Kids These Days

Kids These Days

I gotta say that I was scared by, and yet sadly identified with the article I just read on teens and honesty. It looks as though good old-fashioned integrity is going the way of the dinosaur.

If corporate executives are already comfortable cooking the books and tanking their companies just so they can max out their personal bonuses, what are the kids of the future going to stoop to?

Random

Random

This post is not in character with my typical style, but I was thoroughly taken aback by something yesterday and need to blog about it.

I've been a victim of a random act of the unexpected—the painfully unexpected. Let me put this into perspective…

When you repeat something over and over again and get the same result every time, it seems logical that you could expect that pattern to continue without interruption. For me, that expectation was with my microwave. I put in a mug of water, I push the button for the exact amount of time I always do, and I get out a perfectly warmed mug of water ready for hot chocolate.

Though there are a couple of variables that could adversely affect the expected outcome (initial water temperature, type of mug, etc), once these variables have been accounted for, the outcome should be a no-brainer—especially when the EXACT procedure was performed just hours earlier.

Not so, apparently.

So, I go and get my mug, my water, set the time, and start the microwave with the anticipation of enjoying a delicious mint chocolate beverage. The microwave magically warms the water over a period of a minute or so, and then beeps its customary beep to alert me that I'm just seconds away from liquid chocolate bliss. That's when things went terribly wrong.

I nonchalantly reached in, wrapped my index finger around the mug handle, and milliseconds later jerked my already blistering finger away from the mug in a yelp of pain. The thought of cursing briefly crossed my mind, but was instantly replaced by throbbing pain.

I ran my fingers under cool water for quite some time, all-the-while wondering what had just happened. I've touched hot mugs before, but never a hot mug handle. I can guarantee that none were ever as overwhelmingly hot as this one. It was like I had wrapped my finger around the heating element of my oven. I've got the blisters to prove it!

What did happen? Was my microwave malfunctioning? Was the mug somehow harboring ill will against me? Was there some previously undiscovered metal in the mug that never manifested itself? WHAT?

I know, this is not that big a deal, but I got burned and I didn't deserve it!

There, I've said my piece. If anyone has a good explanation for what happened, I've got a finger that is looking for answers (and retribution…).

I've Been Tagged (Seriously)

I've Been Tagged (Seriously)

So, of all the people who could have tagged me (my wife, Jenny, ...) I got tagged by an old co-worker and friend, Jonathan. So, as is part of this tag, here are 6 weird and random things about me.

The rules are:

* Link to the person who tagged you
* Post the rules on your blog
* Write six random things/unspectacular quirks about yourself
* Tag six people at the end of your post and link to them
* Let each person you have tagged know by leaving a comment on their blog
* Let the tagger know when your entry is posted

6 Weird things about myself, in no particular order:

1. I am a huge fan of the Twilight series (yes, I said Twilight!)
2. I'm a total metrosexual
3. I never thought I would turn out to be such a computer geek (though I was already a huge "regular" geek to begin with)
4. I wanted to be Michael Jackson growing up, that is until I realized that he was a complete freak show and perv. I've really questioned my ability to pick role models since that time...
5. I love exotic and strange foods
6. I'm a salt-aholic, among others


Tag! You're it....

Kristen
Jenny
Angel
Chris
Jason
Kendra

Being Right: The Real American Way

Being Right: The Real American Way

I have had a bit of a change of heart since last Tuesday's landslide election, at least regarding my post entitled Prophetic Guidance for Our Uncertain Times. In fact, I feel rather sheepish that I would condescend to post something so incendiary without fully familiarizing myself with the totality of what it really means. That exact behavior is what I find irresponsible of others, and I try to avoid it as often as possible. So much for practicing what I preach.

There are a few glaring problems in what then Elder Ezra T. Benson said that I was all too eager to either ignore or forgive because of who he became. I was given understanding by an anonymous blogger that shared this link with me: http://thefaithfuldissident.blogspot.com/2008/10/ezra-taft-benson-vs-democratic.html.

If you have the time to read through that post I recommend doing so, if for no other reason than to keep your mind and intentions open and honest. Humility is already difficult to come by in our prideful society, but intellectual humility is almost nonexistent. The American way, or almost anyone else's way in this world for that matter, is being right and doing all within our power to assert that rightness. What dangerous and petty grounds we defend when we impose our ideas and ideals on others!

To sum this up, I still have my convictions that a conservative, limited-role government is the best way to maintain our hard-fought freedoms. I still have my reservations about what Pres. Obama will/won't do during the next 4 years. But I refuse to be a part of the bandwagon of president bashing that has destroyed our country's morale, divided our resolve, and tarnished the legacy of courage and service that George Bush has tried to build during his tenure—and which bashing is already being hurled at President Elect Obama, and he hasn't even done anything yet!

Do I fundamentally disagree with many leftist policies? YES. Will I do my part to make sure my voice is heard when I agree/disagree with certain legislation? YES. Will I support our president as he tries to lead this country as he feels is best? YES. If any of you doubt my reasons for doing so, I simply ask you to take a look at the 12th Article of Faith. Until the Lord reigns on earth, this is my duty.

A Big, Yet Scary, Duh

A Big, Yet Scary, Duh

Study: Sex on TV linked to teen pregnancies

I have to post this link because I am both smugly amused that popular news has condescended to post this story, as well as privately embarrassed that Kristen and I are both consumers of one of the sitcoms mentioned (Friends).

Kristen, I think it's time that we re-evaluate our TV viewing habits.

Prophetic Guidance for Our Uncertain Times

Prophetic Guidance for Our Uncertain Times

There are times when I forget just how true the Church is, and just how inspired our prophets are. I thank God for reminders like the one I just received, and which I quote below.

I came across this link on Facebook that one of my friends shared. I quote below from The Dimmick's blog, with a link to the original article.

"This talk was given by Ezra Taft Benson in 1977. Then a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles then later becoming Prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, he warns us of socialism sneaking into our government. He warns about redistribution of wealth and socializing health care. He warns that “they pull down what is above and they never raise what is below.” “You are not here to be a parasite or a freeloader. The price you pay for something for nothing may be more than you can afford.” It is broken up into two parts."

Part 1 of 2



Part 2 of 2



"The full text of this speech can be found here."

http://speeches.byu.edu/reader/reader.php?id=6162 starting at the sub-title “Socialism–a Philosophy Incompatible with Man’s Liberty”.

As a Little Child

As a Little Child

Some things are true. Others are undeniable.

I have been blessed today in several instances to see, hear, feel, and participate in the wonder that is the pure love and spirit of children. From the beautiful primary program our ward put on today, to the powerful spirit of a special boy on Extreme Makeover, Home Edition, to the love and laughter of my own amazing children, I have been deeply touched. It is this wonder that prompted the Master to exclaim, "…whoso repenteth and cometh unto me as a little child, him will I receive, for of such is the kingdom of God."

I found that when I'm around these wonderful children that I am my best self, and I want to be a better person for them. There is just something amazing about the promise that is in each of their eyes and the innocence and love they express in their being.

I would be a fool if I didn't thank my beautiful wife Kristen for her love and sacrifice to bring our two beautiful, wonderful kids into this world. She is my hope, and my guiding light through personal wildernesses. I love you. Thank you for giving me joy beyond words.