Michael's Shower

Last post for a few days

I’m going to Utah for s few days. It kind of stinks I’m leaving so late in the weekend, but that is what you get when you fly for free (kind of). It cost 25,000 sky miles and $7, not too mention the distress of having to fly when they would let me.

I can anticipate few things, and one is that I doubt I will get on the dial up Internet. Not to mention the lousy computer system my Mom has.

I might have to get a new computer myself. I kind of want to anyway, but when one of my roommates leaves soon, I’ll have to get a TV and a DVD player if I want to continue to enjoy my Netflix movies on a bigger screen. My DVD player on my computer isn’t very good either.

I’ll be able too see all my nephews. That should be fun. I’m looking forward to that. Nona is there too, but I wonder if I will see her.

Unguided supporter II

I watched an inspirational documentary called Prisoners of Hope. It was about a handful of Vietnam POWs who found religion. One is now living in Alexandria, VA?

I was reminded about how convinced I was that there is only two Churches. These men honestly found something. The Spirit testifies of all truth so regardless of which church one affiliates with doesn't diminish what they found.

What right did I have to say anyone belonged to the wrong church? Then I remembered that as missionaries, we are only to share what we know is true.

Bleeding, broken, missing – behind the scenes

I need to come clean about the story.

"Bleeding, broken or missing.” Was something my Dad always said to us as kids. Most of the time, it was pretty annoying.

Doctor Brown probably didn’t exist. I figured this story would be a fun way to make up the origin of this phrase.

The comment about Guam came from some privileged information that few are aware that I have. I debated on putting the line in, but it makes it easy to confess that I did pirate my Dad’s journal off his laptop.

It has some great stories in there, but not as many as I was hoping for. I guess going back 20+ years is pretty hard to do. Not only that, but he was also trying to go back even further to tell of his childhood and what not.

Someone once asked why I even wanted to read his journal. The easy answer is why not. Why do I have to wait until he is out of my life before I know what he has gone through? Besides, this document might not survive for ever. It could have been lost before I could read it.

I thought my Dad was Superman until he broke his arm many years ago. Now, I know he is just as human as the next guy, but much better because he is mine and not someone else’s. My Dad is the man and I love him dearly.

Grand Ice Cream

On the History Channel about two years ago, I think it was a Hands on History episode. I believe it was a tour of a factory of Edys. I recall that it told the story of Rocky Road.

I thought the candy bar ca,me first, but I could not verify that. I did learn Sam Altshuler created it.

Fun New Church Web site

I have had a link to the site for a few weeks, but I finally went to it. Who knows how long it has been online.

It is a really fun site. It is all about music in the Church.

Elder Rondam

I used tell almost everyone the story of the origin of my last name.

There was this one older lady whom I had only met once or twice. Anyway, one day at church, she runs up to me and says "It is so good to see you again Elder Rondam."

I had to chuckle "Close," I said . 'Real close."

Origin of my Last Name

I heard this story and thought it was pretty funny. My great, great, great ancestor went by the name Ron. When last names were given out, Ron had no special birthright, status, or job title. Some got the common surname Smith because they were blacksmiths or other craftsmen; others got Johnson because they were the son of John…etc.

The naming committee thought long and hard on what to call Ron. One day they approached him and said. “We will call you Dam-ron, because that is what we are always saying to you.”

Mmm, unexplained bacon...

I love to eat and probably to my hurt. I guess that is why I brush my teeth a lot, drink lots of water, and/or chew gum. Just so I don’t give in to the temptation to sample everything my tuste buds crave.

When I went out to eat buffet in Bogalusa, I didn’t recognize a lot of dishes. Nor did I read the sign, I guess. I was worried I wouldn’t like Catfish or whatever. I found a certain mush that was very tasty. I loaded up on it; I ate several plates full.

It soon became a rather local joke. Almost every where I went people would make some peach cobbler just for me! Ok, I had to share it.

Netflix queue

I'm hooked! Just look at these numbers:

212 movies/DVDs in queue
20 waiting to be released
3 per week (average)
77.33333 weeks to see them all

1.487179

Forbidden Fruit

I ate dinner at John Gadsby ’s Tavern and hotel. It was fairly good as Colonial food was concerned. The waitress was pretty and unmarried -- no ring! I checked her out as she walked around in her late 18th century dress.

My mind was on one thing during the meal especially when I asked for some cherry cobbler. It came with an ice cream scoop and one raspberry on top… I wondered if she was too embarrassed to bring it out to me because some guy brought it to my table with a smile.

I’m not much of a tipper, but I gave her my highest tip and my phone number. After I left place I wondered if they screwed up on the bill. It was the highest I had ever paid for just one person.

I then noticed the suggested tip percentages and amounts. D’oh! She won’t call. Or did she try? I got a call while I was talking to someone else, but they hung up after one ring. Coincidence? Probably.

Papa Razzi

I saw this place while in Georgetown the other day. I’d like to go here oneday. Before I forget about the place, I want to make a blog entry about it.

As I read the name, I was thinking Papa murfey’s or Papa Johns pizza. Than it started to work on me. “Hey, wait a minute. Isn’t that what they call those crazy photo-journalists?”

I also want to go to Gadsby Tavern in Old Town. I heard it was a fun place.

Unusable new toy

I bought some new speech recognition software but I don't have enough RAM! I thought a faster processor meant I could do with less. I need to talk t my brother-in-law about his 1 Gig RAM machine.

I debated on several things on what I should do today after work. Now what should I do?

I suppose I could get to Langley to meet this Texan I have been in communication with. I just don't really care for FARMS - which is what the Fireside was about.

Foote solders

As I watched the Rocketeer, I recalled the fun Elder Brandon Foote and I had tracting in Baton Rouge. We would quote certain lines from movies to each other.

“Where is it?” I would ask in a deep voice. I was mimicking this giant from the Rocketeer movie.

Bandon didn’t miss a beat, and in a whiney high pitched voice would respond. “I don’t know what you are talking about.”

“The Rocket!”

Another quote was from Back to the Future. “Roads? Where we are going, we don’t need roads.”

The Rocketeer

I liked this movie when I first saw it. I had read the book and it is always fun to see how the movie compares.

Like with everything else, people want to ask how you liked something. Word of mouth is the best form of advertising. Why do people put so much dependence on what others say?

For some reason I decided not to comment on the movie. Why does my opinion matter? My little brothers, who went with me, didn’t say anything either. That was another interesting insight to human nature. Did they not speak because they waited for me?

As a result of this silence, the rest of my family to my knowledge never saw the movie.

AFD Station 8

I hear sirens everyday from work or from my apartment. The Alexandria Fire Department has this station by my appartment complex.

I found myself wondering if these guys were just putting on a show.

As l walked by one day and noticed some guys washing down the red fire engine Those thoughts mentioned above went away. Feelings of respect, pride and appreciation swept over me. I even saluted them, so to speak, with a friendly greeting.

Minutes later they were rushing off to another catastrophe.

Shrek 2

It was quite the movie; very entertaining. I was laughing hard the first five minutes then I felt disappointed because the jokes slowed to halt so the story could develop. It got funnier as the story went along.

I wasn’t sure how this was going to compare to the first, but it was really good. I loved how they took stuff from Lord of the Rings, Spiderman, Mask of Zorro, the Grimm brothers (of course) and I guess Disney.

I was half expecting some Star Wars satire with the “Far Far Away” thing, but the Hollywood gag was just as good. Probably better because it wasn’t expected.

Taking out the trash

I'm not a tree hugger, but admit l do think about the environment. In fact, I applied for a job at the EPA once.

I thought it was outrageous that I could not participate in the municipal recycling project. The Condo association might have put out a recycle bin had enough people wanted it.

Now that I live in a more populous area I sometimes feel bad when I throw stuff away. I mean where is it all going? Surely there is no hole that can not be filled and a new one not required. I am just adding to the problem.

On the other hand, getting rid of the trash really helps keep the place (My apartment) clean.

Windows security

See Don Box has some good posts every now and then when he isn't talking about all his guy friends. Here is one that links to Keith Brown's new book.

My only regret?

Well, for the weekend anyway. I marketed a ride request as "A short trip to OBX", meaning Outer Banks. It works for me because I forget what it stands for sometimes but I know roughly where it is.

I should have marketed the request as "A short trip to Duck Beach". Even google found Outer Banks on it's first hit!

I missed out on a real fun time with my niece. I'm sure being with everyone else would have been cool too, but I would have loved to show Corryn all kinds of new things.

Voltron

As I watched this crazy Transformers DVD, I recalled other wacky Anime cartoons of which I never really cared for. I did like Voltron, the Lion version. The car version was alright. I got an car version action figure for my 16th or so, Christmas.

I might have liked it better had I received it years earlier when I would have asked for it. I had discovered a stash of gifts in my grandparent’s basement. Now, I don’t recall if I was caught or if they just forgot about the gifts until years later but I believe the Voltron toy was among those found.

I remember I was excited to see it. I knew it was for me. Christmas meant less and less with every passing year as far as gifts were concerned. I imagine I was disappointed when I did not get the toy that year I was anticipating it, but when I finally did get it, Christmas or something was dead to me forever more. Or in other words, it was no more about what gifts were coming to me. Childhood was over, I would never look forward to opening any gift under the tree again.

Keep a sense of humor?

Elder (Sorry, President) Packer was really talking to me this last April General Conference, especially with the line ''do not fear to bring children into the world."

Well, now I just need a wife and I'm all set? Too bad [sometimes] you can't get one from Deseret Book. (It might be cheaper through Seagulls though.)

Anyway, l also liked Elder Maxwell's talk. It was one of the few I could understand. Well, without a dictionary.

Son of a didly!!!

How am I not to be negative when among other things, not mentioned, I could not get anyone to take (i.e. drive) me to join the Mannings on a shorter interval than they were planning.

Most people I talked to are going with the Mormon Mob on Memorial weekend and so they were not to go with me? (Jerks!)

As soon as I got the email, which was like within 20 minutes after it was sent, I responded. Since I can not “drive the bus” so to speak, I tried to join this group that was going to New York City. I was turned away; I could not go!!!

Both roommates are out of town. One would have taken me to NC, but was not able to because he was called away for work in Atlanta.

More problems with religion?

I guess Gaza and the Middle East are not the only screwed up places in the world. I just read this article about Nigeria.

Mary-Kate and Ashley

I never jumped on the Olsen twins' fan club/ band wagon. I thought they were cute on Full House, but I thought Stephanie was the cutest.

Honestly part of me wants to see their new movie. I think they have become very attractive young women. If that is all I want to see, I might as well watch Mean Girls - which looks really stupid.

Due Comeback

I think the GI Joe cartoon is due for a come back. With all the bad publicity on the few rotten apples (politics excluded), the valiant, the brave, the honorable service men and women get pushed aside.

The new cartoon can be updated to the current time. It would be kind of cool to see a B-2 or F-22 and newly created characters.

A cool episode would show that this country and possibly others helped Cobra remove WMDs out of Iraq.

Yo, Joe!!!

Potomac, MD

In our short visit to this place, I witnessed many new and interesting things. There were several very nice homes, I wondered if they constituted the city as a whole or what.

I saw my first cicadas of the season. The humming noise they make was identified. It reminded me of sounds I heard in Louisiana.

I saw images of and heard my forthcoming niece's heart. I saw and smelled some beautiful roses. The flower's reminded me of my Dad's rose bushes.

Yosemite National Park

I found this cool website. I’ve never been there but I have seen pictures and an old film, on DVD now, of my Dad when he took a trip there as a boy. It looks like a really spectacular place.

I had a coworker tell me it was close to Yellowstone. Ok, he was guessing. I knew Yosemite is in California. He drew a map, and according to that map, I would say it was close too.

“Um,“ I corrected him. “First of all, you’re missing a couple states. Let’s see: Utah, Arizona or Nevada… Oh, and Idaho goes all the way to the Canadian border.”

Brood X is coming

Despite all the terrible things going on in the world, I guess I’m just being selfish when I say I am so not looking forward to these bugs! They come every 17 years for 6weeks or so, by the millions?

Look at them, they are ugly too. I guess I’ll be doing a lot more blog entries than I thought. I’m certainly not going to be able to do much outside until those [dang] creepy, crawly, nasty little creatures are gone.

I hate bugs!!!

Not a unique name

One year I had a doctor's appointment at 10 in the morning. I got there a bit early and waited forever. Well, longer than usual.

I finally asked them what the hold up was. They pulled out my file and said my appointment was for 3PM that afternoon?

It turns out there is another Michael Damron right in my own state. What were the odds we had an appointment on the same day in the same place? I looked him up when I was a student at the U.

I have looked up several Michael Damron's over the years. It is fun so many found my site and would leave a comment.

Unguided supporter

I invited myself to a dinner once. It was a fun occasion. I met a wonderful young lady there.

There were others present who got on my bad side really quick though. One whom I had met before was an overachiever from BYU. Another woman who I refer to as the Cougar, was flagged early because she was very vocal - which in itself isn't wrong. Anyway, when I learned this lady was also a BYU graduate and currently going to law school or whatever, I figured she was an overachiever too.

But it is not what I think about this "overrated" school.

Anyway what really got me was when this Cougar went around the room asking what everyone's major was and what not.

I admit I have made my own wise cracks about History, Communications and/or Art majors, and some of them rightly fit... probably.

This Cougar jokingly put down the lovely young lady that I mentioned earlier, when she shared what her degree was in. The University of Utah (or anti-BYU) blood in me boiled, I just wanted to tell this Cougar where she could stick it.

I went out with this lovely lady later. I forgot what her degree was in so I asked. She hung her head and reminded me. I was a bit shocked; a memory flashed before my mind and I told her never let anyone tell her that it was worthless. "A degree is a degree." I said.

Granted in the monetary system it is not very lucrative, but there is all Eternity to catch up or even surpass what these overachieves lay claim to here and now. Besides in the field of Computers, I could come up with quite a list of people making good money who never obtained a degree. My crown jewel would be Bill Gates himself.

Should have gone to Langley?

During the confusion after the final combined Colonial Wards, I stated that I definitely will not miss the mob. Elders Quorum dragged on past the allotted time and I was anxious to get a banana split – which was being offered as ACTCOM’s tribute to the ward split.

I talked a roommate of mine to go to the Langley Ward because his girlfriend was out of toen. The ward was having a big Munch and Mingle thing. The girl I would have liked to have seen wouldn’t have been there, but there were others I could talk to.

I messed up on the start time, so had to go to Colonial. At first I was kind of glad, but I started to question if I wasn’t just being treated nicely. Oh well, I got brownies!!

Oak Management

I learned recently about another Oak Management company. I’m pretty sure OAK doesn't stand for the name of the owners like ours, but you never know.

We just got a new contract and what not. That is what the party was about. I was eating cheese for most of the week.

I like where I work. Most of the time I really enjoy it all.

Mother’s day

My Mom is a speed reader. When I learned she was in to Mary Higgins Clark books, I knew what to get her for Mother’s day. I got her like 17 books, 11 of which have shown up. I thought I was getting a sweet deal but most likely failed to read the small print.

When I tallied up the several entries on the credit card bill, the total for the books was double the amount quoted to me. Looks as if I was suckered into paying the shiping cost for the supposed penny books.

Oh well, It was a deal overall. I got free shipping from the direct Amazon order. Here the books that showed up.

• Pretend you don't see her
• Stranger is watching
• Deck the Halls
• He sees you when you’re sleeping
• Snagged
• Silent Night
• Twanged
• All around the town
• A Cry in the Night
• We'll meet again
• Lottery Winner

Honesty doesn't pay

As l was looking for a job, one thing I found that it was pointless to be honest.

Most technically challenged recruiters or HR people would just go through a checklist for screening purposes. 9 times out of 10, l dare say these people had very little clue to what the acronyms and/or buzz words meant that they were trying to fix a number to. The number represented years of experience.

To avoid a situation like CodePlus, I generally tell the truth. For the money, I would do it again.

In this case, I did not intentionally mislead. On those jobs I really wanted and knew I could do, I could not lie well enough?

Well, what is the truth? Is it all a mater of how it is presented?

I found myself asking the other day if I have been so deceitful over the last few years, how will I know the truth in the future?

Dyke Marsh Wildlife

Today was most adventurous. I got up early to catch breakfast a ride via public transportation to Vienna, VA where I was to meet up with some people for a service project. Well, the service project was close to Old Town, where I spent the after noon before going home.

The clean up was fun, I basically spent the time talking with an attractive young lady indigenous to Virginia. I was hoping to eat lunch with the group, instead I ate by myself at Founders.

When I finally got home, I watched Cool Runnings before I surrendered myself to the Vietnamese. When my patients wore out, my exceeding tolerant attitude kicked in, but I still come off as an [butt]. I just wanted my hair short at this place is closest to my apartment.

iguassu Falls

Here is yet another place I’d like to go see but most likely will have to settle for my Webshots image or others off the Internet.

My little brother went to Brazil on his mission. My older brother went to Toronto. If you have been reading my blog, you know I went to Louisiana. I enjoyed it. I’m glad I didn’t go to Kenya like half my MTC district did. However, Mt. Kilimanjaro is on my list of things I’d like to see in real life.

These waterfalls are very cool looking, but it is probably safer to view from a distance.

My kind of castle

I downloaded a cool picture off Webshots. I looked it online today and found an aerial shot I can't find now. I could imagine what stories this castle could tell.

Good Day

It started out as a really great day. Only right before I left work did my eyes give me trouble and I felt miserable. That itself might have been a good thing, I was drawn to pack of hot brown sugars at the bus stop, had I not felt so self conscious, I would have flirted with the sexy high school girl.

Hard to believe it's been a whole year. One year and still without many friends, especially any brand of sugar. (kidding)

It was an enjoyable bus ride to work and the short walk I took when I was home. The sun was out, no clouds in the sky. I ate breakfast at Dutch Touch. Work was well.

I just had the longest conversation with my niece and watched a documentary on Ike Eisenhower.

Hold to the Rod

In a Zone Conference one rather apostate Zone Leader by my standards, presented his instruction on holding to the Rod. It was meant as a joke because the Mission President was Rodney Tueller. So his word essentially was the Iron Rod. I guess that was better then an Iron Fist.

I admit I did think the instruction was pretty funny and clever. It’s kind of hard to get more than a courtesy laugh in the Church, but people like Hinckley always seam to come up with something hilarious.

President Tueller was my second mission president. I liked him because he liked me. I swear my first mission president didn’t like me at all. Oh well, it’s been so long now ot almost doesn’t even matter.

US Wunderbar

The closest to a Wunderbar in the United States would be a Recess' FastBreak.

These snacks has more of a peanut butter flavor, but the texture and the chocolate coating were pretty similar.

Crimson Tide

The first rated R show from NetFlix. I must be a really bad man. Oh well, I’m already in [heck]. How much worse could it get? I do admit the language was quite offensive.

I've seen the last half or 3/4 of the movie several times. I think is a lot better if you never see the beginning - which I saw for the first time a few years ago. It’s not bad; it just seemed to give the movie away. I suppose had you not known anything about the movie like I did when I first saw it, you might agree with me.

I love submarine movies. They are pretty exciting, but I'm glad I'm on land.

Mormon Bible

''Doc," Rosco said as he sat down by his lucky charm. "What is this you are reading?"

Doc put the book down for a second, took the piece of jerky that was handed to him and explained.

"Thanks." started Doc. "It's called the Book of Mormon."

“Is that the Mormon Bible?”

“What?” Not looking up this time, Doc pulled a little red book out of his pocket. “No man, this is the Mormon Bible.”

Rosco took the book, and flipped through the pages. “Old and New Testament, huh?”

“Yeup.”

“Hey look, King James version. Just like mine.”

Farragut North

I went up to Farragut North the other day and I was once again shocked at the almost innumerable host walking or driving down the street. I think there were more people on the street than I saw in New York, but it really cold when I went months ago.

I like small crowds a lot better for some reasons. It’s kind of fun to watch large crowds though. Makes you wonder how each person perceives him or herself.

The business class might think they have the perfect job. The executives might wonder of thery're worth more than the next guy. The accountant might count up the possible worth of the crowd as a whole. The bum might be looking for the source of his next meal.

There was a Simpson episode that talked about how all the people in Springfield had a stout to tell.

The Happy Day at Last Has Come

The Colonial Ward has finally been split into two wards: The 1st and 2nd.

This song and “I’ll go where you want me to go” was sung during sacrament meeting. It was kind of funny.

Weird as it sounds, I will miss the mystery wall in the old building. I just learned the old building is as old as I am. The dedication of which was three days off my birth date.

Shatner and Nimoy Commentary

I watched The Voyage Home while listening to the commentary. I thought it was funny that Nimoy at first started to say he didn’t like the time travel scene and then Shatner started going off on how brilliant the artistry was.

My Dad and I both agreed long ago, that the scene was pretty lame. I mean you got these statue heads coming out of the clouds and all these weird images flashed on the screen. Wbhat does all that have to do with time travel?

I like the instantaneous visual feedback you’d get from the DeLorean time machine. I guess traveling through time while not fixed to some refernce point (i.e. Hill Valley, CA on the Earth), the position of the Solor system itself (not to mention the planets' alignment) may not be in the same place from where you started the time jump from.

Anyway, I do like this movie. It’s one of half of all Star Trek movies I would watch again.

Timeline (2003)

I watched this movie last night and I didn’t particularly like it. But I as already predisposed to not like it. The trailers didn’t seem all that interesting.

Time-travel movies are very hard to make because there are all these theories on how it is to be done and you can’t please everyone. I still think Back to the Future is the best time travel shows that I’ve seen.

The scene where the archeology students were going through this tunnel seemed to force excitement and the element of danger. I was hoping something would jump out at them…

I also didn’t like how they kept freaking out that they would loose people in the 14th century while to the 21st century counterparts, those time travelers would have already been dead. As Doc Brown said, “If the future me is now in the past, maybe I could look myself up in the history books.”

American History and Battlefields Club

I was supposed to go to Mt. Vernon today in this club. This was their first stop this summer. I’m guessing the club is made up of YSA from the area. Anyway, I had a ride arranged so I thought.

I accidentally deleted an email while online - the web browser email client doesn’t have a deleted items folder. I asked for a retransmit, but I’m not sure what happened. He had my address so I figured everything was good to go.

Last night, I met up Clay and Heather and the ward for some miniature golf. It was the hardest course I’ve played on. Or my age has clobbered my game? Ah, I was never really good at it anyways.

Lost rich Uncle(s)?

I was never close to my Uncles as I am with Corryn. In fact, we kind of keep our distance. I have one in San Francisco, whom I have met once when I was a baby.

I know this because I have seen a picture.

I have often dreamed, like everyone else that one day Randy will bequeath millions to me just like in the movies, but I gave up on that hope a long time ago.

Unlike Corryn, I only have three Uncles because both my parents’ families were small. Corryn has at least four Uncles counting me. Unfortunately, I doubt I’ll have millions to give her.

Captain Harris

The character in Police Academy reminds me of my Uncle. I remember once when my Uncle threatened to spank me. It was a hard pill to swallow.

I am all for moderate spankings by parents. I could take one or two from my Grandparents. I could accept a reprimand by my parents’ siblings, but from one who is only related by marriage? It would be like getting punished by a neighbor.

I pulled a "Captain Harris" the last time I was at the Mannings. My two-year old niece was acting up and I had to bite my tongue. After about 20 minutes, I finally said "Nobody likes a baby."

I crossed the line with that one. Even Corryn gave me a dirty look.