It's true I am proud of myself

I have written press releases and worked contacts that have led to articles in different technology and industry magazines before but I am especially happy to help a story get on TV. Last night KSL, the NBC affiliate in Utah, aired a story I helped coordinate about Project Read, a non-profit adult literacy group, where I have been working a bit since the beginning of the year doing community awareness, marketing, and fundraising. The story aired on the 5 and 10 pm editions of the newscast.

 

Then go to www.project-read.com and donate $10. We have a rather lofty goal of raising $10,000 by the end of March, $10 for year of the 1,000 students Project Read has helped in the past 10 years. If we reach our goal, it will pay the cost of teaching 20 of the 100+ students we will help this year.

Let your friends know!

I write for Project Read on Twitter @ProjectReadUtah as well.

The tastiest part of having a SWEET Turkish friend?

Homemade

Authentic

Baklava

A whole tray

For our drowning little taste buds to enjoy.

What A Neat Friendship

Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald

"Dear Ernest: Nowadays when almost everyone is a genius, at least for a while, the temptation for the bogus to profit is no greater than the temptation for the good man to relax (in one mysterious way or another)-not realizing the transitory quality of his glory because he forgets that it rests on the frail shoulders of professional enthusiasts. This should frighten us all into a lust for anything honest that people have to say about our work.

. . . .

Station Z. W. X square says good night. Good night all."

These two just make me happy. Both handsome, honest, remarkable writers.

I love what Fitzgerald is saying here, and I definitely think it is applicable in today's easy-to-self-publish-world. But I also think it is pretty applicable to work outside of writing as well.

Saw something like this today...

Photo credit

While running in the rain

Definitely puts things in perspective.

To Write or Not to Write?

WARNING, WARNING, WARNING: Super exciting (actually quite boring) blog post ahead. Proceed at your own risk!

I have been having this thought run through my mind a lot lately. I so badly want to dedicate myself to the mind jotting, which I know I need to do if I ever want something to grow from my words.

But this other thought keeps sneaking in: what do I have to say that is so interesting or important?

I know - hard question

An old colleague of mine made a comment one day that has stuck with me, like....like that black sticky stuff that bandaids leave - Gross, I know! Anywho:

So she fancies the art of writing (like myself!), and happens to be pretty talented at it (unlike myself!), so I asked her if she would ever consider trying to publish any of her peices. She responded with something to the effect of, "When I have something to say that means anything important or that people will want to read I will put it out there." We then had a discussion about the mentality that is required for a writing career, and she went on to say how there is something egotistical about writing that she can't quite get over. I thought about that, I am still thinking about it, and I don't quite know how I feel about it. It makes me hesitate every time I want to share my thoughts and words.

I mean, yes, there is definitely some ego that goes into the thought, "Yes! I AM going to write a book, because I AM THAT AWESOME, and everyone will LOVE me, and I WILL be the next H E M I N G W A Y!" Perhaps there is even ego in the more modest thought, "I think I am going to write a book that will interest some people."

But isn't there ego in every career, hobby, etc.? What makes someone think that they could be a surgeon, a teacher, a banker, a knitter? The fact that they already have so many credits, or experience in that field that they may as well go for it? Perhaps. Others' support? Probably. Interest? Obviously, silly! I guarantee, however, that another key ingredient is confidence or ego - even if it is misplaced.

Maybe I am making gross generalizations - that is not my goal, and I apologize if I have offended anyone. AN-Y-ONE!

Who really knows what my goal is in writing this silly post anyway?

You're right.

I should.

Maybe I am just trying to make myself feel better for thinking I want to be a writer, without wanting to be egotistical? But if what I am thinking is correct, and there is a little bit of ego in everything we do, is that such a bad thing? I feel like ego is oftentimes negatively connotated, and perhaps it shouldn't be. I can tell you one thing for SURE - I would much rather have an egotistically (is that even a word?!) confident surgeon operating on my husband in an invasive manner and being able to identify his cancer than surgeons who make the smallest incision possible and are unable to find anything conclusive! Sheesh that was annoying!

And maybe I am way off; I keep feeling like "ego" or "egotistical" isn't the word I am even looking for at all, but I can't quite put my tongue on the right one. Ah well.....

I think I am going to write. And try not to feel pressured to say anything interesting or important, or even very good for that matter. And try not to feel like I am being egotistical by putting my stuff out there, because why not?

THIS JUST IN!!!

Has just opened a shop in Orem.

This is amazing chocolate, people!

I cannot wait to go try....

EVERYTHING in this picture.

The toffee and caramel is to die for and the chocolate melts in your hands if it doesn't make it to your mouth quickly enough.

Fortunately, that is NOT a problem for me.

Thank goodness V day is coming up soon:

V chocolate seems completely appropriate!

Thanksgiving Remembered

We hosted our first holiday having some family over to our little place for Thanksgiving and it turned out really well.  I hope our family had as much fun attending as we did in having them over.  There was a little bit of stress but I like that cause it's exciting.  I did make one GIANT mistake though.  I dropped one of Courtney's beautiful pies.  I was trying to help out and make some space for the stuff so I moved everything off the top of our fridge, wiped it down, and put the gorgeous apple pie up on the left side of the fridge.  Then for some reason I thought it would be better on the right side and as I slid it over to the right side the thing just took off and I couldn't get to it fast enough.  I lunged but to no avail.  I had already started saying OH NO before the pie hit the floor.  Glad press and seal really works though.  It kept everything inside and the pyrex pie plate did not break.  We had Apple Crumb thanks to me. Everything else turned out great.  We brined the turkey and it was pretty good.  Check it out.

John Stewart Chimes In

John Stewart follows my blog post yesterday afternoon and announces his plans to hold a rally in D.C. to restore sanity to America.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Rally to Restore Sanity
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Tea Party

Hate in our Community

I have been thinking a lot lately about current events and the absolute venom I see in "public" opinion. I am having difficulty conceptualizing where this hate comes from.  I don't see it manifest itself as strongly in the daily lives of my family, friends, colleagues, church congregation, or in other aspects of my social circles but it is rampant on radio talk shows, newspaper article comments, and op/ed pieces.  I know from experience that my social network is compassionate, good natured, logical, and selfless.  I believe most people our community are the same.  Why then is there such a disconnect in the way in which I perceive people in my local community and national community and the drivel I hear in media comments?

For months I have thought the solution should be to avoid the media that frustrated me. I tried not to read the comments to online news articles, to avoid inflammatory "news" talk shows / TV programs, and to avoid commenting on political issues in social situations outside of close friends.  (My wife can tell you how that goes sometimes.)  I have rethought my stance and have decided that avoidance is not the solution.  They keep going and I keep avoiding, pretending everything is fine.  We need to have conversations.  Not the talk that seems to dominate social media today, telling you their viewpoints and then defending those views tooth and nail out of what seems to be arrogance and the need to be seen as an expert, but actual conversations where viewpoints are shared, listened to and thought about.  It is this type of conversation where results happen.  This is how friends should talk.

So with that I am sharing with you how I feel on two topics that are important to me and I welcome your feedback if you feel like sharing.  You can comment here, email, call, or stop by (especially if you live far away from me and I haven't seen you in a while).  I don't mind if you disagree with me.  I believe hearing other viewpoints will help make me more well rounded. (That and the desserts my wife makes).

Topic 1
Islamic Community Center and Mosque near Ground Zero

Let a center be built in the shadows of Ground Zero.  Let a center be built across the street from my home.  I agree with one of the developers, Sharif el-Gamal who said, "I am an American, I am a New Yorker, I don't hold my faith responsible for 9/11."

Two reasons I think this way.  One, in my mind anyone who is part of a religious, ethnic, or racial minority should be supportive of the project for the reasons Sharif stated.  When a member of my faith (which, by the way, is a minority and I feel is occasionally misunderstood) rapes, kills, or abuses someone I do not feel he or she represents me or my beliefs just because I belong to that same faith, ethnicity, or race.  I am not guilty by association.

Two, if not there, then where?  How many blocks away from Ground Zero is appropriate?  If you consider 9/11 an attack on America by the religion of Islam then how does putting it on 82nd street, in Brooklyn, or even in Kansas make a difference then 2 blocks away.  They are not building an embassy, they are not building a terrorist training camp, they are not building a nuclear reactor.

Topic 2
Illegal Immigration

The next time you are late for work or another appointment and you are driving your car knowing that you are going faster then the speed limit think for a second about illegal immigration.  You know that if you come across a police officer there is a chance you could get a ticket but often we choose to run that risk because it may be better to get to work on time.  I believe that is the attitude the majority of illegal immigrants have that brings them to the U.S.  They realize that they are doing something illegal but under the circumstances they face they feel this is the better choice.

Before you think about shutting me out let me state that I do not think we should have open boarders allowing whoever wants to come to this country free access.  I support immigration reforms.  I do not think the vast majority of illegal aliens are violent criminals and I reject the fear tactics that some politicians and others are circulating.

Yes, there is a problem with drug and human trafficking.  Yes, I recognize a lot of money is being spent on immigration issues.  I also realize that there are many layers to this problem.  Putting the solution solely on undocumented immigrants is short sided.  The majority of illegal immigrants are not the ones buying the drugs that are being brought past the boarder by the cartels.  The majority of illegal immigrants are not gang members and violent criminals.  However, treating illegal immigrants like they are part of the cartels and gangs will serve to make the community even more tight lipped and protective forcing them to the cartels and gangs for support our community will not give.

Let us find compassionate, logical solutions to the problem of immigration.  I really like this editorial that ran on KSL News in Salt Lake City.  Click here if interested ksl.com - Editorial: Immigration-It's about us

I am interested to know what you think about these or other topics.

Goodbye time.

I have one week left. Yay!!....wait....Booo!! That is the problem with this whole new semester thing. Those elements of a new class schedule that make me so excited are also the things I am dreading: the new routine; the challenge of a new professor - trying to learn their likes and dislikes when it comes to analysis and writing; new peers; and new book lists, which exceed 30 books as of right now!

This will be me. Minus the beard. I hope.

The thing I love the most about this semester - Fall.

The thing I like the least about this semester - Time, which is going to be missing in my social life again. I mean, right now I am this hard core party animal, but once classes are in session - all bets are off! Oh and sleep is going to miss me too. My pillows are already complaining as I am stressing to get my application to my major together, and yet decide to burn my time blogging about boring things no one really wants to read - and if you do, you are a crazier party animal than me! What should I be doing instead? Writing an autobiographical statement, answering 4 different 300 word reflective questions, writing a 1000 word essay analyzing an English Journal article, and creating a 7-10 minute lesson plan which I then have to record. I don't understand, who wouldn't want to do that! That's an English major's dream right?

In other news...I am really sad that "Mad Men" Season 1, disk 1 has such a long wait time on Netflix. Can't wait to start watching it! Too bad it's not showing up on any of my syllabi again.

Catching Up

Hey, everyone. I am making up for about two months of blogging tonight, because we are just that interesting! Hope you enjoy, and don't get bored!

First: The beautiful Washington wedding.

A close friend of mine got hitched last month and we were lucky enough to see it all happen in the beautiful little town of Leavenworth. They rented a huge group campsite and roughed it with their wedding guests-it was a lot of fun.

I fell in love with Washington when I went out to visit in 2008, and this time wasn't any different. I have also added Oregon to the top of my list of states to visit - absolutely beautiful. I thoroughly considered going about 3 hours out of our way to the coast while Wayne was sleeping, but thought that 16 hours of driving was plenty for only a two day visit. So... practicality won over adventure. Booo. I know.

Anyway, here are some pictures for you. It was such a beautiful wedding, and a sweet, sweet ceremony; I am so glad we were able to be there.

This was the river we slept by

This is what we wish we would have chosen to do instead of...

...sweating our butts off hiking! But, we still had fun and if we hadn't gone hiking we wouldn't have been able to get that sweet lizard picture at the top of our blog!

Next: The 4th of July holiday

Trying to get a serious picture of Wayne while we wait for the fireworks to start - yeah right!

My Personal Favorite - Classic Wayne

Finally!

The race. It was a lot of fun this year, though you couldn't tell from the following picture:

Though, I never look very happy in the pictures Wayne takes of me before a race. Case in point - last year's pre-race pic:

Look at that glare! You would think he would get the hint and put the camera away!

Last: The culinary skills of Wayne and Courtney

We thought it would be fun to try making homemade pretzels. Fun, not so sure about that; Wayne and I could use some more training on the rolling and twisting of the pretzel shape, but delicious they were! Going to be making some more this weekend if anyone is interested and wants to help us polish our pretzel skills!

Wayne is Famous!

I had to create a video for a class project, one that I would have my students do, and I decided to create a "book trailer" for Into the Wild. It was a lot of fun to make and I think Wayne is enjoying all the attention that comes with being a celebrity.

Memorial Day

My parents and brother came up to Utah for the weekend and an enjoyable time was had by all. Activities included bowling, hiking the Y, and a family barbeque in the canyon.

Everything to Gain

I was going through some thoughts I have collected over the years looking for something for a friend and I found this ad that I used to have taped to my mirror for a couple of years after I graduated high school and I thought I would share it with you too.

Too often we are scared
Scared of what we might not be able to do.
Scared of what people might think if we tried.
We let our fears stand in the way of our hopes.
We say no when we want to say yes.
We sit quietly when we want to scream.
And we shout with the others,
when we should keep our mouths shut.
Why?
After all,
we do only go around once.
There's really no time to be afraid.
So stop.
Try something you've never tried.
Risk it.
You have nothing to lose
and everything
everything
everything to gain.

What I call "list" songs

I make playlists to listen to when I am working or whatever and a while back I made one of music I used to listen to when I was younger.  I was intrigued to notice that there were a few songs that are what I call "list" songs that were released in the late 80s and early 90s.  They are not rapping and they are not really singing, the musicians are just kind of listing things off.  The Sue Slyvester cover of Vogue by Madonna on Wednesday reminded me that there was another song that had a list in it.  I had already thought of Mediate by INXS, End of The World by REM, We Didn't Start The Fire by Billy Joel, and Numb by U2.  All of these songs were released between 1987 and 1993.  What was it with this not quite rapping not quite singing?  Can you think of any others that might fall into this category?  I am not sure if I would categorize my other absolute favorites from this time period, Unbelievable by EMF and Epic by Faith No More in this category because they seem different to me but what do you think?  Just so you don't have to go over to YouTube yourself I will embed the videos of the songs I am talking about here. (Sorry, can't embed all of them you will have to YouTube what I can't embed for yourself)

INXS Mediate Released 1987


We Didn't Start the Fire Billy Joel 1989ish


U2 Numb released 1993


This is Epic by Faith No More (I guess now of Rockband fame) to me this is much different then the "list" songs.

More Favorite Commercials

A new one from Dentyne Ice


This little girl is one of our favorites.


Here are some of my favorite commercials from back in the day that make me smile.

The Many Faces of Wayne and Abby!

What was supposed to be angry

Surprised or rather, crazy eyes!

Happy

Sad

Sleepy

Game Over!!

Hope everyone had a merry Christmas!

The Rivalry Game 2009

A few photos from before and after the BYU Utah game.  It was a fun and exciting game.

Warming up before the game.  Cougars in Royal Blue throwback uniforms.

There were a few fans on the field after the game ended in overtime.

QB Max Hall got a ride through the crowd of fans.

A Little Bit of Humor

So for my creative writing class I have to write a humor essay. Wish I was a natural comedian, but unfortunately my writing tends to lie on the dramatic side, aka: boring! So I have been looking at pros for help and wanted to share a little excerpt from an article by Dave Barry from 2001 that I enjoyed. Hope it makes you smile!

"North Dakota Wants Its Place In The Sun"

"I'll give you another example. I live in Florida, where we have BIG cockroaches.

Q. How big are they?

A. They are so big that, when they back up, they are required by federal law to emit warning beeps.

These cockroaches could harm Florida's image. But we Floridians solved that problem by giving them a new name, "palmetto bugs, " which makes them sound cute and harmless. So when a guest walks into a Florida kitchen and screams at the sight of an insect the size of Charles Barkley, we say: "Don't worry! It's just a palmetto bug!" And then we and our guest have a hearty laugh, because we know there's nothing to worry about, as long as we do not make any sudden moves toward the palmetto bug's sandwich.

So changing names is a sound idea, an idea based on the scientific principle that underlies the field of marketing, which is: People are stupid. Marketing experts know that if you call something by a different name, people will believe it's a different thing. That's how "undertakers" became "funeral directors." That's how "trailers" became "manufactured housing." That's how "We're putting you on hold for the next decade" became "Your call is important to us."

And that's why some North Dakotans want to give the state a new name, a name that will give the state a more positive, inviting and forward-looking image. That name is: "Palmetto Bug."

No, seriously, they want to drop the "North" and call the state, simply, "Dakota." I think this change is brilliant, and could also work for other states with image problems. New Jersey, for example, should call itself, simply, "New.""

Have a great Thanksgiving!

2 New Words

We have just invented two new words: sint and sant. You cannot sint or sant in the street or in the office. You can do both things in the bathroom, swimming pool and the beach, but in the swimming pool and the beach you cannot sint completely. You cannot sint without your clothes on and you need little to no clothing to sant.

Can you guess what the words mean? If you think you know, post the definitions in the comment section. Winner will get two super awesome thumbs up!