Mormon Night

Ok L.A. family.

I have it on good authority that Elder Ballard will be throwing out the first pitch at the Dodger game on the 6th.
Although I will have to be wearing Angel Red I plan on attending anyway.
Anyone else going?

The New Religion

Global warming is the new religion of First World urban elites.

Check out article here

What do you think?

Celebrating 45 years Clean and Sober

As you may or may not know I spend a good deal of time responding to power outages when I am on call. ( every third week of my life at this point)
I often run into customers who have been out for some time and have been making the best of a bad situation as they see it by imbibing on some adult beverages.
Often on arriving at these scenes I am invited to "have a beer, we won't tell the boss!"
I used to just respond that I don't drink, or I'm on the clock, or It goes against my religious beliefs.
These responses are generally met with "Oh, you can have one just this time!" or "Come on it's hot out! relax and have a cold one", or "Just one won't hurt."

Some time back instead of my usual response I took a different tack, I said "Thanks but I've been sober for 45 years now."
The reaction from people who are drinkers and already 3 sheets to the wind was hilarious to me. They said things like, "Wow, you go man!" "That is awesome, great will power!" "That is really commendable!" even, "I need to quit myself."
I have used this one several times now and not once has anyone even questioned my 45 years. They just always seem to admire my sobriety tenure.
Funny how people who might have a drinking problem admire those who have overcome the addiction and don't try to entice one to have a drink after learning this.

So yes, that's me working on 46 years being clean and sober.

Choral Diva

I have to congratulate and brag about my youngest at the same time!
Farah tried out this last week for her high school's Chamber Choir which is a small, but their most prestigious choral group.


After making call back's this last week she
was chosen as one of only 2 freshman to be selected for next year's group.
I think she has found something that she really loves.

District Award of Merit

Congratulations to both Karen and Jeff who became recipients of the
District Award of Merit.
This means that they have been recognized by others in their local scout district for their exceptional contributions to scouting in their area.
I don't believe that I have ever seen a husband and wife be awarded this at the same time.
Truly exceptional, and shows their dedication to scouting.

Now they get to add this knot to their collection.
Well done both of you!

In With The New

January came and I decided that I really wanted to expand my appreciation and knowledge for some different things in life.
Besides reading more books, (which is a great way to do this actually) I wanted to experience something new, learn about something new, and actually appreciate something new.
This would have to do with music.

Now I like to think that I have a somewhat broad taste in music, I particularly love rock music from all the decades, Doo- Wop to Motown, R&B to Southern Boogie, Hard Rock and Soft Rock; and (My guilty pleasure of the early 80's, Michael Jackson's Thriller album, rather unacceptable in my hard rock high school days. Listen to Pop? No way! Big Hair bands all the way!)
I liked the New Wave sound, from the Talking Heads and Elvis Costello to Level 42 and New Order.
Having pre-teen girls a few years back I got drug into the whole Boy Band thing, and yes, I have seen the Backsteet Boys in concert.
Angry girl bands have been popular lately. My girls, the iTune queens are getting a step or two ahead of me these days with the new stuff for their ipods, although when one say's "Hey dad, did we get the new Pink song?" I say,"Yah, I got it already."
In the last few years I have taken to Evanescence, the Kaiser Chiefs, MCR, and I even got hooked on a catchy little song by HIM of all bands awhile back.
And of course, I will go see Rush until the day they stop touring.
That said, I come back to the original reason for this post.

You know how it is when you sit in fast and testimony meeting and you listen to a new convert who is on fire with their new testimony of the gospel and they want to share it with everyone?
That is how I feel now about my new music passion. It's not something that has come naturally to me. In fact I probably needed the 45 years of maturity to get to this point. Now I am definitely at that point and I can't get enough.
I really owe it to my SiriusXM radio. I can listen to it whenever I am in my truck, (I spend a lot of time in my work truck) and the station is XM79 Met Opera Radio.
That's right opera.
I hardly listen to any other stations at this point in time.
The Met broadcasts several live operas throughout the week and the hostess does a wonderful job of explaining what is happening in each upcoming act.
I have discovered that I rather enjoy the Italian and German operas more that the ones in English (now I want to learn Italian) . I actually can understand quite a bit of the Italian ones due to my spanish/latin link.
I have several favorites now starting with Donizetti's "L'Elisir d'Amore",


Dvorak's "Rusalka",(sung in Czech)


Verdi's "Aida","Macbeth", and "Il Travatore",

Puccini's "Tosca" and of course "La Boheme"


Wagner's "Tristan und Isolde"

Mozart's "The Magic Flute" and "The Marriage of Figaro"

Just to name a few.
Now I come home and look up new ones that I hear during the day and read biographies of composers.

So I say jump in with both feet! Don't wait 'til your 45! There is a reason that this music and singing style has withstood the test of time, it's rich, deep, layered, sad, funny, serious, and profoundly beautiful.

And yes I have several books on opera now.
Along with a whole new genre on my iPod.

I have to leave off now.
I have a listening appointment with my Met Opera radio.

Did you ever have an addiction that was passed on to you?

I blame Heather for this one.

Passing on to me a show that only has half a season to it's credit!
The nerve!

And now there will never be more and I am hooked.

A better mix of SciFi and Western I have not seen.
Thank goodness for ebay, now I have my own dvd's of it.
Gor ram show!

Deal of the Week

Ok, here is a worth while entry.
I have been actively seeking out emergency prep deals
and here is one.
This is a one month supply for 3 people.
You can check it out on Ebay at this item number
110333623633

Pandemonium

It just goes to show that you just can't be too careful with forwarded emails.
Lesson: Do your own research. The phrase "even the very elect" comes to mind.
As soon as I put it on the blog I get an e-mail showing the "Urban Legend" side of the previous post. The brother who got us all talking of this apologized and now so do I.
Just shows what can happen when you jump to conclusions and try to take your leaders there too.

However it was also pointed out that the websites are legit, both the church's and the Govt. So use the info that is there and take it for what it is worth.
It's still good to be prepared. But stirring people up to do it with "urban legends" is not the way.

Pandemic

This was a topic of discussion at our last HC meeting.
I thought it was worth passing it along if for no other reason than to help prod us along on getting our 3 month supply going at least and the one year after that.
I don't believe in raising a panic flag but I do believe in being prepared and following the Lord's counsel in being ready for whatever will come our way. So take it for what it is worth.

This isn't to scare anyone - just to provide a 'heads up' as 'to be
forewarned is to be forearmed.' "


http://providentliving.org/content/display/0,11666,8041-1-4414-1,00.html

The government also had a website:

http://www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/tab3.html

Ensign (not pronounced en-sign)

Ok, I know I am probably the last one to see it, but I'm using it to post anyway.
So, did everyone see the picture of Mary and Genieve in the Ensign?
I thought it was a great moment captured.

Ember Rose Is Here! And I'm An Uncle Again!

Notice that I am the first one to get a picture of Steve with his daughter, he is usually behind the camera!

She's Gorgeous!

I'm braggin' cause I got to be there when she got home from the hospital!

And despite what Drake says, she's all Heather and Steve's.

Pray for the POTUS elect!

All five of you who actually read this blog know what my political leanings tend to be. To say that I am not a big fan of the incoming POTUS is not a far reach on my part. Then again I was not a big fan of his political opponent in the last election either. More and more I believe I am becoming a political athiest, but that's a topic for another post.
Which brings me to the reason for this post.
I now truly feel sorry for Mr. Obama and my heart goes out to him in this matter of grave concern.
To see why, you can read here.
And may our prayers be with him.

Let Me Be The First!

Congratulations Bishop Bob!
We know you"ll do great!

In the Dark!

Am I the only one us who did not know that our cousin Jonathon passed away six months ago?
How is it that nobody talks about this in our family?
I would of at least liked to have had the option to have attended his funeral.

Ok, if you want to see what is happening with my family you need to check out Shelly's blog. She is the picture posting guru around here.

Piece of Cake!

I know, I know, I have completely fallen off the blogasphere. (it's round I couldn't help it)

Well, I will have to leave for another post my reason for posting the Proclamation on the Family for so long.

In the mean time...
Out here in the Golden State we have had an important ballot issue that you may have heard about. It is called Proposition 8, the Protect Marriage initiative. It limits marriage in California to between a man and a woman.
Attorney General Moonbeam has put the language on the ballot to read: "Eliminates right of same-sex couples to marry."
The Brethren have asked us to stand in the breach on this issue and support Prop 8 with our time and treasure.

Today was a bit of time.

I spent this afternoon/evening with members of my ward waving yes on Prop 8 signs on busy street corners in our town.
I was a bit nervous at first I admit. Any time that you are openly putting yourself out there on an important issue, and showing the public at large where you stand can be intimidating. But it also was invigorating and eye opening.

I live in a small town, about 20,000 population.
Those of us working our intersection estimated that the responses we got from people was about 80% positive versus 20% negative.
Of the negative responses that we got 80% of those took the time to roll down the window and be truly vitriolic. Calling us F#$%^* degenerates, F#$%* that S#%*, F#$%^* homophobes, and giving us the bird. Truly classic opposition in these matters, when all else fails use foul language and name calling to get your side heard.

There is no in between on this one. There is a right and a wrong side to be on.

The gay rights leader in San Francisco is the one who put the importance of this whole election in context though when he said in news article on Prop 8, "The whole Prop 8 thing really doesn't concern me that much. The important issue is electing Obama president, then he will appoint judges who will guarantee that we will have gay marriage nation wide".

I have to agree with him, that is the real issue. Prop 8 in California is just one slice, and they want the whole cake.

The Family: A Proclamation to the World

The First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles
of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

WE, THE FIRST PRESIDENCY and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of His children.

ALL HUMAN BEINGS - male and female - are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.

IN THE PREMORTAL REALM, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshipped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize his or her divine destiny as an heir of eternal life. The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.

THE FIRST COMMANDMENT that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God's commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.

WE DECLARE the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God's eternal plan.

HUSBAND AND WIFE have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. "Children are an heritage of the Lord" (Psalms 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another, to observe the commandments of God and to be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives - mothers and fathers - will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.

THE FAMILY is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed.

WE WARN that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.

WE CALL UPON responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society.

This proclamation was read by President Gordon B. Hinckley as part of his message at the General Relief Society Meeting held September 23, 1995, in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Summer in the City

Inside of the human kaleidescope at the Exploratorium.

Fine arts at the Palace of Fine Arts

Obligatory cable car

AT&T Park in SF

The Palace of Fine Arts was undergoing renovations but the scenery was beautiful nonetheless.

Top of Coit Tower

Beach in front of the Maritime Museum

No trip is complete without a visit to Zachary's pizza in Oakland.

top of Coit Tower again

A short few days at the SF Marriott brought to you by Priceline.com
Who I highly recommend for last minute deals!

Hannah's Wedding

OK so I haven't quite got it down in the Posting Pictures in the right order yet. (Hannah and Robbie were originally the lead off photos) I'll have to consult with Barb.
You can see my best efforts here non the less.

I've had the good fortune throughout my life to always be surrounded be good looking women!