Michael's Shower

April Fool

It's almost April. Amazing. I've almost been here a year.

I doubt I'll get to post anything until tomorrow after noon, so here is my April Fools contribution.

My parents leave for England tomorrow as well. It is also there anniversary (on the 4th) and I offered them a gift, I told them to pick it out in England and send me the bill.

That is no joke.

Boston or bust?

I gave up trying to organize a trip to Hershey. I might just throw out the request to the ward list-serve. Its one thing to spend money on people I know, I can’t justify spending it on myself, so if I want to go I’ll have to bum a ride.

I got an offer to go to Boson for Easter, but once again it would be just me.

All I need is a car and a driver? A slave would be very good right now.

Missionaries Prayer

One of my missionary companions in Morgan City, LA had spent considerable time in the rest room. I thought it would be funny to sing a song to him.

“Elder Marshall,” I started out. “Are you really there? Do you hear and answer every call?”

Carrying on the tune he replied. “Yes, I am here. Speak, I am listening. I am your friend…”

The story would be funnier told in person.

Good lonely day

The day started out really well. I listened to the General Conference session and heard all the songs I have been humming the last few months. It was quite enjoyable.

I then had trouble with the programming assignment. I thought the day was going to crap. No good email either. Finally I found the summum bonum of sorts and finished one project. I celebrated by going swimming.

I tried to get a new building key to my apartment, but the lady was gone. I then ate while watching the latest GI Joe DVD. Now, I am here for the rest of the night probably. Wish I wasn’t in such a bad mood yesterday when I was around people.

I love Miniatures

Not as much as Walt Disney, but I find it fascinating to find a product or otherwise of something smaller than normal. I bought this tiny tube of Vaseline because I thought it was neat that they could manufacture such miniatures.

While in McComb, MS, I was able to go to a chicken farm. It was pretty smelly but it was worth it. I picked up a baby chick and held it in one hand. I could feel its heart beat and was just awestruck.

When I look at my niece, I can see her little body working so perfectly. Her little muscles and her little bones never cease to amaze me. I can watch her facial muscles and her little eyes all day and not get bored. OK, maybe not but it is just amazing.

Am I like Artie Ziff?

I am not as obsessed as Artie is with Marge Simpson, but sometimes I wonder why I even bother. I mean, this lady captivates my attention like no other, but I have been misled in the past.

I figure while she is single, she is fair game. Maybe in the future I’ll have better things to report than chasseing waterfalls… right over the edge into the jagged rocks at the bottom!

Anyway, there are days I wish I could just go up to her, give her a big kiss, fall in love, and live happily ever after. I don’t believe in fair tales, nor would I bet I am even remotely a good kisser.

OBX or Hershey?

As the time draws closer to Memorial Day weekend, I have heard talk of ghoing to Duck Beach. I went last year and it was alright. Maybe if I fo this year, I woiuld know more people. I’d probably go if a certain someone were to go.

I’d love to go to Hershey. Mainly, because I have never been. A big weekend like this might not be the best time to go here.

Where would I go then?

Ghetto Groceries

This morning I asked what Giant’s and Safeway had in common. Both stores were closed for a while today while a new Union contract was signed.

I like Giant’s and I most likely use Peapod all the time if I wasn’t so close to some stores.

One roommate found a place called Shopper’s. I teased him that ot was the Ghetto mart until I went to the store myself. It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t great.

Magruder’s Grocery Store, on the other hand, is the Ghetto mart. I’ve gone there a couple times because it is close. I ALSO fear buying perishables from my favorite store, the dollar store.

VeggieTales Gripe

It's pretty sad when I comment on a kids show. Ah, maybe not.

The dumbest VeggieTales that I have seen was this Wonderful World of Auto-tainment.

They invested so much time and money to define the VeggieTales image. This movie was a cheep knock off. If they knew they would run out of good material, they should have laid off the strong biblical ties.

The only tie to the Bible was this Wee (short) man and some random religious song at the end. Judging it by the theme of the show, the message in the song was unexpected -- which makes it funny and untrue.

The only redeemable parts I suppose, were the songs. Personally, they should have made another silly song-like DVD. That would have reduced expectations of a VeggieTales movie.

Let Zion in her beauty rise

I have been humming the hymn Let Zion in her beauty rise for months, but could not remember what the song was.

When miraculous on its own, I found the song by reading through the hymn book. I looked it up online and found it was part of the 1835 hymn book? That version of the melody was way different then the one I was humming.

Frankly the MIDI file I linked to earlier is a bit slower in tempo then the one I can hear in my head. I'm guessing I am just recalling when I heard the Mormon Tabernacle Choir production or something.

March Madness

I finally made it to Woodbridge this month. It’ll be luck if I make it back without being too sick. Everyone has a cold and I have been fighting off an ear ache for days already.

I have had lots to think about and a good amount to do. I indirectly caused my niece to tumble down the stairs. I allow her to boss me around sometimes. When I get away from her, she comes looking for me and tries to get me to do what she wants to do.

This time, I had been upstairs. When she found me she wanted me to go back downstairs. At a last second decision as she headed back down the stairs, I decided to do something quickly while I was still upstairs. By the time I got back, she was face down at the bottom of the steps. She must of tried to reverse her dissention when I didn’t follow her right away.

I finally watched the Billy the Kid show. I was turned off when I learned one investigator had worked on the OJ Simpson case. I figured his creditability was pretty much shot there.

Bull & Finch Pub

"Cheers was filmed before a live studio Audience."

"Which is better than a dead one" my Dad said after every opening.

I really enjoyed my one and only visit to Boston. I especially remember the Bull & Finch pub - which you all know was the inspiration to the TV show Cheers.

I got one of the seasons on my Netflix queue. The show brings back some good memories. This is one of the few shows I didn't mind watching while we ate dinner. Although I disagree with idea of TV at the dinner table, it was good times for me anyway.

Randy Read and/or Dean

There was a kid from Alaska named Randy Read in Mr. Olsen's 5th grade class. He was a nice fellow, good with the ladies and what not. Most of all I remember, he could run like wind. Fast mother, never could catch him.

He moved away. I guess. Two years later, in junior high, I met a Randy Dean. Nice fellow, good with the ladies. Wouldn't you guess, fast as the wind. Never could catch him. My personal best on the 1 1/2 mile fun run was a whole minute slower than one of his records.

To this day, I swear they were one and the same person.

Spring Time

On the bus ride to work, I noticed the blossoms on some of the tress. It was good to see.

Earliest Memories

I thought I had posted the story about digging for potatoes with my grandfather behind his ward building, but I couldn’t find it. I told him that I remembered that and he was quite taken back because the field has been paved over for 20 some odd years now.

I remember going to Regal Lanes – which is now a grease ball for the student population and those so inclined. While my Mom would bowl on her little league, I remember we went to the day care center there.

I remember my grandparents orange Datson station wagon. Prior to that car, I remember they had a blue and gray truck. It broke down once and we had to pick grandpa up. I think that was around the time he got hurt at work, Geneva Steel.

Giant bags of Ice

Well, for a scrawny 12 year old, the bags of ice we took off with were pretty big. I could not tell this story without laughing uncontrollably today. I could just picture in my mind four or five little kids running off each with two large bags of ice in each arm. The bags were probably the same size as the kids themselves.

Anyway, we got to talking about crazy stuff we did as kids. I told about how after a service project at the Marriot Center, we swiped these bags of Ice from the truck that was refilling the concession stand.

It was really funny. I probably made a terrible scene just telling the story. Oh well, I’ve been in more embarrassing situations.

Rough Times?

After Institute a few months ago, a guy named Jeremy came up to talk to me. Actually he was just coming to where the refreshments were. I had just shoved a cookie into my mouth and felt it was rude to try and talk. With my luck, the cookie crumbs would have gone all over had I no sense of decency.

I stifled a reply to indicate I couldn’t talk at the moment.

Without looking up, he asked “Going through rough times huh?”

What? Was he serious? I swallowed quickly. “What are you talking about? My life is always rough.”

He looked up. He was a bit concerned.

“Get over it,” I quickly said. “I was only jokeing.”

Guard Young

Well, I’ll be. I was googleing up some names of people from my childhood and came across the brother of my girlfriend from the 5th grade. Well, I think it was 5th grade. Maybe it is just safer to say grade school.

The story on how I found her again years later is interesting on it’s own. I felt kind of stupid when I did met up with her. It was quite awkward. It was after a gymnastic meet and she went to talk to someone, I wasn’t really sure. I obviously couldn’t see where she went and I didn’t hear her calling after me.

Anyway, I kind of wish I didn’t wander off because I never saw her again. We talked on the phone a couple times later. I figure she found out how apostate I was and ran away from me.

queer XQuery

I started to read more into XQuery, I should have known it was going to cause a stir when I first read about it on Don Box's site.

It is still very queer to me. And maybe I ought to look into it more. Frankly, I would rather look into a relationship with the special someone, but it is probably just as vain - I sure hope not though, I love that lady! Well, I suppose that is based on what little I know about her, and how I feel about her.

Frontal Lobotomy

I felt burned out on posting. Maybe it is because the weather was warm today and thought I should go running. Maybe this cycle in life is on its next phase. Maybe I just wish I could contact this special someone. Maybe she is just being nice. Maybe…

I should get a frontal lobotomy? From one of the great quotes from Insurrection, “There are days.” And there are… Often I wonder and often I wish I had some type of mental handicap.

Then I wouldn’t wonder and tabulate a “Maybe” list all the time. Then I wouldn’t be so self-conscious? Then I would not have to question how dumb people think I am by what they saw or the little actions they try to hide: their darting eyes, their astonished looks, their raised eyebrow… Then I would not be so desperate for a car and a driver to take me places I might never go.

Yeah, maybe. But then I suppose, I wouldn’t be able to enjoy the things I do.

Home On The Range

Maybe it is just because I am getting too old and probably bitter, but the last couple of Disney shows have been pretty lame. Home on the Range is no exception. I surprised there will be some fun parts to it.

I never saw Finding Nemo. It took a long time before I saw Emperor’s New Grove.

I loved the Lion King, but I haven’t seen it since I was in Bogalusa, LA. I'd like to see 1 1/2 one day.

Band of Brothers

I got one of the DVDs from Netflix. It was fairly graphic. I never thought, no , it was just surprising to be reminded how much street fighting went on. That to me would be the hardest terrain.

It is a great way to tell stories from WWII. I am just glad I never was in the war or any one for that matter I suppose.

I met a man once that was there on D-day. He brought it up, so I thought it was alright to talk more about it. I asked if he knew Eisenhower. The old man started to sob and I felt bad for asking.

My grandfather was stationed on the west coast for a time. All I remember is that he cut down trees and painted them to make it look like they were cannons and what not from the air.

3,000 cans of Chunky Chicken Noodle Soup

I put in a good 12 hour work day. 6 at my real job and 6 at the Cannery which should be my real job I suppose. Thank goodness it isn’t. It is a very tiresome work. I think the shift was longer than what I did in Utah. In fact, it was twice as long.

But the cannery in Lindon, UT didn’t have a Bishop’s Storehouse attached to it.

I later went to Institute for some silly reason I suppose. (She wasn’t there. Well, I didn’t see her but that doesn’t mean much.) I felt I did more good at the Cannery than sitting there at the Church.

Anyway, I figure we did around 3,000 cans. My job was to load empty cans onto the conveyor belt. There were about 15 x 20 cans per row and I stacked about 10 rows off the thingy.

Busy Day; Great week so far

That about sums it up. The rest you need clearance for. Just kidding. I told my friend James... and he lives in Utah.

Had a good Sunday. Talked with a special someone. Church was good except for the talks in Sacrament Meeting.

Had database troubles today. Ok, it was more than just the DB.

Going to FHE tonight. First one I've been to in years. Hopeful to see that special somone.

For Tuesday: secured a ride for a Cannery Assignment. That should be fun.

Jaelan Petrie (repost)

I sent Jaelan an email using the address I got from him years ago. He is finally in England. Well, right now he is in Denmark directing a commerical.

Cool, next he will be directing his own movie? I told him to call if he ever needed a good story or what not.

He told me years ago that he was going to England to some acting school. Maybe he'll be the next Harry Potter? Doubt it, Jaelan is too cool for that role. Besides, they probably want some dorky 14 year old.

Pentagon City Mall

I went out on one of my lonely expeditions. This one led me to Fashion Centre. Like with most stores in the mall, I can never picture myself buying stiff there. Maybe it is because I was raised on hand me downs, and cheap knock offs.

One year, back in Utah, I was out with a friend. He comes from a pretty affluent family. I was shocked that not only did he buy one $80 pair of shoes, but he got two pair. I could have got 4 to 6 pair at Payless. True, I take the unpopular hit and the risk the shoe will fall apart before I leave the mall. Even I had the money; I doubt I’d shop at places like GAP.

Anyway, the most memorable store was the Tobacco Barn. I could smell it even before I got to it. The horrid smell was so strong I almost hurled as I rushed past. You could smell it on the adjacent floors too. It was quite unbelievable. I would hate to work there.

Dealing with Regret

As “greeny”, or “golden” missionaries as we were supposed to call the new people, Elder Shwane was given the opportunity to say a few words. He related the council his father had given him as he went in to the MTC.

“Son,” he quoted. “I’d rather you come back in a body bag than have regrets about your mission.”

That council didn’t sit well with Elder Davis. He fidgeted around uncomfortably every time he played the comment back in his mind. When the floor opened up to the audience Davis got up and basically spat on Shwane's (the Dad’s) council.

“I’d be hard pressed to learn of a missionary who assumes in his own shower that there was nothing that he could have done better on his or her mission. If it is true that this missionary performed every word with exactness as did the Army of Helaman; that this missionary followed every mission rule, and he feels perfectly comfortable with his service, the missionary is either delusional or the greatest missionary every.

“I have only been out a few months, and I have many regrets. Not that I have done anything “off the plan” as we call it. The missionary guide expressly states that our job is to bring people to Christ through the waters of baptism. The Mission President retains the right to specify which activities fall under that prime directive, if you will.

“I feel I have wasted valuable time hanging out with members and “Eternal Investigator’s” although I believe I have established good friendships, I strongly believe I could have been out doing something more pertinent.

“I pray I’ll never be called to be a Zone Leader or a District Leader. I am not here to baby-sit other missionaries. I am not here to “Perfect the Saints”. I am here under that directive mentioned earlier, and that is all I want to do. Granted, I might regret that decision later as well.

“Maybe it is urban legend, but I have heard that a missionary that dies on his mission obtains automatic exaltation. As of yet, I have no desire to return home to a family that expects me to be the same person who I was before I left. I do not wish to leave, but if I must I hope it is in a body bag.”

I thought the both of them were pretty messed up, but they had some interesting points.

Last time I’ll be charitable?

I just got my Tax refund. I feel I have too much money on my hands right now and my acting financial advisor is out in Texas. Last week she was in California. Next week? England. I’ll have to look up my account numbers myself to unload.

I am sorely tempted to take up on this deal for Apr. 2-4 at a Marriot hotel in NYC, but I think it is still too chilly out. It might be fun though. I don’t know, I’d rather go to Hershey, PA.

I offered to take out a coworker for lunch because he is leaving. Not only did he not tell me he backed out of accepting my offer, he went to lunch without bothering to tell me. Everyone else was down there when I got to Joe’s. By the time I got my order, everyone had finished eating.

I ate alone. I know I don’t socialize much, but after getting crap like this shoved on me can you really blame me?

This might be the last time I’ll be charitable to those I know? Easier said then done.

Lake Mountain Tower

I just talked to my friend about his ISP business and his tower. He told me to go to here for some pictures. Joe is an amazing, talented guy.

We worked together at OWOL.bomb and we have got some crazy stories to tell. Joe was more in the loop, so he would have all the details. I just like to make fun of the MLM scam.

Anyway, I’m not sure this ISP business is being marketed by DigitalWorx.net, but this is where I would go if you are looking for some high speed Internet if you live within the 20 some off mile radius of this tower.

Databases rock!

Yeah, I said that. That’s about as amazing as what I did today at work. I would like to do more T-SQL (Microsoft SQL Server) of MySQL stuff. I would like to get some Oricale experience too.

I have written some sweat queries the past few days. I need to get a life, but I figure it is all but over for the most part. These awesome pictures I get from Web shots show me places I might never visit. I love maps because I think of stores I will never hear and people I will never meet.

Oh well, I just got to enjoy what I can.

Eagle Scout Beer Bottle

I don’t recall if I ever picked up this beer bottle that had a wooden arrow through it. My previous Blazer scout leader made it for me. It was pretty cool looking though.

I probably offended the guy be not picking it up. Oh well, too bad I guess.

I probably would have taken it shooting like I did with these silly mugs I got once. I had them shot when I couldn’t aim well enough to shoot them myself.

Countertop files 005

My judgment on what Micah did on his mission was about as valid as a baptism with out authority. I suppose one reason I never served in a leadership role in the GLBRM was because I could not care less what other missionaries did with their time.

I figured the Church will move on regardless of any one’s desirers or actions. So it becomes up to the individual to become involved.

I admit I flirted with more women on my mission than prior to it. Obviously it didn’t do any good for me. So am I justified in heckling the “Countertop”? Ah, I figure those who found their eternal companions or what not have just moved on to fulfill other missions of the Church.

Abbot and Costello

I just got the CDs of these comedians from the library. I find the Camel cigarettes commercials are just as funny as the routines.

Countertop Files 004

Was it Elder Davis’s business to call Micah? No, but it doesn’t change history.

I have told that story several times and I have always got a laugh. Had the story not been a comedy, but speculation into this assumed crippling emotional time period, it would not have been ethical to tell.

It seems unreasonable to obtain permission to publish a story that involves more than myself, so what am I to do?

Snowflake, AZ

When I wrote about the basketball game, I thought about the Shumway boy. He was one of the three I can remember who were on the team. I was 13, a year older than the three friends so I guess you could say I never really associated with them.

Anyway, I remembered something I heard when I was kid. I think it was a talk in Church that one of the Shumway’s had given. They had mentioned there were a lot of Shumways from Snowflake, AZ. I thought it was odd that one of the hottest states has a city named snowflake.

I like the architecture of the temple there. I didn’t make it to my brother’s wedding. I would have liked to have gone. Oh well, I guess there is another place I’d like to go one day.

Countertop Files 003

I have decided to create a new fictional character, Micah. I’ll give him the last name of Shwane after an Elder in the GLBRM. He had some interesting council from his Dad. I guess it will be file 006 when I get to that.

I will also need Elder Davis to stick around, because he was in that story too.

Since the stories are based on truth, a literary license is taken and has little reflection on real life. So, take for you want. I’ll probably kill them both off by file 009.

Best Basket ball game ever?

Well it was the last game of my short career.

At 12, the Church existed solely to determine which basketball team you were on.

I was on the Orem 5th ward team. We were, by reputation, the worst team. That was common knowledge outside the Stake as well. I personally never saw our team score higher than 20 points.

Well, there was one game. I got real tired of loosing. The coach wasn't very good either. He allowed his son and others, who couldn't even dribble, more game time than myself.

Not this time. I had selected my five starters. We practiced secretly for several weeks. Friday night before the big game, I called the coach and told him the game was somewhere else and at a different time.

The plan worked, and my men were ready. I had promised them victory and they believed they could do it.

Almost all hopes were shattered when the opposing team and their cheering section showed up. These guys were tall and undefeated. Except for the referee, we had no one from our ward to cheer us on.

We were like children to these giants. I had to prove to my team we could take these guys.

Of course I didn't get the jump ball, but I stole it and put up the first two points on the board.

''See, we can take these guys."

It was a grueling first half. I might have been ejected from the game if it wasn't Church ball. I had at least three technical fouls and four personal fouls against me.

We kept up a good 10 point lead for most of the game. My only flaw was l didn't have backup for my men. I planned to play the whole game, but I could see they were tired. Fortunately, Coach showed up. My men got some rest.

I was furious when I got swapped out. And swapped our for the Coach's son!

''I warned you not to take me out." I shouted and swore as I left the game.

It wasn't long after when I was called back and out of the rest room where I was washing up a bit. The game was over; surely even the Orem 5th ward couldn't lose a 10 point lead with minutes to go.

I was shocked to see that not only was the lead gone, but we were behind by 2.

The final battles left the score 31 to 30. I was fouled at the buzzer and had two shots to claim a victory or tie trying.

Why me, I thought. Why not Kevin or Jeremy? They are better at free throws than I.

I took the ball, and bounced it twice. I was disturbed with the utter silence.

Just like in the movies, the time lapse, slow motion kicked in.

The crowed erupted when the ball easily bounced off the rim and to the ground. One last shot for a tie. I bounced the ball in complete silence again.

The undefeated team stayed true to their title. I felt like a mouse and wanted to scurry away and hide.

I took one last look at the scoreboard. Half of those points were mine. The team was as awe struck as I was.

We walked home planning our next victory.

The team went on to the championship I understand, but I did not go with them.

Tonights episode (repost)

I guess I should say why I liked it. Well one reason was the start up gag about the universe. The view of the Simspson family starts out with them on the couch. Then like a camera zooming out, you saw the Simpson house, Springfield, Kentucky (probably), the United States, North America, Earth, the Solar System, the Milkyway galaxy, some weird streams or strands which I presume meant string theory…

The view just kept going backward. Then those strands started to look like double helix strands of DNA, and then it looked like a hair follicle, Homer’s head and then finally back to the Simpson family.

I said “wow” because the universe converged back onto itself. I figure that would happen if you could travel far enough in one direction, of course not like that gag... Then Homer said “wow”. You know you watch too much of the Simpson’s when you sound like homer.

The Sandlot (1993)

I watched this show last night. I like it for its story telling ability, James Earl Jones, and because I have some good memories of the movie. I think the story is kind of strange, but it is exaggerated a bit as I suppose any good story would be.

Years ago, I first went to Movies 8, the dollar theater, to see the movie with a lovely, young, blonde haired lady whose name I wish I could remember. Better yet, I wish I could remember why I never asked her out again. I used to call my little brother "smalls" after seeing the movie. I could relate to that kid in the movie somewhat because I was never good at playing baseball.

Jones had some grey hair in this film. I wonder why I never noticed before.

Google and St. Patrick

I went to google and noticed trhe graphic logo for the day! When I clicked on it, it brought up some awesome stuff. Most notably the history of St. Patrick's day.

I also get breakfast catered again. I had Christmas catered too. I wonder what their motives are this time? Business tax write-off? Ah, who cares ... free food!

I wonder if there is anything cool going on at the St. Patrick Catholic Church today.

Solvang

When I did a post mentioning my grandma, I thought of a cool place by where she lives in California. The place is called Solvang. It is a Scandinavian influenced place. I remember going there several times as a child. I wonder what I would think of it now.

Maybe it would be as fun as Holland, MI. I visited the town while interviewing with Meijer in Grand Rapids.

Fun with numbers.

When I logged in today I noticed I had 666 posts. Oh, it is the 16th not the 13th. Lucky break? Ah, I’m not suppositious.

The other day I got a veggie burger from Dutch Touch. I got a different drink than usual. I usually get a Shenandoah chocolate milk and some Minutemaid Orange Juice.

Anyway, the price came to $9.11 which was odd.

Mind Kumbing Drug

I have only consciously used T.V. as a constant sedative when I went to visit some people in Wisconsin. This was many moons ago and have never heard from them since… I guess I left a great impression…

These people were glued to the boob tube. I was tempted once to drop my pants to see if they would even notice. They probably just thought I was retarded when I waived my hands around. Assuming they took note of that.

This unhealthy fixation seemed to explain why the house was so disgusting. I looked at my watch and shuddered to think how long I'd be there. I forced myself to drown in the mindless dribble from the box. Soon I was no longer concerned with the habitat. I was in a dream world. I found bliss.

Then I went home to my mother's clean house. What a sanctuary. May I never leave again.

Jaelan Petrie

I thought I would look this guy up on Google. He is the man. I admired him although I was never in his inner circle. I don't think his Dad liked me. Oh well.

I had him for a Councilor in Sunday School. He and Brandon made execlent councilors. We had a great time. I miss those days.

Jaelan is an actor and has been in some awesome plays and Church filns that I have seen. One day, I’ll get a call from him with on offer to help produce a movie or just an invitation to his Oscar party.

Madonna Inn

I recently saw on the Travel channel a thing on Madonna's Inn. I thought it showed a sign that spelled the place way different than I expected. Turn's out I just read it wrong.

Anyway, we went to see the place once while visiting my grandma whom we call Nona. Nona lives in Santa Maria, CA. My Dad grew up there, well from about his Junior year in high school I believe.

Anyway, this place is famous for it's décor. Especially of men's restroom. When we were there some lady commented on the nice water fall. Most of us just laughed and said it wasn't just a water fall.

Warm day

I went running today instead of swimming -- which I should do tomorrow since it will be cold out.

I'm not going to blog much today because my hands hurt from typing all weekend.

Tonights episode

I admit there was some funny parts to the new Simpson episode, but overall it was dumb. I don't know why I bother to watch the new ones anymore. They have been very lame that last couple years.

No one cares what I think?

Well, it is true that none cares what I think. Or even broader, none cares what anyone thinks because no one knows another’s thoughts. Until these are put into another medium or acted upon no one will ever know.

Is it better to keep ones thoughts to oneself? For the pacifist, probably yes. For the outspoken, no.

I took a class on the US Constitution. The instructor who worked as a trail lawyer for the DA's office always made it particularly clear that the right to speak also means the right to be heard.

This rather loud and obnoxious individual in the class could not quite grasp the concept. He was probably unaware that he intimidated people into silence as he had done to me. I did not have the voice projection or volume as he did and was more reluctant to speak while he had an opinion on the subject as he almost always did.

Shadow

I have never liked to draw too much attention to myself. Well almost never.

I remember my grandma saying I was too quite. I guess I surprised her when I crawled out from my spot where I was watching T.V.

Another time when I was about the same, young age, I was hanging out in the Newels’ basement. I was waiting for my friend Ben to come back.

Well, Ben's Mom came down to do laundry. I watched in silence for awhile. I must have gasped when she started to take off her shirt because that is when she noticed I was there.

Covet thy Neighbor's wife?

This was one that always boggled me. I shivered when I thought about Ben's mom. None of my other neighbor's wife's were particularly attractive either.

One day while out working on the yard, I saw an attractive lady whom I first thought was Melanie Tenny, a girl I had a crush on. But what was she doing out here?

I soon found out that she was my new neighbor; a mother of three. This was the first time I recognized this commandment as a temptation.

Should have gone to Woodbridge

I have done very little this weekend. I did get some cleaning done. I watched a lot of TV/movies and ate a lot of candy. I did meet Heather and her roommates - that was an added bonus. I probably shall have made something because l did promise Jambalaya.

Oh well, today is another day.

Traveling by thought

A concept relative to science fiction and not mainstream to theology as I understand it, of interest to me is the ability to transport matter by thought. I’m not the only one because I saw a Star Trek Next Generation episode on it.

Isn’t Bill Gate’s book Business at the speed of thought? Incredible, although speed here doesn't mean the rate at which matter is transported. It shows me that the concept of instantaneous work is not uncommon. Antagonist have too much time and too little reasoning ability.

Anyway, I think it would be neat to travel to a place or though time at a moments’ thought. If it were possible I am afraid too many would use it for evil purposes. Like with every technological advance there are always those who use it for financial gain or to elude the law.

Good song from the Mission

I downloaded a MIDI file of hymn #284 from an anti-Mormon site of which I will not link to. I liked the song when I first heard in Louisiana. We sang it several times. My brother-in-law doesn’t like the song for reasons unknown.

I had it sung at my Homecoming. My grandfather, who has been in the Church all his life, had never heard the song.

I thought it funny, yet sad that this sites' view of the song was so foreign to me. I have never thought it as some magic spell to teleport me through space. I like the melody. The lyrics pose insights to truths yet to be proved to the world? Ah, take it however you want.

NYC Subway

The subway in New York looked just as it did when I saw it on Night Court and other shows. When you rely on public transportation, getting on another city's train is not very exciting. Even the Monorail at Disney World didn't excite me.

This linked image szhows a rather clean metro stop.

More Books on CD

I finally set out today, but didn't get very far. It was still cold. I went to the library and got some books on tape.

• The Old Man and the Sea
• The Diaries of Adam & Eve
• The Adventures of Huckelberry Finn

I have read part of the Finn book, but I figure I should at least listen to the classics.

The Bellwether

Like so many of my posts, this title is probably all wrong. But I liked the definition of the word. It led into a topic I wanted to bring up.

For as long as I can remember I have almost always been the one to take the intuitive in fabricating a friendship or starting a mire conversation. Granted it would be somewhat conceded to say that there are times I refuse to take the intuitive and let potential friendships die before they start.

Other times, I am just a jerk and tend to burn bridges faster than I can build them.

Anyway, as I often do, I step back and analyze the situation. Why and when is it my responsibility to take the initiative and say hello. Do not others share this same responsibility? Surely I am not sour enough to not respond to a polite greeting, but so often this greeting is never offered. Why?

When I want something, I defiantly take a proactive course and demand attention if no time slice is allotted to me. Granted that is considered rude sometimes. Too keep it short, I would end with saying that if I were to always take the initiative, would that show to others that it is good for them to do when I fail to say hello? It didn’t seem to work well in Louisiana where I forced myself almost every day to be positive and to take the initive.

The Jabberwocky

I was talking to my sister about how she thought Corryn might like to see the live action Alice in Wonderland that we grew up with. I asked if that was the one with the Jabberwocky.

“No, that was Alice and the looking glass or something.” She said. “That Jabberwocky was scary.”

Anyway, the other day jabberwocky was the word of the day. I thought it is funny how the timing of some unrelated events flow together like this conversation.

Countertop files 002

Micah (or Formica "Countertop" as he was known by my Dad) was a pretty boy. I didn’t like him when I first saw him. Probably spent more time on his hair than he did in school.

My sister liked him though. She wrote him often while he was in Switzerland. She went to his Homecoming. She practically jumped all over him when she saw him again after two years.

If the guy was blind, I would have loved to have kicked him in the rear to inform him that my sister liked him.

Anyway, I guess he finally asked her out. My sister wouldn’t stop talking about it. Then the countertop called to cancel the date. My sister was crushed, my Dad tried to console her with what is now called “make-me-cry” pie for other reasons. No, make that better reasons.

I wanted to kick his butt if he was lying about falling ill. Unfortunately I didn’t know where he lived exactly. I risked giving away my identity when I called him on the phone. If they had caller ID, I didn’t pick up on any hints of it.

We talked. I said I was Elder Davis from the mission. He hesitated at first, but figured I was just one of the hundred missionaries that he didn’t know personally. He told me of the songs they would sing. I gathered it was something special from a Zone Conference or what not and told him how I loved that song.

He sounded OK to me, but the person who answered the phone had to wake him. So, I guess his story checked out.

A couple days later when he was at the house I tried to say very little to him so he wouldn’t recognize my voice. If he knew it was me, he never let on. Frankly, I didn’t care. He went back to Switzerland to marry someone he fraternized with while he should have been preaching the Word no doubt. And who knows, they may all be US citizens now but living in another country.

Three Pooh Bears

I should have thought about it more before I told Corryn that I could see Winnie the Pooh. We were heading to the Times square in New York City. I thought it was a dirty place, but with millions of people tromping around every day how can you expect it to be clean?

Anyway, when nobody responded to my observation I knew I had once again misinterpreted what my poor vision was showing me. It’s not as if it was the first time my imagination or what not filled in what my eyes couldn’t see. Now why would I see three Pooh bears on one billboard in NYC? Maybe in Disneyland, but not here.

As we approached the billboard, the three yellow blobs with red t-shirts looked like the loveable stuffed bear. The very same instant my sister homed in on what she thought I was looking at, suddenly everything became clear. I guess we just had to get close enough.

Of course they were not Pooh bears! They were three baby chickens with reddish colored beaks.

Countertop files 001

I don’t know why I number this post. I think there is only two stories. I guess I just have nothing better to do.

Corryn was born about the time my parents got Corrian countertops for the kitchen. For a short while that was the joke around the house. Like most babies, Corryn was just as exiting to look at as a countertop is.

Honestly, that’ how I remembered her name for a while. Corryn just isn’t a common name I guess. Well, not for me it wasn’t. My new niece might have a interesting name too, but I have a trick to remembering that too.

Forgot the email?

I mentioned that I checked my email for a reason, but failed to mention why it was so significant.

Well, I got an email from my sister. That in it's own right is rather surprising. But there was a link to their site. The teaser had to do with their unborn child.

It's a girl!

Awesome, I always knew I'd get another niece. Hope she is as pretty and fun as Corryn is.

Colonial Game Night

Well, it was rather irritating but not so much surprising that no one showed up. I knew Heather and her roommates would come late and they even called at 8 when I was expecting others to come.

I'm glad Rosalind did not come. She would have been uncomfortable. I am not surprised Clay didn't come. I figure I would be just like him under different circumstances.

I checked my email as apposed to going to bed, like I wanted. Now, here I am typing after watching a movie by myself... Anyway, I was glad Heather came by. It was rather enjoyable to have them stop in. I'm afraid now that they will look for my blog site, so I guess I best ne nice. No, they were fun to be with.

As I watched Mask of Zorro, I thought about an old coworker named Valerie. With my Netflix subscription, I think I watch about as much movies a week as she does. Well, I don't go to the theater as often.

Anyway, I should get some sleep before the sun comes back up.

News Report

One roommate didn't come home last night and didn't respond to my phone calls. Not that I am his guardian, but it was odd that he didn't show. I figured he was with his girl friend, so I called again this afternoon. Once again, no response. That was kind of freaky.

About a half hour later, my phone vibrated but I could not answer it at the time. When I checked the caller ID, I found it was him. I had to listen to his message to prove he was yet alive.

I have also known for some time now that the Colonial Ward is going to split. Well, it is about time. I guess they were just waiting for the new building to be done.

Last item, there was free pizza over at the other building. They held it so late that it was pointless for me to go clear downtown DC and back only to leave for home shortly after getting back. So, I will go home now. Besides, I just got a call from ACTCOM and a delivery was made to my door.

Eccentric morels?

I thought I was being a little daring when I added some rated R shows to my Netflix queue. I had seen these movies before so I figured there was nothing wrong. Besides, I have the remote and I can fast forward of it gets too raunchy or what not.

Anyway, I’m hosting this little get-together and a lady requested that I show no PG-13 movies. That was a shock because I think the ratings are screwed up anyway.

Years ago, I remember laughing at Ed’s sister when she started to freak out when senses from the Rock flashed on the screen. I felt bad because they were part of the group that had brought these edited videos.

Am I just so desensitized that I am less spiritually off then these supposed fanatics? As Kevin Bryant would say, “We’ll I’ll be [danged]. And I probably will be.”

Hercules on DVD

I got the Hercules television series on DVD through Netflix. It is funny to watch the action. The story line is pretty lame though.

Twitterpaited

The other night I thought I came across a special lady. I was walking by, minding my own business, when I sensed she was near. I looked up to see someone, whom I could only suspect was her; I shouted an excited hello and got an even greater response. Then I was left to myself wondering if I should have stopped to talk to her.

I went back looking for her and every lovely young lady reminded me of her. Unfortunately, I couldn’t get close enough to visually confirm I actually found her again. Sucks to be somewhat blind.

I loved to talk to her, but I love more to know what I should talk to her about. Maybe it is better I just be nice to her. Agh, so frustrating.

First Date

Just a quick note. As I was out and about today, I bought some good hand soap. It is a lot better than the soap I got at my favorite store! That soap was called First Date. The smell made me nauseous!

Not dis’n Harry Potter

A few months ago my brother-in-law said he was ready to start listening to the Harry Potter series over again. I just got a tight twist in my stomach when he said that. I am not ready to go down that path again.

Now, I loved listening to the books on CD. I had some great memories doing it. The last time I went through all the books, it just wasn’t that exciting.

I think it had something to do with the excitement of the now book (book 5). Now that the book has come and gone, it was difficult to listen to the earlier books knowing what was ahead.

I can’t wait to see the third movie, but beyond that I see little excitement. Good entertainment? Oh yes, and I will follow it for that.

Matthews, Rowling, and famous people

I admitted to my roommates that I learned of Dave Matthews about a month ago. They just shook their heads in disbelief. They were shocked because I seemed to know what was going on when they had this long drawn out discussion about him the day before.

The other day someone told me it was hard to imagine that JK Rowling was a billionaire. I confused them when I said that I would not imagine then. I then had to clarify that I didn’t care as much as they did.

These people like so many other lifestyles, I will never meet or experience. So, it does seem to be productive to learn about them although it is often hard not too. I guess I just don’t actively pursue to know them.

Purpose and calling?

I have heard many people talk about why they thought they got called to the specific mission that they did. I have had many great experiences that I think were tailored to me, but I can’t say there was one underlining reason.

Who knows, maybe I’ll find out later. I met several people that swore they had seen me before. One one-legged lady said I was one of the few missionaries in her dream.

I really think I got called to Louisiana because of my speech impediment. That way I fit in very nicely. Depending on which side of the railroad tracks you were on, there was an entirely different dialect. Out side the city, you had some back woods southern drawl. It was kind of crazy.

Pilin

Nate, one of my old roommates, was in town for an interview. Living here in DC has been pretty adventurous, although I probably have not taken advantage of every opportunity as I probably should have.

Anyway last night, we went to Pilin Thai restaurant. It was very interesting because I am so uncultured. What I got was pretty good too.

Cori once told me liked living out here because it was like living in the university dorms. It kind of bothered me for some reason, but I never thought I wanted that experience anyway.

I guess these experiences are good for me.

Back to blogging

It has been quite the eventful weekend. I went swimming again near the T.C. Williams high school from Remember the Titans. I might get a pass, especially now that it is getting cold again.

I was only at my computer yesterday to post the brief note. I had to get something down every day. Well, I should. I’ve got a million thoughts and if I don’t get them down in this public medium or another more private one, the thought might slip away.

Tomorrow will be busy to. I’ll have to make an entry before I go to work. We are heading into crunch time and we took on at least two new programmers. I’m not sure who else they have on standby or what not.

Quick Note

It was a rather busy day. Need some sleep. Short, quick note... What a waste of time...

Hidalgo Review (2004)

Many new good movies to see in the near future. Around the world in 80 days looks good and so dies the Alamo – which should have come out around last Christmas.

Anyway, Hidalgo was a fairly good movie. It was pretty predicable and I guess was based on a true story. I found myself laughing more than I was immersed in the action. I’m not sure it was meant to be a comedy.

I thought the observation that the Native American Indians are somewhat related to those of the Islamic countries, in that they are both horse people, was interesting. Well, if you read from this book, you will learn that these people migrated from the area, notably Jerusalem.

The land bridge theory may be true in part, but I stand by what I have read.

Religion: What meanest thou?

I guess too often I take what I know to be true that I leave little for outside influence. I suspect most people do. I recall heckling those religionists in time passed and even present when I learn of their silly or ludicrous beliefs. I even laugh when I hear such gross assumptions about my Church.

I often wonder what people will say about the Church years or centuries from now. I have no doubt it is true. I believe there are extremists in every religion, but for the most part I guess people stay with what they are comfortable with.

The other day a guy said that there should be a competition to see which deity was the deity everyone should worship. I asked him if it was to be like Elijah and the Priests of Baal?

How would the world be different if we were all united? I know that when the people on the American Continent where united, it must have been a boring time. I mean 400 years passed in few pages. See 4th book of Nephi.

Fast Sunday

Fast Sundays plus late Church meeting time equals incredibly slow long Sunday. When I could sleep longer, I tired to get some cloths washed but to this was the first time I have had to wait for the washer.

I watched Johnny Lingo and some other short LDS films. I probably shouldn’t watch them because tgey stir up emotions and I don’t want people to think I’m a sensitive guy.

Rained on

We went to the DC mall, looked around a bit, got rained on as we left the Archives, went to an Afghan Restaurant, and came home. Erica and Jon came with us.

It was a fun day. We might go to a movie so I better take a nap... We stayed up and watched Ever After.

Combat Elite: WWII Paratroopers

Games are a waste of time. I guess unless you are the one writing or marketing them, then I guess t is OK. An old roommate/tenant is now in Reno writing this game.

This game actually sounds pretty intersting. I'd like to see it.

The Ideal Vacation

I admit I am not a proponent for Marathon vacations. My first visit to the East coast was not a pleasant one at the time. I felt I was marched from one place to another. I told my father, to his dismay, that I didn’t care for the trip at all.

Over the years, I realized how import the race had been. I mean, I met few people that had been to DC, Philly, Atlantic City, Boston, Ellis Island, Statue of Liberty and Boston. We saw the US Constitution and the USS Constitution. Not too many can say that.

It bothered me that my Mom would walk slower at the University Mall in Orem, UT than she would out of town. If I am in a new place, I’d like to see as much as I could; especially if I had a short amount of time. I’m a morning person, so I’d be up and out before anyone else. Come night fall, I have no problem with resting.

One thing that really bugs me is when I go to visit someone, a relative or otherwise. The fist thing they hand me is the TV remote and tell to make myself at home. If I wanted to watch TV, I would have stayed at home.

If I want a completely relaxing vacation I would not go to NYC, DC, Orlando, Los Angeles, or somewhere where there is lots to see. I’d go to Seaside, WA or Astoria, OR; an Alaskan Cruise; a remote hideaway; a resort like Snowbird; or middle of nowhere…. where they is little to do.

GI Joe

Joe tough!!!

I got a GI Joe DVD from Netflix. I used to watch this cartoon all the time. It was pretty cool to see all the tough gear. It's pretty silly to watch now, but what else am I going to do?

I think I had a few GI Joe dools, but I think we broke the legs off or something because I don't remember getting more.

GI Joe will be back after the messages? Hey, where did my messages go? I'd love to see old commercials. Oh well.

Webshots

I downloaded webshots a work. It's been a while since I first heard about this. I got tired of my background and I didn't want to go look around for some god pictures.

They have tons of awseome pictures.

FindFood2U

I just got a menu in the mail. I'll have to try this one day.

I love Netflix

Every time I get on Netflix's website, I am always impressed. Yesturday, I told them a DVD I tried to return was apparently never recieved. The process was very smooth.

This morning I added some movies. I love how it suggested other movies and put all those on the the list too. As I looked over my queue, I noticed a message that the Benji DVD was no longer availible.

I love being kept informed. They did a get job on thier busines model.

Breakfast at Dutch Touch

This is the first weekend in a month now that I won’t see Corryn. That is alright though I guess; I’m just glad they hadn’t moved back to Utah. (knock on wood?)

Last weekend Corryn almost got hurt three times. Once, I was taking her to the park behind the slums on Anderson street. To make sure she was not getting scrapped up as I carried her through the bushes, I lowered and cradled her in my arms. When we cleared the bushes I put her back on my shoulder, or rather I tired to carry her like I normally do.

Well, that was the intention. I think I used the same amount of force as when I am picking her up straight off the ground… With that amount of force, I barely caught her by the ankles before she disappeared over my shoulder. I thought that was why she freaked out on the swing later, but she acted up with her Dad even later as well.

Another time Corryn was jumping on the bed. No harm there, she does that all the time. Well, she slipped and would have rolled off the bed had I not just happened to be there where she would have gone off.

The third occasion was at Church. She came running to me and I put out my arms to catch and bring her up for a bear hug. She jumped, my left hand missed or slipped, my right would have taken her to the ground but I clasped, probably hard, onto her one handed and pulled her to me. She gave me a dirty look, but was Ok about it.

Anyway, I ate breakfast at Dutch this morning. Nate is in town for a couple of job interviews and we plan on going out tomorrow. Probably downtown DC and inside because it might be raining.

Swimming

I went swimming today after work. It was good, I'll have to do it more often. I caught a glimpse of my fat body in the mirror and was determined even more? We'll see what happens?

Government and Contracts

I got in a pretty heated discussion over how Government should not be involved in marriages or what you want to do in the privacy of you own home… I thought it was leading to my yet to be posted “Why society cares” blog entry, but the guy made the mistake of saying that the government should only worry about contracts.

I shut him down for a moment when I said a marriage is a contract. Soon, he went on. I told him my thoughts on the matter and told him I wanted to get married to my computer.

He shot me down by reminding me dogs, computers, etc. are not legal entities and therefore can not enter into a contract. I quickly thought and said I wanted to marry a corporation no matter how ridiculous it sounded.

The conversation was obvious not going to be resolved. Nor will the national calamity I suppose. If anything I will gain a better understanding of why anyone would want to get married in the first place besides the obvious to start a family and for Eternity.

I basically ended the conversation alluding to my “theological” or "theoretical" why society cares entry. Later I thought about the other end of a contractual marriage: a divorce. If a union wants to separate and wants the government to settle who gets what, then the government should have all right to set the terms for the union in the first place.

Quick Post: Gay Marriage

This is the second time I have seen the stupid hoe, Rosie O'Donnell, and her "justice for all" speech. My first reaction was how was allowing Gay Marriage Justice for all? If enough people want something (i.e. polygamy, marriage of 16 year olds...etc.) the same argument could be used.

Then I started to think about where that patriotic phrase came from. It wasn't the Constitution? The Declaration of Independence? It is in the Pledge of Allegiance - which is no better than a poem! It is not a legally binding document. Next time quote Robert Frost or Francis Scott Key. I'm sure that will really hold up in court.

Emotional arguements are better left unsaid?

No only has Rosie unveiled her stupidity but her argument is lame.

Reutun of the Nazi

I was not at home when the Nazi returned. Eric, who has been here less than a month, only allowed him to walk out with his bike. The whole incident was pretty funny but has caused quite a stir.

I looked up the Virginia State code on abandoned property. I woould need my Blue book to cite it right, but just go to the link.

Although it doesn't tecnically apply because we are not the landlord, one could argue he has had resonable access to reclaim his property, it has been longer than 24 hours, and he has stopped by at least twice already. Is not this reasonable?

It is furthered assumed he still has a key. The locks will need to be changed. If Nate entered in a verbal argreement or contract to store the stuff, I did not. Well, Nate is gone now and so is any agreement.

NY Skyride

If you don't want to shell out the money for a helicopter tour of NYC, take the skyride in the Empire State Building basement. Most of it was recorded in a helicopter. At one point, you could see the shadow on the ground.

The "Motion" picture ride then got silly and blasted you in to space. What a joke, but hey, it was $20 more I pumped into the tourism industry.

Oh, sorry. It's on the second floor.

No mullet for me?

I went on another Crystal City excursion on foot. I was looking for the swimming pool health club, and I just didn’t want to go home. I went a different route than the last time and even walked outside for a bit.

Underground is much easier to navigate. Well, there were maps all over. I might move there. There was a Safeway down there and several apartment complexes connected to the tunnel shops.

There was a Safeway in my home town once, but it got torn down for Smith’s parking lot. The Shopko Church, as it was known to be called, was right behind the shopping mall of sorts.

Anyway, I ate at this strange place called Kelly’s Cajun Grill. The place was practically deserted and I only had a choice of what they had on the heating elements. I stopped in to get a haircut too. I finally joined in the anti-mullet crowd. (Ok, all six of us…) I also got a McFlurry and some normal, expensive toothpaste and what not to prove I don’t always shop at my favorite store.

It felt like a birthday because I kept getting packages at work. I sent both of them to myself, but it was still fun. I ordered the original Johnny Lingo on DVD and about four more Charlie Brown DVDs.

Tomorrow I will check out the pool here in Alexandria. There is an indoor one on King Street.

DHS and SPAM

I formulated my "best" argument against the war on terrorism was when I equated it with the "war" on spam. As everyone knows, spam takes on several different forms. The most familiar of course is spam email. Spam instant messages or Internet pop ups are not uncommon either.

X amount of dollars are poured into combating spam, yet it still comes through. On that note, you could say X amount of money gets poured into the Department of Homeland Security to weed out the next terror attack. It will still be in a reactive mode when it happens. It's not a question of if. "No peace in our time" while bin Laden wannabes go free.

How can we determine the adequate amount of money to produce a desired result? What is that result? A sense of security? How much is too much? How much was wasted on futile leads?

Indy4

Not that Yahoo is the official word, but this was the first non hear say evidence (that I could refer too) about the new Indiana Jones movie. My goodness it has been years since I first heard the rumor. In fact I remember talking about it in the outdoor theater in Provo, UT -- which no longer stands -- during the start of Harrison's What Lies Beneath movie.

Gary and I made fun of it a bit. Harrison will be rolling around in a wheal chair chaseing down those Nazis While Sean Connery is bed ridden or something. It'll be like the Star Trek XXX So very tired joke in a Simpson episode. Or like the Rocky XXX poster in Airplane! or what not. (Note: XXX probably wasn't the real number.)

Personally, they shouldn't murder a great saga.

More notes:

I actually talked about it in a job interview in East Bay (Provo) once, a year ago or so, and the interviewer looked it up right there on the Web and said it went straight to Video already...

Glad I didn't get that job!

Oh, I did hear Lucus himself say he was working on a new one at Harrison's request. I didn't record the TV spot, but oh well.

Wesley Crusher

Wesley Crusher has been a conversational piece on and off at work for a couple days now. When I announced I was getting some Star Trek Next Generation DVDs through Netflix, I was asked if I was a fan.

"Well, not really." I replied. "I would never go to a Star Trek convention. Some episodes really bug me."

"Do you hate Wesley Crusher?"

"I don't like him, but I can't say I hate him like I hate Jar-Jar."

I was told all Star Trek fans hate him. I like Picard for the most part, Data, Warf, and Jordi. I probably spelled their names all wrong, but oh well. I didn't like Voyager because of the female captain. Deep Space nine was gay because you can't go too far on a station. I didn't care to watch the new series either.

Anyway, Wesley Crusher was the topic of my brother-in-laws latest blog entry.

I always wondered why this kid was so privileged on the show. I thought it was because Picard was sleeping with his Mom - which I believe came out in one episode. But I saw the episode where Wesley was elevated to the status he would enjoy.

Gary asked why he was the only kid on the ship. I told him he wasn't. In protest he said he was the only one you really see. If you look close, you will see other kids.

Wesley was like that "Q" guy in that they really bugged me because their stories had nothing to do with space travel for the most part. You don't see the other kids because the Next Generation was not about them!!!!

I did fashion an episode of my own that had Wesley acting like a teenager and somehow, with the help of other nerdy teens, take the Enterprise as a hostage. Or rather, the people aboard were taken hostage. But of course, I never put in writing so I never got to see it on screen.

Darth Maul

It was very irritating to me to watch Star Wars episode I on TV. I hate Jar-Jar and what I know about episode II just irked me as I watched. I just wanted to fast forward to the fight scene with Darth Maul.

The best line in the movie is “When you gamble, sometimes you loose.” Qui-Gon.

I hope episode III is really good.

I debated on whether to just go to bed and watch it later when I get it on Netflix. Then the TV recorder (ReplayTV) notified me before it changed channels to record ShowTime.

The Kid Unmasked

There is something about not having the cool cable channels. You miss interesting shows like this. Come to think of it, I felt behind when I was a kid because we didn’t have cable. It was probably for the best though. I mean, I would have watched MTV trash like my class mates.

Anyway, as mentioned before, I enjoyed Young Guns which was the tale of Billy the Kid. Like most everything history's view is often skewed and people are often left to their own opinions on the matter. It would be interesting to see and hear what they say on the notorious regulator.

In junior high school, the journalism teachers name was Pat Garrett. That school year was difficult for me as it was. I didn’t need to over hear her conversation in the darkroom. She said other really mean and untrue things when I was in the same room at other times! I don’t know what she was smoking, but I gave her a hard time after that. I was pleased when I saw the following years Peregrine Times paper from the staff. It looked like crap. She must have given up trying to make a difference.

Lyden Gardens

This is where we stayed in New York City. It was an alright place. There was no pool, but I got over it. I’d probably stay there again next time I go.

Now what I know to expect from the Big Apple, I can “drive the bus”. I heard the phrase on a JAG episode. I think it means to make the decision when and where to go.

New York was to me another big city, until I went in the business district. I wondered how it would be to work in a skyscraper. That would be kind of cool.

I want to take a helicopter tour next time too. Sure is expensive, but it would be fun. I’ve never been in a helicopter. I think it would be fun to take a boat ride around the city or wherever the river takes me.

Fun side!

I went to the Funside web site this morning to see what things there are to do in Alexandria. I noticed there was a St. Patrick’s Parade this Saturday. That would be fun to take my niece to, but she lives too far away.

What’s this? The World War II Memorial dedication? Cool, I remember seeing them do the initial construction on it. This is an excuse to go downtown to the DC Mall.

Life's cycles

It’s March, Baby!

The other day I enjoyed the warm weather and decided I need to get back in the habit of running. I need a change. I went running today and I hope to go again before Saturday.

I’ve noticed over the years that my life seems to to go to circles. Like the changing seasons, events and backgrounds change in my life story but the same story seems to be told. Some things don’t change.

I could entertain myself by posting a plethora of blog enteries, but I should enjoy the sun before I get sick of the heat. Besides, I feel like I accomplished something when I run. It’s just as boring and lonely, but it is probably good for me.