire wing of the airport called "Philadelphia Marketplace", which is the most awesome time-killing mechanism I have ever seen in an airport. Many major restaruants and shops are in there including: TGI Fridays, Brookstone, Sharper Image, Au Bon Pain, Lids, Borders, Auntie Annes, Bose, Brooks Brothers, and many other main stream mall-type stores. There is also a food court with your typical Burger King and all those types of places with a large eating area with a few dozen large screens giving updated flight information. I tip my hat to whomever designed that wing. As you can probably tell, I was totally blown away. Hands down the most enjoyable experience I have had during a layover.

America the Beautiful

I was fortunate enough to see a birds-eye view of more than 1/2 of the country within a 2-day period in the fall season. Whether it was the San Diego skyline at night, the simple beauty of the plains, the view of the Philadelphia sports complex and accompanying skyline, or the endless fall foliage of the East Coast I couldn't help but think to myself how gorgeous of a land it is in which we live.

Time Dynamics and the Economy

2008-10-05T17:51:00.000-07:00

I've come to realize this week that the United States economy is in many ways like my time.

I know at any given time exactly what I need to do and how much time I have to do it. I can anticipate my homework and project deadlines and plan accordingly. I know how fast I can work and I always know exactly how far ahead I will be 'next week' if I keep working at my peak efficiency.

However, without fail, some unexpected and pertinent time-sucker comes up every week. Sometimes it's an assignment that takes 2 or 3x as long as expected. Sometimes it's a surprise project given at the last minute by a professor. Sometimes its a lab-related project that needs to get done. Whatever the cause, I'm never ahead and just barely treading water to stay up on what was originally supposed to be easy baseline deadlines.

Every year we hear more about the national debt and the need to balance the budget. Every year we hear from our political leaders that they project that the budget will be balanced in a few years and we'll start making that money back. Every year we hear about some unexpected but pertinent expense that needed attention in the past year that prevented us from balancing the budget on time the first time around. Every year is the same thing.

When I was in my undergraduate education, I thought I was managing my time well and making appropriate sacrifices. Then I got married and had to re-evaluate priorities and cut back on certain activities like climbing and hockey. Then I had a son and had to again re-evaluate and cut back on how closely I follow sports and other leisure activities. Then I entered grad school and had to cut out pretty much everything except what was necessary to keep my family and education intact. After all that, I (like everyone else I know in my same position) am still trying to find the right balance between school, church, and family obligations and priorities.

I'm not sure if our national finances are in the undergrad, marriage, child bearing, or grad stage but I think it might be time to re-evaluate and just cut out everything but the bare necessities.

There are always going to be matters that are worthy and great uses of my time that I just simply cannot attend and will have to be cut out. There will always be a continuous stream of applications for causes worthy of our tax-dollar funding. Someone has to start taking on the responsibility of judging what needs to be cut out.

YES

2008-09-27T17:24:00.000-07:00

I'm excited...very very excited.

Hooray Math

2008-08-08T04:53:00.000-07:00

I woke up this morning around 5am (usually I get up around 6:45) and couldn't fall back asleep. Why, you ask? Because for some reason I had to figure out how long a person, who spends approx. $10,000 more on a 35mpg fuel efficient car than on a regular 20mpg car/truck, would have to own that car in order to pay off the difference assuming $4.00 gas and 14,000 miles/year driving.

I haven't checked it on paper, but in my head I got about 8 years, 4 months. I was satisfied and hapily went back to sleep.

I really don't think the average American keeps their car for more than 8 years, nor do they pay straight up cash for them. There are a few approximations in the calculations, but it appears that it's better to just keep whatever gas guzzler you already have.

Three Great Years

2008-06-17T06:32:00.000-07:00

Three years ago I made one of the best decisions of my life in marrying Lisa.

In three years she has brought me wonderful companionship. She is my best friend and confidant. She listens to my ramblings and mumblings and is even getting pretty good at giving courtesy laughs to my incessant onslaught of terrible jokes and puns. She gives me a counterpart in political and other charged debates. She gives me a loving voice to hear before I drift off to sleep. Nothing beats climbing into bed and falling into a slumber with your arms wrapped around the woman you love (unless it's too hot - then you have to settle for sprawling out next to them :) ).

In three years she has made me an immeasurably better person...academically, spiritually, and in personality. It goes without saying that my GPA is far higher than it would be without her promptings and her example. As a result I am probably now at a better graduate school than I would be otherwise with better mentoring opportunities and with a brighter future. She reads the scriptures daily and in other ways sets the example for me and reminds me of the heavenly duties I have both as a husband and as a bearer of the Priesthood. She does not shy away from tempering me and correcting me when I am out of line. I hope that I can be more humble and receptive to her good suggestions. In all these ways she has impacted my current and future life for good.

In three years she has given me one cherished son, and will soon hopefully give me an equally beloved daughter. She has, at considerable sacrifice, raised our son at a level beyond all expectations. Lisa is not one of those stereotypical Mormon girls that grew up with an eye single to the objective of having and raising a family (not that there is anything wrong with that view - more power to you if you have that goal and succeed). Lisa has lived a very academic life and has prepared herself well for a successful career - just ask anyone for whom she has worked! She has been willing to set aside her professional aspirations, at least for a time, in order to perform her work in the home. Her pay in her potential career would easily cover the expense of child support, but this is the route (to my happiness) she has chosen. Our son is healthy, intelligent, and happy. I owe all these attributes to her.

When we were first married, I used to make her look at me as I turned off the light on the nightstand so that "her face would be the last thing I saw before I went to sleep." Although I don't explicitly do that anymore, I hope she knows that she's still in my dreams.

Like Christmas

2008-06-16T06:44:00.000-07:00

But in June. My computer setup was waiting for me at work today. If only every day started like this.
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A Few Last Trip Pics

2008-06-15T19:30:00.000-07:00

You can see the moon brightly above the cloud line. It was a pleasant view out of our window going from Atlanta to rochester.
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Flight Path

2008-06-15T19:28:00.000-07:00

When you only have a 75 minute layover and you first flight took off an hour late, this isn't really the flight path you desire. The yellow line represents our path traveled...looks kind of like a paperclip! There were too many planes trying to land at Atlanta so we lost the lottery and had to circle a few times. Fortunately our connecting flight was delayed.
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Lisa and JJ

2008-06-15T19:23:00.000-07:00

Fast asleep on the flight from Phoenix to Atlanta.
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Nighttime Cuddles

2008-06-11T21:46:00.001-07:00

JJ loves his mommy.
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James Blowing Out Candles

2008-06-11T21:46:00.000-07:00

While at Jill and Gary's house we had a little party for JJ.
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James and Cake

2008-06-11T21:44:00.000-07:00

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Back on the Mainland

2008-06-10T22:57:00.000-07:00

1 A Day of Firsts

Our flight from Kawai was on a small dual-propeller plane. This was the first commercial propeller flight either of us had been in. While on descent into Maui, we hit an air pocket which caused the plane to drop 15-20 feet or so (could have been more, that's just my guesstimate). It was enough that if we hadn't been wearing seat belts we would have lifted out of our seats and maybe touched the ceiling. I've been in some pretty rough turbulance before but this drop was a first for Lisa! The flight attendant made sure everyone was ok and then made some joke about a free rollercoaster.
2 Airport Security

I was having casual conversation with the officer checking my boarding pass against my government issued ID in the security line. After she handed my documents back to me and wished me a good trip, I realized I had just passed through security even though I had acidentally handed he my school ID! I'm not sure what they look for on the ID or what that UV light shows, but apparently my school card passes it. This was made ironic by how strict they were with Lisa's small bottle of lotion. Even though it was clearly less than 3 ounces in size, the official guideline is that it needs to be less than 3 ounces AND be in a quart ziplock bag- not in a pocket, not in a tupperware, not in a shopping bag. Ziplock only. After some bantering he finally "let us go" after we put it into a plastic zippered garment bag.

3 James

Getting away from virtually all responsibilities and life was an incredible and much needed experience for both Lisa and me. However, now that our batteries are all recharged, seeing James' smile and hearing his giggle and just getting to be with him again is the best feeling in the world.
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Jame's Gift

2008-06-10T17:22:00.000-07:00

We brought JJ a ukele back from Hawaii.
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I Don't Think

2008-06-10T01:03:00.000-07:00

That this method of information dissimination would go over well at Chicago or New York.
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Party in the Bathroom

2008-06-10T00:59:00.000-07:00

And everyone is invited. I thought it was funny all the bathrooms in the airports in Hawaii are marked like this for both the men and women.
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One Last Sunset

2008-06-10T00:56:00.000-07:00

On Maui before heading back to the airport.
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Dinner at Moose's

2008-06-10T00:55:00.000-07:00

We got dinner at this cheap bar (cheap since we don't drink!) on the boardwalk. We were just goofing around. You can see the new rings that each of us got in waikiki a few days ago in these pictures.
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Goofing around

2008-06-10T00:52:00.000-07:00

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Lahaina Boardwalk

2008-06-10T00:50:00.000-07:00

We had a 7 hour layover in Maui so we rented a car and enjoyed the evening on the boardwalk in Lahaina.
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Jurassic Park!

2008-06-10T00:48:00.000-07:00

The view right by uncle Steve's house (where we were staying). Obviously if you were to look the other way you would see the ocean.
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Hanalei Bay

2008-06-10T00:45:00.000-07:00

One last time, the morning before be took off for our flight home.
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My Kind of Ball and Chain

2008-06-10T00:43:00.000-07:00

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Fire Dancer

2008-06-07T23:42:00.000-07:00

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Luau Dancers

2008-06-07T23:41:00.000-07:00

And MC
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Lisa Learning Poi Ball Technique

2008-06-07T23:40:00.000-07:00

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Sunset

2008-06-07T11:55:00.000-07:00

By the Princeville hotel
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Hanalei bay

2008-06-07T11:54:00.000-07:00

If you look closely you'll see a sand crab.
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Hanalei bay

2008-06-07T11:53:00.000-07:00

Just another day at the beach.
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Back in kauai

2008-06-06T20:02:00.000-07:00

My studly man writing love notes in the sand. Actually he wrote schrodingers equation and a handprint turkey!
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Sunset in Waikiki

2008-06-06T00:26:00.000-07:00

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Hanauma Bay

2008-06-05T22:26:00.000-07:00

Snorkled here this afternoon...supposedly the best in Oahu.

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On Diamond Head

2008-06-05T17:21:00.001-07:00

Looking at Honolulu
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On Diamond Head

2008-06-05T17:21:00.000-07:00

Looking at Kona head
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On Diamond Head

2008-06-05T17:20:00.000-07:00

Looking into the crater
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Good Morbing Oahu!

2008-06-05T12:48:00.000-07:00

The view outside our hotel window.
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One sad thing

2008-06-05T02:03:00.001-07:00

My phone crapped out at night right before the Horizons show and I lost all my pictures of BYU Hawaii and of the Laie Temple. Lisa still has hers on the normal camera though!
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Mini trip

2008-06-05T01:58:00.001-07:00

Today felt like atleast 2 days in one. We got up at 4:30 and left in order to snag the 6:15 flight to Honolulu. Had one carry-on for clothes and one for snorkeling gear. Got in and got a rental car in time to get to the Pearl Harbor monument by it's 7:30 opening. Did everything interesting there and then drove to the other end of the island in time to take a 20 minute power nap before the polynesian cultural center opened at 12:30. Saw everything there (including the luau and Horizons show) until the place closed at 9:00. Drove back across the island and checked into the hotel in time for bed at 10:15!
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Horizons show

2008-06-05T01:45:00.003-07:00

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2008-06-05T01:45:00.002-07:00

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2008-06-05T01:45:00.001-07:00

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2008-06-05T01:45:00.000-07:00

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Horizons

2008-06-05T01:44:00.000-07:00

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2008-06-04T17:37:00.000-07:00

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Parade of canoes

2008-06-04T17:34:00.000-07:00

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Fiji

2008-06-04T17:08:00.000-07:00

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Tonga

2008-06-04T16:53:00.000-07:00

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Rental

2008-06-04T15:31:00.000-07:00

Our PT cruiser rental for the day while on the island of Oahu...or as I call it the "gaymobile".
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2008-06-04T12:47:00.000-07:00

Deck and other relics of Arizona...there is still oil leaking out of the ship at a rate of 2 quarts per day
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Remnants of gun turret

2008-06-04T12:45:00.000-07:00

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2008-06-04T12:44:00.000-07:00

Names of those lost on the Arizona
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Pearl harbor

2008-06-04T12:43:00.000-07:00

Pictures really don't do the grave justice
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Queen's bath

2008-06-04T12:25:00.000-07:00

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Approach to queen's bath

2008-06-02T21:04:00.000-07:00

Just another magnificent trail to the shore! You can see why so many movies have been shot on this island. It's truly a tropical paradise.
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2008-06-02T03:56:00.000-07:00

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2008-06-01T22:14:00.000-07:00

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