Michael's Shower

Christmas comes but early…

Too early?

I got two Christmas packages today. OK, I bought them for myself so I suppose that doesn’t count. I just hate getting disappointed; so I best get what I want. Trouble is somethings aren’t worth the expense. I never had a rich uncle and I want to encourage my “family” to do more with what I did not.

Anyway, whatever. I sent out Christmas cards the day before Thanksgiving. I already got a card in response. Cool, now I can send somebody else what they sent me! OK, maybe something else.

Machu Picchu

When I was checking my email, my niece came over and sat down by me. “What shall we look up?” she asked.

“What ever you want.” I told her.

I kept telling her certain things were broken as she listed off what she wanted to see and I did not. Then she said Machu Picchu. I was impressed. We watched a Dora clip online a few weeks ago about the place.

I knew there was something cool about Dora that I liked. I wish all the stuff she watched was that educational.

My Mother’s Prophet

The Church is getting closer to my day. I mean I noticed the new Teachings book was on their web site. I can only assume he is next on the list of prophets.

David O. McKay was the prophet when my mom was growing up. He lived a long time so I wonder if the Church will break up the Sunday school lessons over a two year period like they did with Brigham Young.

I wonder if it is a work in progress. I mean with my last comment I checked the number if chapters. 24 chapters doesn’t seem like two years of curriculum. Oh well, should be good. I enjoy reading these manuals.

Thanksgiving Day

Finally, peace and quite time? It was a rather good day. It started off with Corryn coming to see if I was awake and wishing me a Happy Thanksgiving.

For a brief moment it looked like it was going to be great weather wise. We even went on a brief walk.

Without the details of the plan for the day, I was unable to determine when exactly dinner was. I got very hungry and it seemed like it would never come. I was pretty tired and when the day finally ended, I wondered when I’d get to sleep.

Always Learning (Of course)

I left work Friday with the thought I’m not spending the time learning what could further my career. Because I don’t know everything, I often feel that I know very little. I should be thankful I can do with what I have.

I spent time this afternoon trying to catch up on computer stuff. Without a goal like certification, it becomes vague which path would be the most profitable.

While watching CSI: NYC – which is something I do not usually do – I was side tracked on a statement a potential witness made. He clearly stated he would neither comment nor submit to a blood test. It sparked something I learned from a legal course I had taken. I spent the next half hour, dodgeing screeming kids, using the free online legal databases to find my answer.

Submission to a Blood Test

I remembered something about a police officer requesting a blood test, or forcibly taking a blood test, was not in violation of a persons right not to testify against himself. I wish I had a photographic memory.

Anyway, I found a commentary on that the “police generally will not compel you to submit to a blood test, the Supreme Court decision [in 1983] permits a blood test taken by force so long as the officer has probable cause to believe that you are under the influence.”

This was basically what I was looking for; minus the case name and the “under the influence” bit.

Upon further research, I believe I found the case. I wondered how many cases referred to this case, in what way the were referred, and if it was repealed… I guess that is called shepardizeing.

From what little academic legal research I have done, I’ve found you can pretty much “bend” certain cases to fit another. I wondered if there was ever a cop who had probably cause to believe someone was withholding evidence and compelled them to have a blood test taken. (With or without a search warrant.)

There was like 30 or more links of Supreme Court cases that referred to this case. If I had the time and it was my job, I’d want to look over those cases too.

Microsoft’s Home Media Center

I get bugged about why I don’t buy a recordable TV (DVR) unit. I’m hooked on Netflix and I feel I spend too much time watching the tube. Recording all the shows I’d or think I’d want to watch, means I would have to take to do so.

If I really got into the dole society thing, I’d get a media network like this one powered by good old, Microsoft.

The Scientific Method

Cool, I love Google image search.

Here is the model I was taught when I was in grade school. If a phenomenon can not satisfy all these steps, then it is just as valid to assume that a certain theory is incorrect as it is to say that it is correct.

My favorite Troll

He is a plastic, two feet tall troll. I like him but my siblings kids didn't like him very much.

Well, Taylor was not afraid of it at all. When Oakley saw that, he wasn't afraid either.

Here are some pictures of him out by his house.

Cool, Kewl, Chool?

I thought it was fun that my nephew, Oakley, tired to call me by name already. I've only been around him so few times...

It took a while for my niece to get my name right. She at first referred to me in a third person sort of way. She would point to me and ask “is he going?” Then it was “My cool.”

My other nephew talks fairly well. It is amazing he ever started to talk. I thought he’d never would say anything.

Anyway, at the store I heard Oakley screaming something. He even stood up in the car cart thing and shouted. I figured his mom would take care of it or something. Then it was brought to my attention that he might be calling my name.

I paused to listen.

“Cool, cool, cool…”

I turned to look at him. He giggled and sat back in the car cart thing.

Draper Utah Temple

I think I broke the 4th commandment by ordering the Ensign and the Church News on a Sunday. Well, the Church web site let me do it. I guess that is no excuse, besides I probably broke it with worse things.

I heard today about the latest LDS temple in Utah. I’ll have to go see it one day, when it gets built of course. See http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,595107214,00.html

I have been in/to the following temples:

• Provo, UT
• Salt Lake, UT
• Mt. Timpanogos UT
• Manti, UT
• St. George, UT
• Bountiful, UT (prior to dedication?)
• Jordan River, UT (stood outside as a kid...?)
• Chicago, IL
• Washington DC
• San Diego, CA - my favorite!!!
• Los Angeles, CA
• Baton Rouge, LA (parking lot)
• Las Vegas NV (parking lot)

With the many times I’ve been to Florida, you would think I could have gone to the Orlando temple. One day I’d like to do that. I love to go to places I’ve never been. Boston, NYC, etc. are not far away either.

Night in review

It was an incredible evening. The movie, the woman I was with, the dinner? Well, dinner was alright. Everything else was, or still is, incredible.

I actually made dinner which wasn’t my first choice but it sounded like a good idea at the time. It was a a nice, quite time for a conversation. The movie was kind of spur of the moment, but I’m glad we decided to go.

I forgot my wallet and my keys. I felt bad my date had to bail me out and get the tickets. I honestly was more worried about getting back in my apartment. I made it obviously; I just can’t belive I forgot.

Lord Vader

This coming May 19th I will celebrate something important for a change. Just joking; I want to go see the Revenge of the Sith. The final and hopefiully the best instalment of the latest Star Wars movies.

The trailer really played to what I want to see in the first ten minutes of the show. I want to see Darth Vader and lots of Jedi butt kicking. I have barely tolerated gay characters, silly story lines – frolicking in the field, weak acting which I attribute to poor and feelingless direction.

I do not believe this movie can repair the devastation of the first two. The music score is awesome. I have never complained about that. The action sequences have been good too for the most part.

I’m glad there is something to look forward to next year. I have to get through 2005 so I can go on the Disney cruise in 2006!

The Incredibles

Yes, the movie is awesome. I thought it was going to be lame because of the trailers. They make it look like it is about a few adult super heroes… but the truth is that it is about the Incredible family!

It was hilarious to watch the Incredible kids relize the potential of their power. It had a great story about families, or rather a family, working together. Where one family member was weak, the other was strong. By working together, they were incredible.

I thought this movie was the last Disney/Pixar movie, but I saw a trailer for a car show. I have always thought personification of a vehicle is a funny thing. We shall see how funny it is. I often wonder if the personality of a car does match that of the driver behind the wheel.

The opening short to the Incredibles was very silly. I think some of those guys at Pixar have way too much time on their hands.

Electronic Settlement

I just got an email about Tithing Settlement.

It is going to start soon and the message was a reminder to schedule a time to meet with the Bishop. I responded to the email with: “Sign me up… Can we just setle everything online? Yes, it is a full tithe! Thanks. See you next year”.

I hope it works!

My Dad the Handy Man

My Dad took over the garage a few years back and turned it in to a workshop.

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He has refurbished many rooms in the estate. Ok, it was built by the local high school I belive and there are several tiny issues with the place. My Dad takes pleasure in improving the place and he does a great job. He never really finishes all his projects though because he feels once he finishes, he will die.

If that ever happens we’ll have speed his ashes all over Disney World. He wanted Disneyland, but I figure there is more space to cover in Florida.

Working for food?

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This is my favorite loiterer on South Temple Street in Salt Lake. I go in his store all the time to pick up some marzipan candy bars for my Mom.

I gave some drunken moocher 30 cents the other day. He started going off on some wacky thing. I thought it was funny. Probably should not have given him anything… it just encourages him to beg for more.

There is this Koren at the Dutch Touch store whom I dislike very much. Every time she rings up my order she always gives a bad feeling like she screwed something up and over charged me… Most of the time she gets everything right. This morning she didn’t give me my change for my morning OJ.

My SweetHot

I hate dating. I should stick to the same approach. Maybe it would work on someone?

Anyway, I bought this sweet but hot pepper jelly in Sabine Parish somewhere. I sent it to the mission president’s wife with a note attached: “You are my SweetHot”.

I should have bought two bottles so I could have tasted it.

Dad's red barn

When my Dad was working on a project outside, we got a notice from the city that we had to tear it down because we did not obtain a permit. The way the notice was worded made it sound as if a neighbor complained to the city...

After tearing the project down, my Dad looked into replacing an old shed. I took pictures of the old shed and the project before and after it was torn down not thinking it would come in handy.

We looked into what was needed to replace the old shed. No permits were needed for replacing an existing structure as long as it was not higher than 18 feet. We took down names of the city officials and what not.

My Dad wanted an 18 foot bright red barn. He was hoping to irritate the potential whistleblower. Well, on completion we got yet another notice stating something like "We have been notified that a project in violation of a previous notice has been completed."

My Mom tried to talk to the city about the fact it was separate projects. Emotional arguments don't always work, the lady was ignoring us. She didn't want to disturb the guy we had talked to months earlier until I pulled out my pictures.

Once she saw those, she ran and got the guy and it was all settled. I hope whoever "notified" the city wakes up every morning to this red beacon in disgust! I further hope the got told off by the city too.

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Skipping Christmas

I have listened to a good portion of the book. I can totally se Tim Allen as the main character. I wonder if the book and/or movie was influenced by Home Improvement the TV show.

Orem lights

When I was out in Orem last, I noticed the city had installed lights around my parents neighborhood. Cool. Here is a bad picture, but it shows the lamp post and what not.

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Dream Vacation

I did some research on my dream vacation. If this map is correct, I didn’t know Hawaii was further south the California. Well, that would cut out the Guadalupe Island stop. Oh well, it’ll be on my 3rd dream vacation. The second involves St. Thomas and it looks like I’ll be going there on the Disney cruise next year!

Anyway, because I liked Kindergarten Cop so much, the trip starts in Astoria, OR. I’ll have to make a separate land trip to visit Mt. Saint Helen as well as Portland, Seattle, Redmond (Microsoft campus)….

Vancouver is next then north to Juneau, AK and Glacier National Park. West to Anchorage then south to Hawaii. Of course I’d want to see more than Sydney, but by the time I’d got there, I’d probably want to come home.

Peterson trial

Yeah, it's over. And anyone doubted he didn't do it? What lame trial will be next?

I remember the Oliver North trials. I didn’t know what was going on but I was upset it took up so much air time on TV. We didn’t have cable when I was a kid.

OJ Simpson trial was a joke too.

I thought the Sept. 11 commission was eccentric, but I suppose it was good.

The Presidential Election of 2000 was the worst. Well, maybe not. I follow this stuff about as much as E!

New Search Engine?

Yeah, wahoo!!? Who cares?

In 1995 I remember hearing a news cast about Microsoft’s Internet Explorer. It went something like: “Microsoft entered the browser war late and with money to burn.” Netscape’s budget was about 2 million for the year and Microsoft’s, around 2 billion.

I admit I use IE almost exclusively. OK, I only used Netcraper when I worked at the dot-bomb scam.

Anyway, I was up on Yahoo! about that time. It was an art to find what I really was looking for. I suppose it still is regardless of the engine.

I was vaguely aware of other search engines but rarely used them. I got attached to Google, but I still go to Yahoo! for certain things. Will MSN search be any different?

I never really understood the business model of a search company. I suppose the evil MBA’s are keeping that a secret from me? Oh well, just add it to my list of things I “shoulda, woulda, coulda, if only…” list.

Gel rests

I got 4 of these little guys and so far they have helped I think. As I typed up this I noticed the Fellowes keyboard gel wrist rest. It would have saved some search time had I just grabbed this name before.

Steelers at the Super Bowl?

I kind of hope not. Well for personal reasons, I have cursed Pittsburgh. I was quite perturbed how glad the DCL crowd was to get rid of me. Frankly, I was glad to get rid of them somewhat too I suppose.

There was one lady I met there. I took every opportunity to talk to her. She seemed to do the same for me. Funny I even fantasized taking some trips out there… to see the Steelers would have been awesome too.

I’m without a team right now. No surprises there? I’m hoping to see the Colts go to the Super Bowl, but just cause I like Mr. Manning.

Another lovely visit

During another enjoyable Home Teaching visit, I was reminded of a funny story. I can not claim it is true. Anyway, here it is.

In the School of the Prophets, Joseph Smith went around the room to ask which book was the most important book. I could imagine there was a rather great discussion over the matter.

When the question got to Brigham Young, he took the Bible in one hand, the Book of Mormon in the other. After putting both books in one hand, he tossed them out the wiondow. “I have a living prophet” he said.

“That’s great,” Joseph responded. “Now go get your scriptures.”

Cougar bashing

After downloading the latest Windows Media Player, I watched some archived MSDN TV episodes and came across an ADO.Net 2.0 one. It discussed this DbProviderFactory class which sounded a lot like this “polymorphic interface” thing this BYU graduate claimed to be writing at his place of employment.

I tired to ask him if this was not the same class. By not responding, I am assuming that it is.

When he asked if I knew what a "polymorphic interface" was I said that I did not. I assumed he was talking about something really neat. If I would have thought about it at the time, I would have concluded it was marketing crap.

An interface is polymorphic by design. In COM, every interface derives from IUknown. Any derived interface from another will inherit the declarations of the base interface.

Yeah, I know. I should just let it go. I just hate people that look down on me. Especially some [dang] Cougar.

Sorry, I need to quit

I really need to stop swearing.

COB lights

I understand the Church decorates the landscape here at the Washington DC temple. Although, I have never seen the lights here I suppose they are very nice.

Maybe it is the Scrooge in me, but I don't fancy all the glamour and fan fair of Christmas.

Exquisite Joy

A while back, I went to a fireside where Elder Richard G. Scott spoke. I was leery to go because I knew he was going to call us to repentance. He was called the Repentance King in my mission.

I was very comfortable with the whole seating arrangement I had although it was on the stage behind the podium. Usually in a Mormon mob such as this, being packed like sardines is often equated to how great the experience was. I never bought that crappy idea. If I am not comfortable, I honestly don't give a damn who or what is spoken.

Anyway, Elder Scott was a lot friendlier than I was expecting. Yes, he did tell us to repent. The odd thing was that I felt very good for hours after the meeting. I wondered how long it would last. I tired to recall how angry I was that my ride came so much later than expected! I just could not recall my bitterness. It was like it never happened.

Be careful with the baby!

Why do I replay events in my head and cringe when I think what catastrophe could have happened? I must not be in my right mind. What I mean is after successfully walking by, I look back and imagine myself tripping over my own feet and landing on the baby or imagining that I am falling down the stairs because I was not holding onto the rail.

Twice one weekend I had moved Melia without taking extreme precautions I normally would. I surprised myself both times I happened to be holding her just right that nothing bad happened.

Guardian Angels? It wouldn't surprise me much if they were protecting others from me. In my nieces' case, I am glad they do.

This day and age

When I started this blog site, I was concerned whether or not I should use other peoples' real names.

I figured if what I said was true or just my opinion it wasn't libel.

Yeah, I worry about identify fraud and the like a bit myself. Now though, I'm almost to a point where I wonder if I have to speak in parables. Just so nobody gets hurt ...

I should preface this "work" with something I put in a written journal once. It went something like: if you are shocked or offended, it is your own [darn] fault for reading!

Always Learning

When I got home from Louisiana in 1997, I vigorously studied Visual C++ (MFC, Win32 API, COM and what not.) Can't say I understood most of what I was trying. Nor can I say that zeal was comparable to when I first leaned of the C and it's successor language, C++.

I always desired a real job doing Visual C++ stuff. During my exploration, I had the question of what world replace all this knowledge and how long would it take to learn, in the back of my mind. I envisioned this every growing learning curve. There were "millions" of people ahead of me and "millions" more behind me.

Anyway, when the beta version of .Net came out, I of course started playing with it. I wanted to be in on the ground floor. My dream job had shifted to C#, but my failure to obtain a Visual C++ job plagued me.

When I was told to get a .Net compiler and play with it, I indeed was very offended. I was judged as I often am in a 10 minute or less interview.

Mission Seal

Before I got to Baton Rouge in 1995, the mission seal was changed from this cool one to a more serious one with angel Moroni or whoever. It was part of Brough, my first mission president, and his "reformation" of the entire mission.

I heard rumors that previous presidents were too lax and several missionaries went off the deep end, so to speak. Bough was very strict and turned the focus of the mission back to whet it was supposed to be.

If it took a tough mission president to enforce the principle of obedience, what does that say about the “off the plan” missionaries, as they were called? I know, they are just kids. Funny I say that now. I was a good kid. When I look “down” on the missionaries now, they are just kids to me.

JAG

I watched the show for the first time in a very long time. I recall watching bits of episodes from my VA apartment. I got tired of the show because it had become somewhat of a soap opera.

I have checked Netflix several times for JAG episode releases. Unfortunately, I haven't seen any. I miss the action... I think it is better then West Wing because by the end of an episode, you feel like something was resolved.

I never cease to be amazed at my lack of attention to derail, or of Dad's keenness to understand almost everything. He seems to be up with everything he watches. Even when he quickly flips though all the channels and says there is not enough channels.

Operation: Data Recovery

One reason I went to Utah was to bring back some old CDs I burned. When I told my brother, David, my interest in old pictures, he offered a library of his family pictures... and movies. It took two CD's full!

At least one of the three random CDs I grabbed from my 20+ collection has pictures. I haven't checked the others yet. I noticed the one had some mission pictures 1 scanned at one time.

Too bad there are so many old black and white pictures from my grandparents. It's tedious work to scan them in, but I would like to get all those scanned someday. I did a few years ago... I should pay someone to do it.

So much for voting?

I thought it was crap that it took so long to tally the votes in so many states. Virginia, among others, closed in a reasonable and timely fashion.

Absentee ballots should have been due 12:00am ET Nov. 3, with no exceptions. All states should have closed by that time too.

I checked on the stats throughout the night. At 5am the score was like 254 to 252. It's going to be another fiasco. Will the Chief Justice live to remedy the problem? Will next election see the turnout of voters as this year?

Not a bad day at all.

I went to the polls this morning thinking it was the best time to go. I wanted to take my time to work too. When I was at work, it wasn’t bad at all. It actually went pretty well, I aught to hold out for the new year…

Anyway, the line at the library was really short as I came back on the bus. Looks like a lot of people turned out over the country. Good, now these voters can complain when things go bad… pessimistic I know, but I see the glass as half empty.

My reasons for voting how I did was sorted at best, but I feel it is near impossible to make a perfect assessment of the issues, or a persons’ outcome of ones approach to “solve” them.

Moran the Moron

I hate solicitors. Well, I hate when they come to my apartment door. There is a sign as you enter the complex that soliciting is not allowed. Too bad that doesn’t apply to junk mail.

Jim Moran is running for Congressman for 8th district here in Virginia. I tore off the spam message on the door. Read over it quickly so I knew who not to vote for… Democrat, huh? And there was a Kerry insert. Well, there is another against him.

Lisa Marie Cheney I thought was weird when she shock my hand at the King Street Metro. She said it was good to meet me. I doubt I’ll ever see her again, but at least she didn’t put spam on my door!

Understanding the Issues

Was the Patriot Act in Bush’s 2000 campaign? All those voters wanted this Act to pass I’m sure. Not to mention the Afghanistan and Iraq conflict.

One could study the “political” issues put on a campaign platform forever and still not get a good idea of how the candidate will really respond. This said, from what little I know, I would agree Kerry would make an interesting President as far as entertainment is concerned.

So would Bush be any better this time around? Probably not.

I tire of hearing people complain about laws or Administrative orders when they take no part on how the government is run. The best argument I have heard on why not to vote is that they don’t understand all the issues.

By voting, however supercilious as it may be, I can complain that “I voted for the other guy”. By not voting, these complaints should be subdued. If you don’t want to vote, get out of my country and find a monarch to rule over you!

Shipwrecked Doctrine

I heard a story of one of my relatives; my grandpa's grandmother I believe. This story takes place in a small town in Norway; presumably in Stavanger. I understand it is in the history books too.

Anyway, the first LDS missionaries to the village were apparently shipwrecked. Crates of pamphlets and materials washed ashore.

This young woman found one of the crates, dried out the pamphlets, read them, and then distributed them out to her neighbors and friends. When the next set of missionaries came through, most of the village was already prepared for their message.

Grandma’s Angels

I was glad that my brother commutes such a great distance to work while his gigantic boat-house is being built. It is not a house boat, but a house for the boat. They just happened to have to added rooms so they could stay there too.

I was glad, because I got to spend time woth my nephews. Well two of the three. Skyler is Jonathan's kid.

Anyway, I bought my parents some cool birthday sweatshirts, I failed to get a picture of Dad’s but here is Mom’s.

I need a vacation from my vacation… I have little desire to go back to work. Unfortunately, I have to go. My good shoes are still there.