Moods

Feeling moody today. A few things on my mind. Went to Ogden last night to watch BYU barely beat Weber State. Ogden. Didn't care for that place. Felt dirty, old, tired. A worn down, depressed, town...which is interesting because Forbes just named Ogden as the 6th best place to raise a family. Even so, I don't plan on going back there any time soon.

Last night, at dinner, I sat at the table and thought to myself: "Self, you're being served food at a restaurant. You're consuming. This is your experience. You really don't know anything else. The majority of people in the world may never know this experience that you are having right now." I didn't feel bad. But I did feel the disparity of my experience with those who are struggling at the moment to make ends meet, or are otherwise poor. Along the same lines, I was talking with a friend last week and the topic of why people give more during Christmas time came up. One theory is that the elements of the season compel people to give. A homeless guy during the summer will get by but in the winter may freeze to death. I thought about all of the coats in our closet that largely go unused. I teared up while I was relating the thought to Oriah the other day. There are so many who need so much. At the moment, I feel like selling everything and going somewhere to serve people who have nothing.

We passed an $858 billion tax plan. I may have been one of 27 willing taxpayers who would have been ok paying higher taxes with the intention to reduce our debt. When will the Nation's collective conscience realize that this Country is sick and needs to take some medicine in the form of discipline and sacrifice? When will our elected representatives muster the intestinal fortitude to make, and stick to, difficult choices for long-term prosperity? I don't feel optimistic about America's future and sustainability.

Oriah surprised me last Friday night with dinner and tickets to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert. Mr. "Hometown" David Archuleta sang a couple of numbers. The kid needs to stick to the teleprompter and maybe not hold the microphone so close to his mouth when he's breathing but man can that kid belt 'em out! I was pretty impressed by his talent.

We woke up to a foot of snow yesterday morning. I also woke up at 3:30a and had a hard time getting back to bed. I went down stairs, opened the blinds in the living room, sat on the couch and watched the snow fall. I still love big snow storms. I think the inner child still roams and wishes that "school" will be canceled. Simple pleasures.

There's my emotional spectrum for the day.

Provo Tabernacle

Wow. This was some crazy news to wake up to this morning. I have been to meetings in this building and it is beautiful. So sad. You can find an article on it here. And here are some pictures:

ksl.com - Fire guts Provo Tabernacle (Gallery Viewer)

Friday Thoughts

Oriah did something this morning in a "Christopher Walken" kind of way. I can't really remember what it was exactly that she said, or did, but I've had the "King of Cool" on my mind since. Here you go...a sample of coolness:



In other matters: I went to a game shop this morning to pick up a game for a friend. When I was checking out I asked the guy behind the counter if he accepted American Express. Side note: I recognized this guy. I couldn't place where...but I know this guy. And after this interaction today it's good that I can't remember where I know him from. If I once thought of him as a nice guy I now think of him as a jerk. Anyway...I asked if he took American Express. He responds with, "Visa, Mastercard, Discover."

Then I thought to myself, "'No' would have been a much more efficient answer."

Jerk. That's all. Anyway, enjoy the coolness! Have a great weekend every one!

Patiently Waiting

After the fun of all the online shopping now I patiently wait. :) I have three packages left to receive, two are gifts and one is the Christmas cards I designed! Those should come tomorrow... just in time to send them out. :) I'm really excited about them and I hope they turn out well. The other two packages should get here before Christmas! Yay!

I am happy to report that there was no online shopping done at all yesterday. I had plenty of time that I could have done it, but I didn't even open a browser page to start looking!

Napoleon Complex

I've been labeled at times as possessing "short man's syndrome" or a "Napoleon complex" (a man of less-than-average stature who overcompensates for his lack of height by going for the power grab.) I think there was a day and time when that may have been true...more than likely during the Navy days. It may, or may not, still be true depending on who you talk to. Hard to say, at least for me - can't see the forest for the trees. I can say this though: I think I've seen the real deal over the past two months unfold before my eyes. It has been a pretty wild ride to see different personalities clash and the behavior that manifests itself when perceived power, or control, are at stake.

Simple Equation

Work has been a little slow lately

+

I sit at a computer all day

=

online shopping!

Thanksgiving Collage... better late then never.

Thanksgiving was great! All of my siblings were in town with all the nieces and nephews.

The. House. Was. Hoppin'.

We had so much fun! We decorated cupcakes, watched Thomas the Train, went shopping, played in the snow, danced, laughed, and lots more.

We hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and are enjoying the holiday season.