Its the Thursday Three!

Terry has the Thursday Three posted for this week already. I'm even going to try to play today even though I've already mentioned several of the presents that I either received or gave this Christmas past. So, here's my answers-

1. Best gift I received or gave this year? Hmm. I've had 2 emails proclaiming that the slot car set that I bought for my nephew in Michigan has been a big success, so maybe that one was best. But the hummingbird decorated, white painted necklace rack that I made for the BSU was a big hit too. (Now that I have a digital camera, I could take a picture of that little present).

I actually hope that the 2 copies of Silent America for my sons will turn out to be the best presents that I gave this year.

2. The worst gift I received or gave? There really weren't any stinkers this year. I did receive a Hot Wheels car from son Noah that I picked out and paid for for myself which he snatched out of the shopping bag the week before Christmas and told me to be surprised...

3. The gift I'm going back to get for myself? I've already made mention of the welder I received and I do think I will be upgrading to the more advanced model. The Harbor Freight in SLC stocks the model I want but they are currently out of stock with more expected next week. That's it really, no other requirements to exchange or return any unwanted or wrong sized gifts. Not even any new pants that require hemming to fit my short legs.

I didn't get any parts for the buildup of my next computer but then, I didn't begin to expect any either. But I am planning to build a new computer this year to replace our groaning, underpowered, under memoried 5 year old P2 400mhz machine.

Now I've got paying work to attend to for the day!

SILENT AMERICA Arrives!

Yesterday I found the package of 2 copies of Silent America safely tucked on the corner of my front step. Thanks UPS man!

I bought a copy for each of my sons. Bill's essays, I believe accurately and eloquently describe the characteristics that make America and Americans unique in the world and I tried to say as much to my boys in the note I left them inside each cover. I hope they will read this book and understand.

If you haven't read the essays, they are all still available online at Eject! Eject! Eject!, so check them out.

And now I need a copy for myself to keep and to share...

If you want to see the Nativity scene

here is my house. Drive by anytime. If you're friendly stop in, we'll make some hot cocoa.

UPDATE: Playing with this map today a little bit, I discovered that the first post was only displaying at the 200M line bar and by clicking the "IN" button I was able to zoom in even closer until after a couple clicks I was at the 25M line bar point. That's what is howing now. The red circle is actually on my next door neighbors house, mine is just on the left side of the shared driveway. That's our Fiberfab Avenger kitcar behind the carport, (the red car) and the camper is out in front of the carport. Obviously the picture was taken while I was at work and the boy was out 'cause there's no other cars in the drive. You can see the mailbox at the curb, the miniature cherry tree in the front yard and the curved sidewalk to the front door. My shop roof is visible, directly behind the red car, its the smallest of the three roofs that almost seem joined together at the back of the yard.

What's the picture of your house look like?

Hey, thanks Bruce!

Notice that my page has been restored to its proper appearance after my previous post about the Nativity picture dorking things up. The kind Bruce, from mASS BACKWARDS took the time to resize my picture and send me a link to where he has it stored, thus restoring the correct appearance to WE. His assistance came in through the comments to the previous post.

So thanks! And I'll maybe get some time to tinker with margins later this week.

My page is messed up.

Or at least it appears that way, using IE from the job and using the settings that seem to work for everything else. Its due to the Nativity scene picture and will be back to normal after it moves into the archives. If you're looking for everything in my right side box and it seems to be missing- its waay down there below all the posts.

Sorry 'bout that. I'm too lazy to resize the picture to make it fit so you'll just have to adjust for a few days.

One of these days- one of these days, I intend to try to figure out how to resize the picture files that make all the nice, rounded corners on the boxes on my template. I've got to figure out that trick first and then I can make the post box wider and shrink the margins on each side to give me more writing room.

But it ain't happening today...

I got noticed at Eject! Eject! Eject!

That's Bill Whittle's illustrious blog of course, deep in the comments, in the re-telling of the cross country adventure by Bill's friend and cohort, Steve, aka Great Hairy Silverback. I extended an invitation (in an earlier comment) to lunch and a visit to John Moses Browning's design shop if their trip should get them into my area. Steve tells the tale of the trip from Florida to Los Angeles, a fete by the DuToits and a mention to me that he stopped over in Salt Lake City, all in one comment.

I feel mighty privileged to get recognized in such fine and distinguished company.

Now if the two copies of Bill's book I purchased would just arrive at my doorstep...

More Grandbaby pictures!

Here's one from the hospital's web site. Say hi to Astin.

The oddest circumstance happened

on Christmas morning at my house. We were opening presents in the family room, lovely spouse, Noah, girlfriend Lili and myself. The CD changer had 6 discs of holiday music playing and Noah had set it to just pick songs at random from any of the discs. I was unwrapping this little package, Peanuts A Charlie Brown Christmas, and as I was unwrapping it, this song began to play.

It was so perfect that I thought the boy had preplanned it somehow but it was entirely coincidence.

Isn't that cool?

I love the book!

What Santa Claus brought me this year!

I think I must have been a very good boy based upon the presents under the tree for me this Christmas morning. I got a digital camera from Kodak, its a model CX7430 with 4.0 mega pixels and a 3X optical zoom feature. It takes REALLY big pictures in the default mode, but not very many fit on the internal memory... But the quality seems just fine and the controls are starting to be understandable.

I also received a welder! Hurrah! It looks like this Harbor Freight Easy MIG unit. While its probably completely capable of most of the work I might want to do, I might just upgrade to this welder for a little additional flexibility and power. And we know power tools are all about power now, don't we?

I received a double cd set of Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band live in Auburn Washington, the first cd is spinning my computer's drive right now! Later tonight I hope to be watching my Blues Brothers 2000 video that kind Lili bought for me.

We also had a surprise visit by grandson Astin and his proud folks. They has said they might not be coming out with the baby for fears of him catching ill. But Sarah's mom had to catch a plane home and so, while they were out anyway, they came on up to Ogden and surprised us. It was really quite wonderful.

So Christmas day passed quietly at our house with everyone playing with their new gifts and napping in between snacking. A fine time was had by all.

Merry Christmas to Each of You

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David),to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

A Cajun 12 Days of Christmas

From Mostly Cajun of course, a slightly different take on a traditional favorite.

Day 3. Dear Emile, Why doan you sen me some crawfish? I’m tired of eating dem darned bird. I gave two of those prissy French chicken to Mrs. Fontenot over at Grand Chenier, and fed the tird one to my dog, Phideaux. Mrs. Fontenot needed some sparring partners for her fighting rooster.

Its fun, so check it out.

Merry Christmas Tanker!

It gets hot out on those ramps...

Which might explain strange behavior like this crew chief marshalling his jet out from under the canopy.

Having spent a few minutes of my life out there on the ramp I can assure you that long hours, sunshine and boredom can create foolishness that you might not see anywhere else.

A long time ago, when I was a scheduler in a tanker unit at Barksdale AFB in Louisiana, I was upstairs, waiting to get into the commanders office for a signature on some routine business. Outside, in the hallway were 4 guys, two of whom were mid-grade NCOs that I knew were the expediters that drove the trucks on the flight line every day. These four guys were obviously waiting to see the commander for something much less routine than my business, in fact, the looked like kids sent to the princpal's office for misbehaving in class.

Turns out, that's what it was- misbehavior. Simple, seemingly fun stuff, or do it seemed, water ballons on the flight line for a little levity. Seems that one truck was approaching the other on the access road and somebody decided it would be fun to toss a water balloon out, onto the windshield of the second truck- just to see the splash on the unsuspecting driver's windshield.

You know what happened. The balloon did not burst harmlessly, instead it struck the glass like a pineapple and shattered the windshield into the lap of the driver and passenger! Yeah. It spread glass on the road, in the truck, required a major cleanup and took an important truck out of commision for a day or two. And I'm mighty certain it earned some serious butt-chewing for the party's involved.

Another day I'll tell you about flightline naps...

Fan Wing Airplanes, ever heard of these?

I haven't until I discovered the link at Synthstuff, fanwing aircraft. This is the coolest but somehow, most disturbing aircraft development I think I've ever seen. The links go to Fanwing.com where you can see video clips of this creation in flight.

Its weird. Very weird. Cool but weird.

My Christmas Wish

I want some of these balloons! I'll tie them to the back of my scooter for my commute to work!

And thanks for the link from Synthstuff who has recently added me to their bloglist. I gotta check this out a little more frequently!

May I Introduce to You- For the Very First Time

My grandson, Astin Michael.


And the proud new Dad, Kye

All the pictures taken with the technological wonder of cell phones with cameras built in!

Ever wonder how Christmas is celebrated in the White House?

Then you've got to go here and see. If you've got a broadband connection, click the link "Where in the World is Miss Beasly" over on the right. Its the only chance you will get to see Carl Rove being attacked with tree ornaments! Thanks to Red Sugar Muse for finding it first.

For Onto Us a Child is Given...

That phone call was from the eldest son, Kye. He and lovely wife Sara were at the hospital and the baby was due momentarily. Could we come down to the hospital right away?

Silly question.

I did grab a quick shower and Noah canceled our dinner plans over at the girlfriend's and we headed out with nothing but a quick stop at Mc'D's and to grab a one-time use camera. By the time we arrived, Baby McCord was already 35 minutes born.

He's very beautiful. A thick head of dark hair scrunched down by the obligatory stocking cap. A dimple is on the end of his nose. Mom looked radiant. Tired, exhausted maybe but radiant none the less. She had gone into labor this morning about 1AM but had elected to stay at home until they were both really sure that it was time. When her water broke, they decided it was time! So there were no complications and mom and baby were doing just fine.

Lucky for me I had just stopped earlier today at the smoke shop where I buy my usual cigars. I even took a quick look at the celebratory, "Its A Boy" cigars but did not see a brand that I thought anyone would actually enjoy smoking. But at least I had my regular smokes in my pocket and when the nurses came in for a bit of a check on mom's circumstances, Noah, Kye & I went outside for a smoke.

So we stood in the dark and the cold for a bit doing the thing that men have done since the invention of fire. I gave him a big hug and he told me how surreal the whole circumstance had been for him so far. We talked about Noah's birth which Kye had been a part of since Noah was born at home with a midwife's presence. One of the most treasured photographs in our family is of Kye, 4 years old and curly headed, wearing his pjs, holding his minutes-old baby brother. We talked about lots of stuff and nothing at all but we shared the moments while fatherhood began to sink into his reality.

Later we headed back upstairs for a few more minutes with mom and baby and we took a couple pictures that later I'll get posted. In leaving, I reminded Sara that the real adventure starts now, with a lifetime of parenting and all the challenges it brings.

I'm certain that the two of them, now 3, will be ready for the challenges.

On the way home I said a silent prayer of thanks and asked for a blessing for this new family. I'm reminded that I might extend this same prayer for them, with them, tomorrow or the next day.

But no name for Baby McCord tonight. Mom is still trying out Aston or Gabriel. I suggested that a fine middle name might be Wright, since his birthday is the same as the first day of the Wright brother's success at Kitty Hawk.

Anyway, its official. I'm a grandpa. And it feels mighty good.

Mission Accomplished-

Regarding today's itinerary and this morning's post. Not only did it require 3 trips to Lowes but my local store didn't have the gas valve I needed when I got there, which meant I had to turn around and go away from the house by 15 miles to the next Lowes that did have both the parts. And, due to a complete lack of understanding by the friendly staff behind the counter, I got both parts for free, thank you very much!

I did get the spouse to the airport on time. The place was packed! I have never seen the Salt Lake airport bustling and swarming as it was today. A veritable crush of humanity that, miraculously was moving through all the steps required to get on an airplane these days in very swift order. Check in was no trouble and the line progressed so rapidly towards the security check-in that I nearly lost my beloved to the X-ray machine while I stepped over to the ATM. She was a little bit rattled by the crush of folks and moreso when she arrived at Portland's big airport but she did make it ok and the sister was there to pick her up just as planned.

I took my test on my way home from the airport and before I went chasing water heater parts so that was successful. And I stopped off to pay an grievious bill that causes me much stress only to be told that they had pillaged my accounts enough already this month and no further payment was expected. WhooHoo! That's a $300 bonus right before Christmas!

And the hot water fired right up first time after I replaced the new parts and thread taped everything and refilled the tank with fresh water. Hooray! Fear me- I'm a man with tools and I'm not afraid to use them!

I had just sat down with my first celebratory beer after putting away my tools and was waiting for enough hot water for my first shower since Wednesday when the phone rang...

Now entering the 2nd day without hot water...

And I'm shortly to head to Lowes for the 3rd time trying to get the hot water heater working. I've already bought the cheap thermocouple which was the wrong one, exchanged it for the proper thermocouple, installed it without successfully generating hot water, made 2 phone calls to the Whirlpool tech hot line and now I have an authorization number that will provide me at no charge, another thermocouple.

In between, I've got to finish studying for my accounting final which I must beg permission to reschedule for later today because I must be shuttling the BSU to the airport at that exact same time.

I'm not at all convinced that another thermocouple is the answer but the nice woman at the other end of the tech line assures me the thermostat/gas valves never fail...

Stressed? No, not me!

I'd buy this car if I could.

It's Wayne & Garth's flamed Pacer! It would be better, if you ask me, if were the wagon version, but hey, its famous!

Pretty neat Mustang for sale too.

RE: Testing- Is this thing on?

Trying it again...
-----Original Message-----
From: McCord Nathaniel R Contr OO-ALC/YPVO
Sent: Thursday, December 16, 2004 8:39 AM
To: 'natemccord.XXXXXX@blogger.com'
Subject: Testing- Is this thing on?

This should be fun! I'm trying one of those new-fangled posts directly from
my email. If it works it might signal additional opportunity to post from
the cubicle since nobody can really tell I'm writing for you instead of for
the folks paying me.

So-

Let's see if this works!

Email posting is NOT working...

Can anyone advise?

Especially for Ruby

And Sugarmama, who Terry is meeting for lunch today, the lucky bum. Its a cute
Christmas cartoon so check it out when you get a chance.

The Thursday Three!

And I'm playing this week. I shouldn't be, instead I should be slaving away as a good little (barely) civil servant, but what the heck, its for the holidays.

#1. When does the tree go up in our household? Not until December is well under way, sometime between the first weekend and the second weekend. Shopping for the tree, a real tree, remains a familial tradition that requires all members to be present- no letting the kids sneak off on some less important venture. We try to reserve the trip to the tree seller's corner for a night with a good snow fall taking place, the more snow the better. Something about going out in the dark and picking a tree while the snow falls all around really gets me in the mood to loosen the strings on my wallet, so we pick a tree, I pay and then we head home for hot cocoa. This year's trip did not include snow sadly but did incorporate dinner at Western Sizzler before the big event.

And I got off pretty easy on the wallet this year too. The spouse always says she wants a big tree, knowing that our basement family room is small and low-ceilinged. She even said it this year but then chose a beautiful, small tree as the one she wanted.

#2. Shopping is usually a last minute event at our house, just because a) I'm cheap and b) I try really hard not to get sucked into the buying-is-the-reason-for-the-season too soon. The spouse plans ahead a little bit as she often is sewing gifts for her sisters and that takes time. Like tree shopping, I really prefer a good snowstorm to get me in the mood for spending money on presents. Something about those big fat flakes falling below the streetlights really gets me in the spirit of buying. With the advent of online shopping that significance seems to pale somewhat but if the vendors really want me to get crazy with my money, they better arrange for a good snowfall outside the mall. Gift cards to a restaurant only occasionally for the boy & his girlfriend as stocking stuffers.

#3. We mostly stay close to home. After a Christmas Eve church service we generally stay at home for Christmas Day. After so many years of being in the service and far away from family we've gotten used to a quiet day by ourselves. Its too far to get to Michigan or Florida or Ohio so we just don't try. Its kind of nice that now that the oldest son and his wife (and impending grandson) lives less than an hour away, they usually come to visit for the afternoon. But its generally a laid back day with the cd changer stacked full of tunes, snack foods laid out for browsing and a chance to relax, explore new toys or start on a new book.

Thanks to Bronners Christmas Store

I can't quit tonight without thanking Bronners, the World's Largest Christmas Store ® for not only having the set of wisemen I needed to replace my set in stock but also for shipping them to me in time for the wind storm to collapse the stable on their heads.

Bronners is a midwestern-northern part of America icon that everybody that loves Christmas must visit and experience at least once. We were fortunate to spend a couple hours there the summer before last on our return from my Grandmother's birthday celebration in Alpena. Bronners is part of the village of Frankenmuth, (find your own link tonight), a cutesy, Bavarian influenced town that exists to provide rooms and food for the folks visiting the Christmas store.

The store is amazing and wonderful and jaw-droppingly stuffed with every Christmas ornament, tree, nativity scene, (in many sizes including full size) and trinket you can't even imagine. Consider maybe two Home Depot stores in size? Its big! And its worth a visit if you're ever in the same time zone so check it out.

Or, just click the link down there in my blog ads! They are showing up right now and its worth it. Really!

Regarding that last post about school-

the BSU assures me that we WILL be taking a cruise within weeks of my graduation! Even if she has to drag me by my mostly bald scalp!

I made a schedule the other day

that shows I can complete my Bachelor's degree in Logistics Management in October 2006 if I take 2 classes per term and don't skip any terms. If I weren't quite so liquored up, I'd find a way to post it on the web, (its an Excel spreadsheet, isn't everything I make a spreadsheet?) for everyone to see. But its not happening tonight. Or this week. Maybe between shopping and skiing during the weekend...

Anyway, I'm kinda proud of it and I happened to make it at a splendid point in time since many of the remaining classes I need are only offered every other year. I've now mapped everything out so I won't miss anything critical and I have a very firm view of my life over the next 2 years.

I also saw a brochure for a MS degree in Aeronautics Logistics/Program Management yesterday... hmm...

One test down...

and one to go. Business Law is finished with just a couple questions that I need a little advise on that I will get tomorrow. Accounting final isn't until lunchtime Friday, leaving me tomorrow night to work the study guide and Thursday's class time will be group review instead of lecture.

One of the programs that I was assigned last summer has pulled back to the front of the stove and is now on a hot burner that should keep me moving fast right after the first of the year. It might even be fun. Too tired for details tonight though.

I had a bright idea a few minutes ago. I might just register www.VentoPhantomsare125ccNot150cc.com and build me a website with all the links and pictures that prove that Vento Motorcycles is a lying corporation over the holiday. Or maybe www.Ventolies.com. I'm open to suggestions if you want to leave them in the comments. What's a domain name cost, 15 bucks? Another 100 or so for some server space? I gotta check this out...

I told you I was busy!

and I'm not kidding!

No long term damage to the nativity scene but repairs do need to be made to the stable tonight before all is well.

And there's still the Business Law final exam to finish tonight. And studying for Friday's Accounting final. Some homework to finish as well.

Its also 47 degrees and there's no snow on the ground with none predicted before Christmas... Grrr!

Unique deer hunting method-

Kenny, ya gotta go see this! Deer hunting with a 12 Lb Howitzer! Successful deer hunting! Found the link at Possumblog.

Bad news on the nativity scene…

Strong winds were blowing out of the canyon this morning when I got up and it remains blowing hard from the east and down the slope of the mountain. The wind has blown down my manger and toppled all the characters from my nativity scene. I did not take time when leaving this morning to investigate the damage, I was late for work and cleaning up-fixing up would have taken too long.

But it’s a sad scene in my front yard this morning… I just put out new Wise Men over the weekend as two of them had cracked while in storage this year and had to be replaced at a not insubstantial 100+ dollars on the old debit card. I'm going to be really distracted today not knowing the condition of my characters and unhappy if there's been any damage besides being blown over.

Our manger is made from roofing chipboard and wooden slatting and consists of a 3 piece section of walls and another 3 piece section of sloping roof held together with 2 door hinges and all tied to the ground with some cord and stakes. The whole thing was flipped over with the inside of the roof showing and the characters scattered when I drove away. Which really concerns me because there's an angel attached to the top of the roof! I'm worried about her condition.

Anyway, I forgot my watch, work beckons and for some reason I can't get into the online registration for next term's classes which is supposed to be open this morning. So, yeah, call me Grumpy this morning.

Apologies for the lack of posting.

But real life has been (mostly) pleasantly intruding. School finishes this week, ski season started over the weekend, there was a party to attend, (with pictures!) and upgrades and repairs to my outdoor nativity scene to keep me busy.

I'm ok. Honest. Just busy.

IT CAME UPON A SERVER CLEAR...

Post found at Physic Geek's place

Subject: Temporary Permit

Due to the crush of taxpayers and holiday visitors, you are hereby granted a permit to use your stable, barn, or any agricultural outbuildings for temporary lodging or shelter for up to 30 days from this date.

Address any appeals to:
Herod@Jerusalem.gov
ATTN: Manger Manager

and this:

Date: Wed, 25 Dec

To: shepherds@nightwatch.com
From: heavenlyhost@lord.org

Subject: Praise the Lord ...

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

You might enjoy the whole thing.

On Marines and compassion; a Marine's POV

The two things are not mutually exclusive. Go read the email from Marine LtCol Mark Smith over at Blackfive's place.

I can't find a good way to excerpt this letter or its message so I implore you just to read the whole thing. I happen to agree with LtCol Smith.

Pumpkin Bombing!

These guys seemed to be having almost as much fun as Punkin Chunkers; Zen And The Art Of Pumpkin Bombing.

So, armed with reason and FARs, a dozen mostly civil antique airplanes rendezvoused at a secret airfield in the hills along the Missouri border where federal statutes have always been seen more as obstacles than mandates. Pilot names and aircraft registration numbers have been sanitized in the interest of taking "reasonable precautions." Suffice it to say that the average airplane was 50 years old, and the pilots about the same age. Most were armed with shotguns for the morning's skeet contest in which free-range skeeters were released before a line of near-sighted shooters who mostly tossed a lot of lead shot into nearby trees. After that, a light lunch of chili, Doritos, and crème soda was served, followed by a military-style pre-mission briefing.

Nervous anticipation hung over the assembled crews like an unclaimed bean fart as Commander Sparky (not his real name) sketched the bombing mission. "Gentlemen," he called. "Try not to hit my car again this year." Then with a steely glance at the flight crews, knowing that some would not be coming back because the chili was gone, he said, "I gotta take a leak." Most of us took that as the code for, "Pick yer pumpkins and Godspeed."

And somehow, a B-25 came out to play with these guys!

Concerning that post about women and being friends

Regular readers may infer that there is more to the story than has been told. You would be correct.

Just so you know

The previous post was a test of the supposedly simple method used by Blogger to put my picture over there on the right in my profile. It obviously did not work. Anyway, that's my mug.

Also, if you scroll down to the archives, you will see January 2003 listed there, completely out of order from the other archive dates. That January link is to my very first month of blogging- back when I started out with Blogger and before I moved to Blogstudio and of course, back to Blogger last spring.

The links are gone in the archived page. And I'm trying, as time allows, to locate and repost the remaining months back here to this site. The Blogstudio web master has been assisting a little but mostly it is up to me to track backwards from referrals that located the page. Dodgy to be sure but maybe I can collect much of my old ramblings.

Anyway, I thought you should know.

Me at work. The goatee is gone and the glasses have been replaced with much cooler ones, but that's me. 

On having women as "friends..."

Last week I happened to catch comic Alonzo Bodden on The Tonight Show. Alonzo did a few minutes of standup comedy and he talked about being friends with women that you aren't dating. He said,

"Being friends with a woman is like having nothing in your wallet but your ATM card and there's nineteen dollars in your bank account."

Hmm, I think he is right.

For every person with a family member in uniform

and for those that need reminded what it is like to serve this country in uniform, go watch Until Then. Be humbled by these scenes and be proud of those that serve.

Note- this comes with a hankie requirement and lump in your throat alert. Found at Black Five's blog.

Utah and pets in the news again today!

What the heck is going on except foolishness that's causing the Zion Curtain to be rent and our embarrasing behaviors to be displayed for the whole world to see? Yesterday it was the story about silly laws in Provo governing how many and what types of pets could be owned, today the story is about a woman performing surgery on her deceased chihuahua to save the puppy's lives!

CEDAR CITY, Utah (AP) - A quick-thinking EMT performed a Caesarean section on her dead Chihuahua to save the lives of three puppies. Carolyn Shaw was at work two weeks ago when she received a call from her husband, saying their long-haired Chihuahua, Annie, was in labor and whimpering under the bed.

Next thing you know someone will be reporting that Ken Jennings finally looses in Jeopardy! Like that could happen...