Michael's Shower

Digital Church

I interviewed at the Church Office Building in Salt Lake a few years ago. I was given a pretty good view of the Church's Intimation System technology. Where it was at, where it was going and other rather interesting things.

I've been rather impressed with all the online services they keep adding. Aside from all the publicly accessible information, there has been lots of work done for the local Stake and Ward level.

I've done some administrative stuff for my ward's own web space. It is very high level and rather restricting in certain areas. When you try to make things so easy to use, you lose some functionality. Oh well, it's still the coolest Church out there.

Police Brutality

In this movie, there is a scene where this paparazzi gets shot by police because he pulls a gun out his coat pocket. The media would have a frenzy over it had they had seen what really happened. He was not aware the gun was even there.

I could see anal family members or loved ones crying "police brutality" because the guy had not threatened the officers or what have you. Nor did the police order him to drop the weapon. Frankly, spammers and paparazzi I think deserve that kind of treatment.

I think it is silly to demand police protection and better law enforcement while at the same time tying the hands of the officers with somewhat restrictive laws. I can understand some reasons to cry "police brutality", but you hear all the stories about cops shot making routine traffic stops? Anyway, when I saw this scene, I practically yelled ''awesome"! Go cops! The paparazzi guy was a jerk too.

Saints

I needed to post a picture; it has been a while. I just watched the Saint again. I didn't like it the first time I saw it; not sure why I thought it would be better now.

Saints or just relics from medieval or the crusade era have always bothered me. I don't know, it is just something frightening about it all. "I guess that is why it was called medievil.

I was also told once that the "church" ran all kinds of orphanages because the kids were offspring of the priests and nuns who had vowed to celibacy. If that is true that is very scary.

Rosco's distrust (PG-13)

I wanted to write a story about Rosco's distrust of all the Vietnamese. I don't recall where I heard this. I wrote it in 1st person as if it was being told to someone.

When I first got out here - right off the chopper - my CO instructed us not to trust any one not in American combat attire. He warned there were no innocent civilians out here.

About that time a little boy came out of the wooded area. He looked beaten, was bleeding and crying. His arms were behind his back.

The CO kept commanding us to shoot the boy. When no one did, he took a pistol from my belt and dropped the kid in his tracks.

It was quite bewildering, but not as shocking as the shinny metallic object that fell out of the boys hands and rolled toward us.

I barely had enough time shout "grenade" before instinctively falling to the ground and covering my ears.

Close, Redskins!

Well, they almost won. It was a close game. I fell asleep duruing the 1st quater and woke up for the last. But, a loss is a loss... Looking over the standings, my old team is doing alright. I'll probably choose a new team soon.

Lazy Town

I honestly feel a bit better after talking to some fathers at work about this new silly show I was introduced to over the weekend. I guess the idea is for children to get up, dance, and dodge obesity. By why does it remind me so much of Brittany?

I made Corryn watch Arthur – which I liked to watch. I think she liked it too. Some of the web site was too much for her to understand… but I’d bet she’ll catch on quick. She’ll be reading by age 5.

In Kindergarten Cop, those kids seemed like … kids. Maybe Corryn is the exception to the rule because she is one smart… kid. Well that came out very nicely. I’ll bet she’ll do very well in school…

Another reason to where socks

I like to wear socks with my sandals... my niece thinks I'm silly. I forgot to pack an extra pair of socks and just wore my sandals today. The flip-flop sound as I walk really bugs me. I cannot sneak around! Second, the sticky feeling drives me nuts. And I got busted for dressing to casual.... Well, my Notre Dame sweat shirt didn't help.

Oh well, I'll have to pack my good shoes in and change when I get to work.

OK, one last thing...

Despite my feelings about reporters, I just watched Fletch. It is a fun show.

BS posting

I liked the response I got from someone who also read the spam.

I'm sorry - but I'm gonna have to call "BS" on this one. ... First of all, I know of no [one] who would announce to someone that they were Mormon, refer to their group as a "really religious people", be dancing at a bar and actually BE a Mormon himself. ... your friend didn't meet Mormon guys. It was a transparent attempt for the group to keep unsuspecting guys from moving in on their goods. Also, you FRIEND is the one who is shallow for letting this cloud [his] judgment on Mormons as a whole. If [he] is truly your "friend", [his] opinion of YOU as a Mormon should carry more weight. I mean, who lets a few people affect [his] entire opinion of a group as a whole?

Alright, enough of that crap.

Mail Call: Tunnel Rats

On a History Channel DVD (Mail Call) they said the Tunnel Rats in Vietnam where volunteers. As a Medic, my dad did not have to do this. I remember him saying once that because he was a lot smaller than most of the Marines, he was more fit to get into tight places.

Brave? Yes. I still think I would have chewed my Dad out if I was his CO. I would guess Medics are harder to train. Marines, by the nature of their duty, are expendable.

Mad Hatter Objections

Not that I wish to make a big deal about this. Nor do I know any of the people involved in the story. I didn’t even know this bar or where it was until I asked around because of the Church related spam email.

This lady forwarded this email from a coworker who was offended because of acts of some supposed “Mormon”. Here is the guy’s forwarded message. By know it is completely hear say and has no relevance in a court of law.

"I am deeply disappointed in your Mormon brethren at the Mad Hatter last night... I went out last night and the music was pumping so I was up for dancing. There are four attractive women dancing so I proceed to dance with them. I start twirling them around and we are having a great time when this older gentleman a/k/a a goofball comes over and says, "Hey, you know we are Mormon, right?" I said, "Nope. I did not." He goes, "Well, we are really religious people." I answer, "Great!" He proceeds to make it so I am no longer dancing with the women. Alison, the bartender, feels bad that the women aren't allowed to dance with me so she goes dancing with me which was a lot of fun. I simply couldn't believe it. I should have called you to join me and show up your brethren."

This Mad Hatter sounds like a nappy place in a very seedy area of DC. This “Mormon”, if he was a member of the Church, probably isn’t in good standing and doesn’t hold a temple recommend.

There are many polygamists in Utah that claim to be Mormon or Mormon Fundamentalists. All people need to hear, is the word “Mormon” and they assume relation to the Church. We all know what assume means?

“People are dumb, panicky, and you know it.” (Quote from Men in Black.) People are more willing to believe the word of a C average Communications major or Journalists than to seek out the facts for themselves.

If this supposed Mormon is what the guy bases the Church on, he is an idiot. The lady who apparently believes the guy’s story must be an idiot too. And I? Well, I figure I’m an idiot too in someone else’s view.

Stamp Club

l went to this Stampinup.com activity hosted by some lady in this singles ward. I figured it would be neat, although my sister would enjoy it more.

I wasn't the only guy there. The best cards I felt I made were of my least favorite holiday. I have some rather good stories about Halloween though. Like the time I went out with Ben McGalaphlin. He was a bad influence… I had lots of fun though.

Anyway, the stamping stuff was pretty fun. I doubt I'll do it again any time soon.

Totally awesome!!!

I have disliked Star Wars the more I think of how Lucas messed up episode 1 & II of the saga. The more publicity of the original coming out on DVD has got me wanting to watch them all again... yet I was going to excersize self-restraint and just wait for Netflix to send it to me.

I just got an email whose subject was: For Thu: Star Wars: Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back! It was from Netflix! I put that one in the number one sopt a few weeks ago thinking I would have a better chance of getting episode V. I just wasn't expecting it so soon.

I'm takeing it to Woodbridge baby!!! Most likely, it will come Wednesday.

UHF

Looking back I wonder where the time went. It seems like last month I was watching this "Weird Al" show with Andrew.

I remember how long those days seemed to be. When I wasn't keeping busy with a project of my own, the days dragged hopelessly on.

Now, I feel I should be more thankful than I do. In comparison things are not all that bad. With a little effort, maybe things could change indefinitely?

Pixar and LucasFilm

It was news to me that Lucusfilm sold Pixar to Steve Jobs.How did he know about Pixar? I thought Pixar was something his Mac team came up with...

US Mainland

have never left the county. Well, I crossed the border into Mexico once. I was off the coast of Tijuana oh my 3 hour tour of San Diego. l would not consider that leaving the country either.

I'd like to go to Alaska or Hawaii. There are still several mainland states I have been to or through. I would be amused to go few other countries, such as Canada, Australia, England, Norway, Italy, Germany. It would be cool to visit strange places in the world. Most of those places a picture would probably do. Zimbabwe, Johannesburg in South Africa, Igussu Falls in Brazil, Antarctica, China, Japan, etc.

I'm a rather simple person to please. Take me where I hare never been and chances are I would probably enjoy it.

Go vols

I got home from an eventful Saturday, just in time to see the last of the Tennessee game. I turned off the TV at half- time on BYU's game. USC was kicking butt. I kind of wish I saw the LSU vs Auburn game. Um, go Tigers!

I’m a Redskins fan this year. If they win again, I’ll have to send out another lunch celebration on Monday. This time I’ll offer drinks on me! Seeing how the people I expect to show up are LDS, drinks will not be too bad… free refills on soda!

Anyway, you can tell I’m a big fan of all sports! OK, just football. OK, if I miss the game I check the score them I pick my team! Really big fan!

A Look on History

It's often fun to look back on history and wonder what would I have done. Would I have joined Columbus? Participated in the Crusades?

I could see myself as a slave holder. I could see myself as an abolitionist. I guess it would depend on how I was raised and the treatment of slaves that I knew.

Recently I watched a movie where the transfer of power was presided over by a priest or whoever and not the monarch herself. I was reminded how the Pope often had more power the King. If I were there at a ceremony of this kind, I probably would have been burned as a heretic for taking the priests life or something.

I give upon love

I say that all the time, I know. More appropriately, I suppose, I have given up on love at first site many long years ago.

Yet that fantasy seems to linger sub consciously in my mind. With a little infatuation, like a catalyst or gasoline on a fire, this fantasy roars into life often taking over logic and reason. It's a hard and always painful flame to put out. Unreciprocated love really burns. That is why I really want to believe at least for me, love at first site belongs on pages of a fictitious Fairy Tale.

Unfortunately when it is out, it is very, very hard to fake even the slightest interest in the person upon meeting them down the road…

DCL pictures are up

Well, I finally posted some DCL pictures. Here is the link.

DrawTest ported

Well, Corryn will be happy I ported this simple drawing program to my lousy Axim. The application responds a bit differently (new OS) but I think it'll be alright.

I should have sent Axim back as soon as I got it. I had a feeling it was defected when I pulled it out of the box. It came way too quick - without the rest of the order... I think they wanted to get rid of it hoping they would get someone as lazy as I am. l guess it is better than the Classic toy, but not as reliable. Oh well? I'm alright with it, for the most part.

Not again?

I’ve been looking for a fun image to put up. It’s been a fairly busy week. I called my Mom up the other day to talk to hear about my plans to move. I guess I just wanted her to agree with me that I didn’t want to move in with this couple whose children are all grown and left the house. I felt bad that they needed the money, but I don’t think I would have enjoyed it there.

Anyway, there was some noise in the background. It didn’t sound as if she was at home. I thought I heard music too.

“Where are you?” I asked.

Anaheim was the reply. I swear if it wasn’t for people like my parents who go to some Disney park every year (at least once), Disney would be out of business.

I boycotted a few Disney trips in the past. It was a vain protest that there is more to see than Disney! Like this October, I gave in to go to Disney World for three reasons: It’s better than not going, I like Disney World better, and it would be fun to hang out with my favorite (and only as of yet) nieces.

In 2006, my parents have decided to invite (not take… I’ll have to pay my own way) all the family and it’s extensions via my siblings, on a Disney Cruise. It should be fun. Maybe by then, I’ll have a significant other to take as well.

So small and insignificant?

Every month I save off the posts I had made. Mainly for the pictures I link to and also for backup.

Internet content changes too frequently so I can not guarantee the links. Not even minutes after I post them. I almost have a thousand entries. Some are a great deal larger than others. While some barely have a sentence.

Anyway, I zipped all the files up and checked the file size. A floppy disk can hold what few thoughts I have recorded! How easy to misplace this minute amount of data. I suppose that some would gladly free-up the wasted space.

Separation of Church and State

This subject came up at Church. Or rather, it was glossed over along with other arguable misconceptions with the Constitution.

I felt it unproductive to bring up these points, but it would have made it more interesting. Anyone can read or listen to the book....

Netflix RSS

Always learning from Mr. Chris. Netflix has RSS feeds!

Techies are people too

I like reading from blogs that aren't so technical. Like Kieth's Brown's rant on gun control. I learn all kinds of stuff from Simplegeek. When Don isn't talking over my head, I learn about his coworkers and such.

Sabrina

I recently saw the tail end of the 1954 version of Sabrina. I thought it was kind of silly. Audrey Hepburn reminded me of a little girl.

I loved the remake with Harrison Ford. Not only was it more modern but the ending was great. The brother, David, had more business sense than he led on. Moved in perfectly to take over the company and complete the merger…

My favorite production of the tale was a play I saw at Hale Center Theater years ago. The version, they called Fairchild if I remember correctly, takes place shortly after the Great Depression. It ended on the note that Sabrina's father had been listening in on his bosses business trades for years.

The boss never instead on privacy. He made his trades in the car where every word could be heard. The chauffer bought and sold when his boss did. He got scared shortly before the stock market crash in 1929, and started trading again years later when the market was settled a bit. This had made him the wealthiest chauffeur and about as well to do, if not better, than the boss himself.

Behind the times

I thought I had some new information regarding the X-35 but I saw a documentary on Discovery Wings channel dated 1998 or so... Great, I am still on the tail end of the learning curve.

On the same show I was shown some really neat things. One of which was an accessory to a Mars rover. It was like a robotic bird! l don't recall hearing about them when Opportunity or Spirit landed. Maybe that project was scrapped.

Was it all a dream?

The weekend was great. Almost too great; I’m wondering if it were a dream. I saw the two from the DC area tonight at Institute. Yeah, I went for the free food.

I haven’t heard from the others yet. I really made a great impression? Or does anyone check their email as often as I do?

Oh well, it was a fun trip. I should just leave it at that. There are a ton of places I’d still like to go to. Hopefully someday I will.

Labor Day at DCL

Well, I'm back from DCL. My ride up there used this acronym. I had to take a closer look at his email when I glanced over it and saw this. One of my projects at work has the same acronym.

Apparently, my ride owns a place up there. I lucked out that it was relatively close to the place I stayed...

It was overcast all day. I was bummed that my pictures were not all that great. After I realized I did not reset the image size to increase the maximum number of pictures I could store, I stopped taking them. I should have just retaken them all and more. Oh well, click on the image here to get a 1600x1200 image.

Dialup Internet blows

But it is all I got here. It's been fun, but I have had a headache almost all day. Oh well, it has been great. Met a very nice young woman...

A lot of people canceled - which was nice because I like smaller groups and it is a huge house. The lake (Deep Creek) is rather small and very crowded, but I came here to get away.

It is my little brother's birthday and Melia's blessing. Unfortunatly I misseed both. Oh well, I had fun.

Laurel Lodge

Here is where I'll be for the weekend. Assuming I get there OK.

Google Images

I wish I could have saved off all the special Google logo images I have seen over the years. They are often cutesy, but cleaver.

If you are not aware, they put up an image that is specific to the current date. Recently, a new Olympic related image came up because of course, the Olympics were going on.

I have seen nifty Earth Day, Father's Day, and several other images. I wonder who's job it is to draw these. For fun I'd like to browse a collection. I guess that is an incentive to go checkout the site every day... just to see what the new image is!

Dumbo Drop

Can’t believe it is September (again). I watched a fun movie the other day. There were some really silly parts, but what do you expect from a PG movie? Speaking of which, I am going to go see Princess Diaries 2 – I wanted to go see this Benji show, because this lady only watches PG movies… Oh well, should be entertaining.