.

First In The Neighborhood!

2008-11-07T18:12:00.003-07:00

Yes, we did it! November 7, 2008 we became the first family in our neighborhood to put up our Christmas lights. Cross that one off of my list of life long accomplishments. I try to keep the bar pretty low.

Now why on earth would I put my Christmas lights up so early you may be asking yourself. First, I like to refer to them as winter lights so let's not be exclusive here. Second, have you ever put winter lights up at the end of November? It's not only a time consuming experience, but it's dang cold and quite miserable. By planning a few weeks ahead I can avoid the wrath of Jack Frost. Finally, it seems as soon as you put them up it's time to take them down. At least this way I can enjoy them just a little bit longer.

For those of you reading this blog post that put up lights around the holiday season just admit it you're jealous. And now you're thinking to yourself, maybe I too should put my lights up sooner rather than later. That's right, give in to the temptation. The season is upon us.

Is The Media Liberally Biased?

2008-10-22T14:53:00.008-06:00

This is a question that is often heatedly debated by the general public and one of which I feel qualified to write on since I ran a web department for CBS News for over 3 years. Today I went to the websites of the "5 Major" news operations in the United States and captured what the headlines were that displayed for both Republicans and Democrats at the top of each website's homepage respectively. Here are the results:

CNN

Republican Based Headlines on Front Page:

1) Felon’s Cautionary Tale of ‘How To Rig An Election (about a former Republican operative who went to Federal prison after felony charges for jamming the lines of the Democratic party on election day)

2) Palin misstates VP role

3) Republican Attacks are Desperate

4) Protester tries to handcuff Karl Rove

Democrat Based Headlines on Front Page:

1) Obama Says Economy, Security Linked

CBS News

Republican Based Headlines on Front Page:

1) The Invisible Man of Campaign ’08 (about how President Bush has yet to appear at a campaign rally for this election)

2) Stevens Corruption Case In Hands Of Jurors (about charges brought against longest-serving senate Republican)

3) $150G From GOP For Fashions For Palins?

4) Obama: McCain’s in Cahoots With “Joe the CEO”

Democrat Based Headlines on Front Page:

1) Is North Carolina Turning Blue?

2) Big Donors Drive Obama’s Money Edge

MSNBC News

Republican Based Headlines on Front Page:

1) McCain asks N.H. For One More Comeback

2) GOP Spends $150,000 for Palin’s Wardrobe

3) Bachmann: Talk Show Appearance ‘Big Mistake’ (about a Republican who made an ‘anti-American’ Obama comment on a talkshow)

Democrat Based Headlines on Front Page:

1) Obama Targeting McCain’s Own State

2) Obama has a Trump Card

ABC NEWS

Republican Based Headlines on Front Page:

1) McCain’s Odds Lengthen in Crucial States

2) Palin Shopping Spree Legal? Yes, But Barely

3) Karl Rove Escapes Handcuffs

Democrat Based Headlines on Front Page:

1) Obama Boogies Down on ‘Ellen’

2) Obama Defends Running Mate Biden

3) Hasselbeck’s Obama Confession (Elizabeth Hasselbeck admits she considered voting for Obama after his DNC speech)

FOX NEWS

Republican Based Headlines On Front Page:

1) Joe ‘The Stumbler’s” Big Gift To McCain

2) You Decide: $150G For Palin’s Wardrobe?

3) Palin: The Election is ‘All in God’s Hands’

Democrat Based Headlines On Front Page:

1) Obama Grabs 9-Point Lead

2) How Does Obama Spend More Than $390M?

3) Report Raises Questions on ACORN Funds

So there you have it folks. I think it is obvious that Fox News leans more to the right more than the other news agencies, but that being said the main headline on their site was "Obama Grabs 9-Point Lead," which is very pro-Democrat. The other 4 News agencies clearly have a liberal agenda as almost every headline puts the Republican party in a bad light and makes the Democrats look good. There are several serious issues in this election that could have been brought up in regards to the Democratic party, but the general media (with the exception of Fox News) has avoided reported them.

For those of you who are unclear as to how stories are chosen to be reported on the news let me briefly explain. Reporters seek out stories and pitch their ideas to the News Director who ultimately decides if it is "News Worthy" for the general public. That's it! Yes, that's right one person ultimately decides what he/she thinks you need to hear. The news business is not a democracy, it is a dictatorship and the blind public puts their trust in biased dictators.

When I worked in the news there was a quote on the wall from Hunter S. Thompson that read:

"The news business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free, and good men die like dogs. There's also a negative side."

This statement couldn't be more true and it ultimately was the reason I abandoned this career path. This being said, there are good people who work in the news business and I'm friends with a lot of them, but until the process changes in how the news is reported it's important to seek out the truth and not be blinded by sensationalism. The news business has done a huge disservice in this upcoming presidential election and a lot of people have had the wool pulled over their eyes because of it.

To quote a great 90's television show and to end this post in conspiracy theory type fashion:

"THE TRUTH IS OUT THERE!"

The Worst Music Video Ever!

2008-09-23T13:32:00.002-06:00

So yesterday I posted a music video that I thought could quite possibly be the worst video ever made (If you haven't seen it yet you'll want to make sure that you do as it will most definitely make your day!).

Today I discovered that I was wrong. Unless someone can show me otherwise, I am quite confident that this is the worst music video ever made.

Can Lightning Strike Twice?

2008-09-22T17:01:00.006-06:00

I don't even know where to begin with this post. I mean can words describe how much this video made my day? This has got to be the best web video in the history of web videos! Wow! I am left utterly and totally speechless.

Just when I think I've seen it all.

What Is This Baby Saying?

2008-09-18T11:19:00.011-06:00

The other day Mindy was at the park with Lou Lou and Tu Tu and took this picture of the little one. When I saw it I couldn't help but laugh as her facial expression cracks me up.

I couldn't help but wonder what on earth she was trying to tell her mother and so now I give you the opportunity to provide the caption you see most fitting.

My initial reaction was, "I'm Gumby!"

Not So Fast, But I Look Really Cool!

2008-09-09T10:31:00.008-06:00

Today I entered the world of cycling and rode for a mere 15 miles of what can be described simply as exhilarating pain.

I quickly learned that somewhere down the road I need to buy a new seat as the stock one that comes with my bike is a real pain in the rear....literally! However, with some seat adjustments it will at least be manageable for the short term, but there is no way I am riding a century next summer on this seat. I know exactly what I will ask for this upcoming Christmas.

I also learned how exhilarating it is to ride down hills at 30+ miles an hour and how deadly focused I became while doing so as the thought crossed my mind that were I to crash at such speeds it would really, really hurt.

It also became blatantly obvious how important generating speed down a hill is (at least in Colorado) because you can pretty much guarantee that at the bottom of that hill is another hill you're going to have to climb back up! Any momentum you can generate prior to climbing makes the overall effort that much easier, which by the way wasn't easy for my out of shape body. I thought my legs were going to fall off!

Overall, it was an awesome experience! I loved seeing the sun rise over the Colorado cornfields. I liked the wind blowing in my face, but wished that it were a little bit warmer (the Fall weather is upon us and it's a little chilly until you get your body moving).

I wasn't that fast averaging a little over 15 miles and hour, but I also didn't push it that hard as I was learning the ins and outs of my bike and also didn't want to pay the price of not being able to move the next morning. Plus, I didn't adjust my seat until half way through which made a significant difference in my overall comfort level. Next time I will go faster! I feel good enough that I'll probably go back out tomorrow morning.

But I looked cool, at least I think I did. My wife on the other hand thinks I'm a dork which I by the way am not arguing.

I am a dork, a really cool dork!

The Big Second Grader's First Day

2008-08-19T16:41:00.006-06:00

It feels like just yesterday I was holding your newborn infant body in my arms. I promised myself on that day that I would do everything in my power to love and protect you.

Now you talk incessantly about Zac Efron and High School Musical and think your dad is goofy. Where did the time go? When did you become such a big girl?

Don't grow up too fast little one. I'm greedy and don't want to share you. When you're away I miss your smile, laughter and the silliness you inherited from your dad.

I love you sweet daughter. I'm proud of who you are and that you have a true desire to do that which is good and right. And while it pains me that you're growing up so quickly I marvel at the young women you will one day become, but for now I'm excited for the second grade. Go get them!

Shock and Awe!

2008-08-15T15:40:00.008-06:00

Hello world! Did you miss me?

Don't be mad. It's not like I've gone 2 months without posting a blog entry. I would never do such a thing! My style is more like 2 months and 5 days, please give me some credit. In any case I'm sure you have better things to do then sit around and read my boring blog, even if I am freaking hilarious!

So you may be wondering why this blog entry is entitled "Shock and Awe." I suppose the simple answer is that I'm actually writing a blog entry after a very long hiatus. However, during my absence many things have happened that have been both shocking and awe inspiring and so this entry will focus on them.

SHOCK: I have a blog stalker. You know who you are, I know who you are and I know you're reading. You may have had the upper hand before but with this newfound revelation I will skillfully craft my words...... whatever that means.

AWE: My father played 18 holes of golf in the 90s. If you don't believe in a Supreme Creator then please reread that last sentence. After a year of not playing golf, several months of cancer treatment, and a whole bunch of lost muscle/weight he still shot in the 90s. If that's not proof of divine intervention then I need to quit this game.

SHOCK: My brother has feelings. He may not show it that often but after my last visit to Virginia I am no longer convinced that his heart is made of stone.

More like soft sedimentary rock. I love you brother!

AWE: Michael Phelps, Tiger Woods, and Rafael Nadal. If you have no idea why I am mentioning those 3 athletes then you probably are a more productive individual then I am.

SHOCK: My wife did not finish the new Stephenie Meyer's book in a day. She didn't even finish it in 2 days! It ended up being a 4 day affair. LITERALLY! I'm not complaining though since I've found that personally having pale skin and sharp canine teeth has benefits every time she finishes reading these books.

AWE: iPhone 3G. How did I live without you? This device is the greatest thing since sliced bread! I can check my email from anywhere, browse the internet, pay my bills, and use realtime GPS. I can even update my blog, not that I have, but I could....oh yes, I could! Muhahahahaha! Sorry, got a little carried away there.

SHOCK: This summer my family flew to both San Diego and Virginia. My tickets to San Diego for 4 people were under $600 dollars. My trip to Virginia had a layover in each direction and neither was delayed. The children were wonderful for both trips. I need to go back and look in the Book of Revelation but I'm pretty sure this is a sign of that end of the world is near at hand.

SHOCK AND AWE: So you may be wondering why I haven't blogged for such a long time. I feel that since some of you have been so patient I owe it to you to come clean. This may be shocking to some of you but the truth is......

And I hope you can take this with an understanding of the real importance for the greater good.

The truth is......

I AM BATMAN.

Don't Cross Me Child, I Can Make One Just Like You!

2008-06-10T20:06:00.007-06:00

This is what my Dad use to say to my brother and I growing up when we were misbehaving. He has a picture of the 2 of us together where we look strikingly similar. Now, I'm not saying I'll use this same statement on my children in the future, but if you look at the pictures below you will see that I could if I wanted.

Tess: almost 3 months.

Lou-Lou: almost 3 months.

My 30th Birthday

2008-06-09T09:54:00.006-06:00

Yep, this picture pretty much sums up how I feel about turing 30...... I'm tired, dang tired.

However, as my witty wife who refuses to blog pointed out there are some strikingly strong similarities between me and my youngest daughter.

At 30 years of age I'm pretty much content with the same things she is, a solid bowel movement in the morning, a long nap in the afternoon, and some boobs at night.

I hope this made your day.

Windsor, CO: Tornado Ground Zero

2008-05-25T18:45:00.008-06:00

This weekend I had the opportunity to help my cousin clean up his home after it was struck by a category 4 tornado. It measured almost a mile wide and had wind speeds up to 150 miles per hour. Thankfully he and his family are all safe, but the destruction it left in it's path is mind boggling.

I was so impressed with the level of cooperation between religions, community organizations and federal resources. When tragedy likes this strikes it reminds me of what makes this nation so great....our people.

I was overwhelmed by the love and support shown by everyone who came to help. The clean up and reconstruction efforts will undoubtedly take time, but this town will get through it as they exercise a firm compassion towards their fellow Americans.

I have included a photo slide show to this post. Select the large image of each photo to read a description.

Also, when your done reading this post go find your loved ones, gather them near you and remember what is truly important in life. Material things can be replaced, family cannot.

Happy Mother's Day To The 3 Most Important Mothers In My Life

2008-05-11T15:49:00.010-06:00

My Mother

First and foremost, I have to tell my mother how much I love her and how grateful I am for all that she has done for me throughout my life. I don't always show it but I have a sincere and profound love for her.

She continues to be an example to me of service, love, and sacrifice. Anyone, who has been keeping track of how she has cared for my father during this time of trial knows that she is a truly amazing woman.

I hope to one day live up to the legacy she continues to set each day of her life. I love you, Happy Mother's Day!

My Mother-In-Law

If it weren't for her, I'd have no wife and then the world would have never seen the likes of my 3 daughters and this would be a true tragedy.

My mother-in-law is a great example of one who bares trial with a smile on her face. I won't go into the details, but her life

has been anything but easy. Sometimes I think were I in her position my faith would waiver, but she is a rock and has an unrelenting faith in the Lord and her purpose here on earth.

She loves to make others happy and often goes to great lengths to do so. This is something I admire and need to work on in my current calling at church. I love you, Happy Mother's Day!

My Wife

Any way you analyze my life you will find that my wife makes me a better person. She is truly my better half! I can't believe that I actually had enough skill to somehow convince her to marry me. Maybe I should have been a lawyer.

This woman is beautiful, loving, compassionate, kind, funny, and a really good cook! She has more patience than I give her credit for, I mean she does deal with both me and Olivia and that is not an easy undertaking.

I hope that my daughters grow up to be more like her than me because in my mind she clearly brings better qualities to the table. I love her very much and am sad when we're apart. She is tangible proof that God loves me. The real question is what did she do wrong in her previous life to end up with the likes of me?

I love you honey, Happy Mother's Day!

And The April Bloggie Goes To.......

2008-05-04T22:04:00.007-06:00

Anderson Zoo for her post on "the VIPER."

There were a lot of really great posts out there in April, but anyone who can keep my attention when writing about a toilet and even make me laugh deserves an award.

What really set this post apart from the others was the intriguing demonstration video of the the Viper's awesome and forceful power. Not only did the testers put pieces of simulated....um....poo in the toilet, but they stepped it up a notch by putting an entire bowl of fruit salad in the thing. Maybe you didn't hear me right, an entire bowl of fruit salad!!!

Please note that if you ever digest an entire bowl of fruit salad at once you should seek medical attention immediately, unless of course your an elephant. Actually now that I think of it if you are an elephant and you ever digest and entire bowl of fruit salad at once you should also seek medical attention as this is a sure sign of constipation. Oh, I totally went there. A healthy elephant would surely digest several bowls of fruit salad.

Anyway, It should also be noted that in the world of "Bloggies" threatening the judge is equally as effective as kissing up to him. Threats from a lawyer are even more effective.

But all this being said, the post was funny and tackled an unusual and private subject matter. So, congrats Mrs. Anderson you made me and all bums across America proud. And I don't mean the homeless people.

Now if I could only decide if I'd rather eat your cooking or use your fancy latrine?

You can read "the VIPER" post by clicking here.

So Much For Global Warming!

2008-05-02T07:53:00.010-06:00

I am convinced that global warming is possibly the biggest fabrication in the world today. I acknowledge that the world's climate is changing, but feel that this follows a natural pattern that earth has seen over thousands of years.

My favorite thing that liberal environmentalists claim is that we are seeing erratic climate patterns due to global warming. So in other words the reason that it snowed in Denver yesterday on May 1, 2008 is because the earth is warming up at an unprecedented rate. That makes sense. Not!

For those of you that think global warming is an undeniable truth I suggest you go read Michael Crichton's book, "State of Fear." He cites multiple renowned scientist and climatologist throughout the world that basically state that there is really no strong evidence to substantiate global warming. Why do you think liberals have steered clear of this term and started saying "climate change" instead.

But wait, what about Al Gore's "An Inconvenient Truth?" Clearly that shows that global warming is at a crisis state throughout the world and we need to act now or we're all doomed! I mean he won he Nobel Peace Prize, so there has to be something to what he's saying, right? Wrong.

First of all, I don't know what global warming has to do with global peace, so the Nobel Peace Prize totally lost credibility in my eyes. Second, scientist throughout the world have pointed out that the documentary has 9 glaring scientific errors in it. Does this disturb anyone as much as it does me? If I had 9 errors in a deliverable for a client I would get reprimanded by my employer, but in this case we shouldn't be bothered by blatant lies, let's give the man an award! I bet Mother Teresa, the 1979 winner, rolled over in her grave when Al Gore received the Nobel Peace Prize.

Don't get me wrong people, I'm a huge supporter of developing new energy alternatives. One, because it will help my breathing to have cleaner air. I learned this while living in Russia where the air quality is abysmal. Two, we clearly need to reduce our dependence on foreign oil! I think we can all agree that gas prices are outrageous! I just get irritated that this has become such a huge issue in the liberal agenda as I think there are far more important issues such as the economy, education, health care, and global terrorism. I wonder if the Nobel Peace Prize committee ever thought of handing out an award for "PEACE" in on of those areas.

The real fact is that global warming is a blatant lie that is being used to try to stir the emotions of the general public for political purposes. Don't be surprised if environmentalist abandon their stance on global warming in a few years and start talking "Global Freezing." Their proof? It snowed on May 1, 2008 in Denver, Colorado. We're all doomed!

The Definition of a Character

2008-04-29T15:56:00.004-06:00

These photos were taken by our favorite German in California. I don't know if she wants me to disclose her identity so I'll just leave it at that and move on. Anyway, for those of you that have had the opportunity to meet my dear, sweet middle child then you know that she is quite the character. For those of you that haven't met her the pictures say it all.

Does Somebody Have a Urim and Thummim?

2008-04-28T21:20:00.005-06:00

I did it, I really did it. Some 100+ posts later I am finally caught up with everyone's blogs. I am never taking off 2 1/2 weeks from the blogosphere again!

I was told by a blond lawyer that were I to award a Bloggie this month (which I will) that in fairness I had to read every entry that I missed on everyone's blog. To that lawyer I now can say that not only have I read every entry, but that her blog took me over an hour to read. You really should write books girl!

Anyway, during the course of reading I posted an occasional comment here and there and many times came across the dreaded "Word Verification" functionality. I myself employ this functionality on my site thinking that it in some way it makes it more safe.

It doesn't.

In fact, it can often times can be extremely frustrating and increasingly annoying. Is it just me or are there days when the words are absolutely in no way, shape, or form legible to the human eye? I found myself numerous times looking at the screen thinking, "maybe it's an L, could be a K......wait.....wait.....is that a lower case J? I think it just may be!" only to have my patience tested when the word is rejected upon submission.

I swear there are days one needs a Urim and Thummim to decipher the cryptic signs of Word Verification. And so today, I am setting this blog free....free from the ambiguity....free from the frustration....free from the need to enter random letters.

I feel like I need a video clip of Mel Gibson yelling "Freedom!" from Braveheart.

"Don't Cry For Me Fellow Bloggers...."

2008-04-24T10:19:00.014-06:00

The truth is I never left you. Okay, so maybe I did for a time and if you want to know exactly how long talk to my sister because apparently she's been keeping track. I've just been super busy traveling back and forth between Denver and Boston for work and really haven't had a moment to reach out to what I am sure is a quickly depleting reader base. It wasn't until yesterday that my body remembered what time zone it was in and I think my mind is just catching up. Truthfully, It feels as though I just posted.

So if any of you are still out there, here is a brief recap of everything that has happened since my last post:

1 Month For Tessa

It seems as though she was just born, but she's already a month and some change. Her eyes no longer have the red rings around the pupils which were caused by her quick entrance into the world. Both she and mom are doing great, but I think the wife wishes that Tessa didn't want to eat "literally" every 2 hours. It has made for many sleepless nights which have made for even more difficult days in my absence. In short, my wife is amazing! I couldn't deal with the demands of motherhood without being taken to the "nutty house." All hail mothers!

It also is reasonable to think that I still have "nutty house" potential as a father.

JetBlue, I Love You

In an attempt to understand my wife's sleep depravation I decided to put myself through a similar experience by taking the "red-eye" on JetBlue. I had a 3 hour meeting in Boston and decided that instead of staying there overnight it made more sense to fly in and out on the same day. It seemed like a good idea until I realized that I only would get 3 hours sleep in a 36 hour time period. This is the closest I have ever been to drug experimentation as my mind was doing some wacky things in the 36th hour.

The only saving grace to all of this was that I flew JetBlue which is um....AWESOME! In short this is what the service entailed: Sleep Kit (i.e ear plugs & eye mask), Unlimited Snacks (I recommend the Pistachio/Almond Biscotti), Leather Seat, Free Satellite TV, Free XM Radio, Warm Washcloth, Complimentary Bottle of Dove Lotion, Extra Leg Room for $20 (well worth it for anyone over 6 feet). It was almost like flying Domestic First Class, in fact it's better than United First in many respects.

If you ever get the chance to fly Blue I strongly recommend it. One of the few great airlines left in the United States.

Juno, That Was a Good Movie

I saw this flick while flying on JetBlue. I thought it was really well done and Ellen Page cracked me up. Granted the story line is a bit disturbing being that it deals with teen

pregnancy and divorce, but I did like how the character chose to put the baby up for adoption instead of the alternative. I thought the film had some really sincere moments and for some reason it reminded me how much I love my family.

Are You Insane?

This is the question you must ask me when I tell you that I decided to buy 2 Yankees hats for my children while in Boston. My good friend Rob did the same thing for his kids a week earlier and the cashier wouldn't talk to him for the remainder of the time he was in the store. Look Sox fans, if you have such issue with the Yankees then why are you selling their memorabilia in the first place?

Anyway, I decided that I would buy that hats in the "Lids" store in Logan airport. I figured this way if a riot broke out I would have a quick getaway on the airplane. I nervously went up to the cashier and whispered, "I'd like 2 Yankees hats for kids please." She looked at me for a second and then looked around the store. I was sure she had some blunt object under the table and I was about to see an untimely death, but then the unexpected occurred. She raised her hand for what I was sure was about to be a blow to the face and said, "All right, give me five!"

Could it be? A Boston born Yankees fan? Much to my surprise and delight the answer is a resounding "Yes!" Clearly the gentiles are starting to see the light. Isn't this one of the signs of the Second Coming in the Book of Revelations?

Grandma Lamma

Too funny not to share. The other night at dinner Olivia looked at me and the dialogue went something like this:

Olivia: When is the Lamma coming to visit?

Me: You mean Grandma Lamma in Virginia?

Olivia: Yeah, Lamma.

Me: Do you think her name is Lamma?

Olivia: (looking at me like I'm an idiot) Yeah!

Me: Lamma Carlson?

Olivia: Yeah!

Me: Okay, I'm cool with that.

Because we refer to the other Grandma as "Grandma Sharon," she automatically assumed that my mother's name is "Lamma." I think I'll leave it that way for a while as it makes me laugh, just like when we pass McDonald's and Olivia exclaims, "Look! There's Old McDonald's!"

Priceless!

Blessing Baby Tessa

2008-03-31T20:07:00.005-06:00

So a funny thing happens when a new baby enters the home. One becomes so enthralled with the child that everything else goes by the wayside. It wasn't until yesterday that I realized the day of the week and date of the month. The only reason this became necessary was that it was the day I was to give Tessa a baby blessing in church.

I apologize to those of you who have been anxiously anticipating a new blog entry from me. The fact of the matter is that I have the greatest distraction of all time in my life right now and she demands attention and I am more then happy to oblige.

The baby blessing was a wonderful moment and I am grateful to all those who participated. I know some of you really wanted to be here but were unable to attend due to various circumstances. Your intent did not go unnoticed and your spirit and love were felt despite your absence. Please know that my children have a strong understanding of the family and friends who love and support them, even when separated by great distances.

Which leads me to a quick thought. In giving Tessa the blessing I became profoundly aware of the tremendous love our creator has for each of us. I can't really describe the feeling but I've felt it a lot over the past month. I've heard it in the comforting voices of family and friends, I've seen it in the faces of total strangers, I've touched it in the form of newborn perfection. His love surrounds us in some way in every walk of life, all we have to do is pay attention.

So as I look into the eyes of this new fallen angel, I am reminded of my father above. And for a brief moment I remember.... I remember what it feels like to be in his presence. I remember how much he loves me. I remember what is truly the most important thing in this life. And I remember how much he wants us to come home so that he can hold us and be distracted from all of his responsibility if but for a moment.

A Rare Moment

2008-03-20T14:45:00.008-06:00

Using the iSight built into my laptop I captured a rare moment of Tessa actually awake. One minute later she was asleep, a minute after that she had an explosion in her diaper, 5 minutes later she was breast feeding. So it begins.

Photos from the Joyous Day!

2008-03-19T11:28:00.007-06:00

The happy big sisters. Please notice the awesome hat made by the nurse from New York City. Word!

Mom feeling great (not really but she sure looks like it!)

Kicking back in the sauna.

In moments that thumb will be in the mouth. We have a sucker people!

Introducing Tessa Grace

2008-03-19T08:59:00.006-06:00

Born: March 19, 2007

Time: 7:38 AM

Weight: 8 pounds 5 ounces

Height: 21 inches

Number of Pushes from Mindy: 4

Epidural: Much to Mindy's dismay.........NO

Stay tuned, more details and photos to come!

To Blog or Not To Blog?

2008-03-18T14:24:00.005-06:00

I am a huge supporter of new media. As an Information Architect I find it fascinating to discover and understand all of the various means society uses to communicate with one another.

The internet has opened doors to a realm of communication that 20 years ago one could have only envisioned in a science fiction movie. I feel fortunate to live in a day in age when with the click of a button one can easily reach out to friends and family. I am especially mindful of those of you who are separated by great distances from your loved ones. How wonderful it is to be able to contact them on a daily basis through the miracle of the modern day computer.

Blogging, while not relatively new to the internet has become for me a new way to stay informed to the lives of people I care about. The concept was originally intended to serve as a form of online journal keeping, but with the advent of social networks such as MySpace, Facebook, LinkedIn and others it has become a hybrid cross between record keeping and idea sharing.

I have heard critics compare blogs to Christmas card letters claiming that their purpose is to serve egotistical maniacs in a way that allows them to brag even more. I cannot deny that this may be true for some, however, I feel that when used prudently a blog can enrich the lives of others and bridge connections that otherwise would be lost. I am more than pleased with the people I have reconnected with since entering the blogosphere. It has even reminded me that I have a brother that lives in Virginia. (-:

And so to those critics I say "Wake Up!" With every great idea comes greater condemnation. There have been critics with the phone, automobile, plane, computer, internet and every other idea that have made our lives more convenient. Are there times these things are used improperly for something bad? Absolutely. Does that mean that we can't utilize this technology for something good. Absolutely not.

And so when asked the question, "To Blog or Not To Blog?"

I vehemently reply, "To Blog!"

A Letter to my Father

2008-03-11T20:18:00.006-06:00

Dear Dad,

I can't even begin to understand how difficult the past couple of weeks have been for you. If it were possible I wish I could take your place and undergo the necessary treatment to rid your body of the cancer which has attacked you.

As an outsider looking in I have felt helpless just wishing that there was something I could do to help. No child wants to see their parents suffer, especially when they are thousands of miles away and cannot embrace the one they love. You and mom got a taste of what I talking about when I was hospitalized in Russia. It has taken everything in my power not to get on a plane and fly out there.

When I got off the phone with you the last time we spoke I was determined to help you. The fact is simple, I am a Carlson and we just don't do well sitting around in a time of crisis. Following our conversation it dawned on me what was needed.

For as long as I can remember you have always had a talent at inspiring others. When morale is low you rally the troops! I appreciate how you have always made me feel that you were proud of me, even in those moments when I felt as though I let you down. You have boosted my self esteem time and again and made me feel like I could accomplish anything.

Now it's my time to return the favor. I have rallied the troops (with the help of your wife and daughter) to remind you what is at stake in your current battle. I know you hurt and I can't imagine the discomfort you are in, but I hope this small gesture will strengthen your spirit, enliven your soul and give you the strength and courage to beat this enemy. We are behind you all the way!

Love your son,

Matthew

I have downloaded the video in 3 different versions (small, medium, large) on a secure server. You can access it by clicking here. You will need a username and password to access it. I have done this to protect the photos and comments of those who participated. If you want the username and password and I have not already sent it to you send me an email message.

Is it Time for a Change?

2008-03-03T19:54:00.031-07:00

Recently a little bird told me that I have too much point in my faux hawk. This came as a surprise since I've been sporting this haircut for about 5 years now and it really hasn't changed during that time. I always thought that it was a good style, one that has been worn by the likes of Andy Roddick, David Beckman, and Jude Law to name but a few.

However, maybe the little bird is right, perhaps it is time for a change. As an experiment I thought I'd try a few styles and solicit opinions from the readers of this blog. I hope to illustrate that the faux hawk truly is the right haircut for my head and personality.

The Malfoy

It's slick and easy and makes a guy either look tough (e.g.

James Dean), prophetic (e.g. President Monson), or as my father would point out like a drug dealer. I personally think considering my deep set eyes it makes me look like a druggie not a drug dealer.

The Matrix

Maybe my hair isn't funky enough and I need to try something that's a little more cutting edge. I know Jada Pinkett Smith sported this hairdo in "The Matrix" and it made her look hip so maybe it will work for me. The great thing about this is that it's low maintenance as this is how I look when I wake up.

The Wolverine

I happen to know that the "Little Bird" in question thinks Hugh Jackman is the "Cat's Meow." I might not have the claws, I definitely don't have the muscles, but with a little longer hair I too could shape my head to mimic the largest land dwelling species of the weasel family.

The Alfalfa

Oh yeah, I went there and you love it! This hairdo is a real crowd pleaser. It's sure to make one look like a nerd/geek which considering my obsession with BSG (that's Battlestar Galactica people!) really isn't far from the truth. The only downfall to this crome dome is that it requires a substantial amount of gel.

The 80s Feather

Okay, I will be the first to admit that I don't pull this off as well as Shar (Oh burn! Wow, I just took a page out of her own playbook. Not bad for a 10 year old, huh?) In any case, it's light and fluffy and makes you think back to days when they made films with deep meaning like "The Breakfast Club." (-;

The Dumb & Dumber

Words alone are not enough to describe this hairdo. The picture tells the real story, let us stop and have a moment of silence...... Thank you.

The Christian

This hair style is not for the faint of heart but is seriously "Fierce!" I put this in here to illustrate that despite what some may think I really do I have a normal and tame haircut.

So, little bird the next time you think my hair is out of control just look at these photos and remember it could be a lot worse! (-:

David Archuleta is Amazing!

2008-02-27T18:32:00.015-07:00

In 2002 I was running a web department for CBS News and had the opportunity to write a story about an 11 year old Latter-Day Saint singer named David Archuleta.

At the time he was competing on the revised version of "Star Search," not the good one hosted by Ed Mcmahon, but the really bad one hosted by Arsenio Hall.

When I first heard this kid sing I was completely floored! Very rarely am I so captivated by someone's God-given talent that it completely grabs my attention, but this is exactly what happened in that moment.

I occasionally will catch an episode of "American Idol." Last night I happened to turn on the television just in time to hear 17 year old David Archuleta perform (I was surprised as I didn't even know he was on the show). I once again experienced the same astonishment I felt some 6 years earlier when I first saw him perform. Click on the video to watch his performance last night. If this kid doesn't win "American Idol" then the fans have committed a hugh injustice.

Here are 2 other songs that David performed before he became an "American Idol" contestant:

A Thousand Miles

Mary Did You Know

I can't wait for the day he releases his first album as he has serious skills!

What is an Apicoectomy (ā"pi-kō-ek'tu-mē)?

2008-02-21T11:19:00.006-07:00

I asked the same question when my endodontist told me I was going to need this surgery done for a failing root canal.

I have terrible teeth and is has nothing to do with my dental hygiene. As my wife can attest I go above and beyond what the average person will do to keep their teeth clean. I've concluded that I just have bad DNA in this particular area.

I have a love/hate relationship with dentistry. I love that dentist are able to remove pain and fix failing teeth, I hate the fact that I have spent so much time having various procedures performed on me. My dentists always seem surprised by my understanding of dental procedures and technology, the sad truth is that this knowledge stems from years of experience.

The specific tooth needing surgery has caused me endless frustration. 8 years ago I had to get a root canal done and I didn't have dental insurance. I think it ended up costing me $2500, so as a poor college student I had to take a loan out to pay for it.

2 years later the crown broke. I lived in a new area that was fairly far from the previous dentist and so I opted to get a new crown put on by someone else. Thankfully this time I had insurance. The sad irony was that even though I was insured I was still paying off the loan for the previous crown even though it was no longer in my mouth.

What I learned from my experience from working with the second dentist is that you should always go to a dentist that is referred by someone you trust. I just found this guy in my insurance network and figure he'd be good and unfortunately he wasn't.

The crown that was placed on my tooth looks as if it could have been done by my daughter Olivia. To help you better understand what I mean by this imagine Olivia playing with her princess DUPLO blocks and pounding pieces on in places that just don't fit, but somehow they always do. Uh, scary.

So now the dentist informs me that the root canal is failing and simply re-doing the procedure will prove ineffective. Instead I get to experience apicoectomy fun! YIPEE! (Sense the sarcasm people)

Basically this procedure is a reverse root canal. Instead of going in from the root, the dentist attacks the infected area from the side. The picture in this blog clearly illustrates the procedure. The dentist cuts open the gums, removes and cleans the infected area, cuts off the back end of the root canal and corks it off, and then sews up the incision.

I am so excited, at last I get to experience something new and unexpected in the dental chair! (Hmmmm, that sarcasm feels good)

The good news is that this procedure is actually $65 less than having the root canal re-done (Go figure!). I am optimistic that this is finally going to solve this problem. If it doesn't it looks as if I'll have to join my dad as a member of the implant club as the only other option is extraction and while not necessary I rather like having a tooth there.

Rise Against The Machine

2008-02-17T15:02:00.011-07:00

"United" could be considered a swear word in my family!

They are the number one airline carrier in the United States and being such allows them to dictate the rules for the industry and basically bully everyone else. They will do everything in their power from losing a customer's business. They are a strong machine (much like the terminator) and are difficult to defeat.

On Friday, Samantha was supposed to arrive in Denver at 4:10 PM, but this of course did not happen. They told her that she was going to have to stay the night in Huntsville, Alabama where she had a layover. Why she had a layover in Alabama is something I will never understand. I was shocked to find out that they even have an airport in Alabama, let alone a place where layovers are regularly scheduled.

Samantha was just about to give in and go to the hotel when I begged her to go talk to the Continental people. She begrudgingly gave in to my plea and low and behold they found 1 of 2 remaining tickets to freedom. Unfortunately this travel required another layover in Houston, TX which of course also was delayed. Then when she got to Houston I think it was only fitting that she experience another delay, I mean when you're on a roll just go with it, right?

At 12:16 AM she arrived in Denver which I think is pretty good considering it was only 8 hours after her original flight time. I don't know about you guys but I think the airline industry is really improving. (;

Most importantly, however, we beat the machine. United said they couldn't get her here until 10:50 AM on Saturday and we proved them wrong and made them pay out to Continental. Despite the fact that she had to endure tedious travel that put her in Virginia, Alabama, Texas, and Colorado all in the same day, it was sweet to know that she would sacrifice her sanity to be with her brother.

Okay, who are we kidding she came to see Mindy.

The Trailer Has Arrived!

2008-02-14T17:40:00.003-07:00

Awesome, awesome, and more awesome!

Not only is this Valentine's day a moment when I can stop and reflect on the love that I have for the wonderful woman that chose to marry me, but it is also a day when I am reminded how much I love the Indiana Jones series.

If you didn't notice already the official trailer was released today. If you haven't seen it yet, stop reading my blog and view it now by clicking here.

Growing up when other kids were dreaming about being Luke Skywalker or James Bond I was imagining myself as Indiana Jones. Seriously folks, is there anyone more cool? In my mind the equation is really simple:

Whip + Amazing Adventure + Scary Reptiles/Insects + Strong Minded Beautiful Female = Awesome Movie (That I'm going to watch a hundred times till the lines are infused in my soul)

For example:

"Cover your heart Indy!" - Short Round (Temple of Doom)

"Snakes. Why'd it have to be snakes?" - Indiana Jones (Raiders of the Lost Ark)

"Don't call me junior!" - Indian Jones (The Last Crusade)

"It's not the years, honey, it's the mileage." - Indiana Jones (Raiders of the Lost Ark)

"You have chosen wisely." - The Knight (The Last Crusade)

And my all time favorite delivered on the Nazi Zeppelin by Indiana Jones in "The Last Crusade":

"No Ticket!"

May 22, 2008 can hardly come soon enough! The trailer looks like the movie will not disappoint unlike the 3 most recent Star Wars films. Then again it's hard to disappoint when you have both Lucas and Spielberg working together.

All I need now are some scary insects and a whip and my dream has become a reality.

Just Call Me The Tin Man

2008-02-10T15:24:00.001-07:00

Don't worry I still have a heart and it appears to be ticking quite well.

This past Friday marked the beginning of a dangerous and somewhat sadistic recreational activity we in the LDS community affectionally call "Church Basketball."

Why I continue to submit myself to the beast remains to be seen. Why does the mouse continue to go after the cheese even after being shocked multiple times? Some questions are better left unanswered.

Now any of you who truly know the men of the Carlson family know that when we get involved in something we are either 100% committed, or really don't care. Church basketball is no exception.

So on Friday I decided that I needed to get a little practice in before the game later that night. Please keep in mind that prior to this workout I had spent the last 6 months basically sitting in front of the computer doing my job. Anyone who works in technology can testify to the fact that it's not an industry that's conducive to a healthy lifestyle. Okay I'm just making excuses, the truth is I'm just flat out of shape.

A sane individual would slowly get back into the swing of things by instituting a controlled workout regiment, but we need not discuss my sanity in this post. Needless to say, I figure the harder you work out the quicker you can get back in shape. That seemed to work well in my early 20s, but I'm staring the big 3-0 in the face and he apparently disagrees.

After a 1 1/2 hour workout I was hurting! You would have thought I just finished the Boston marathon, the sad reality is I ran up and down the court and took a few shots. Pathetic! Like that was going to stand in the way of my Jordan-like abilities. At least that's what my mind kept telling me and I believed it.

Hey, is that cheese?

I went to the game and my legs were hurting. If you were my height and walked on longs sticks you'd be hurting too. I then played the game and my legs hurt even worse, however we did win so it was a bittersweet pain. Then I did the unthinkable.

Ow! That hurt why did you shock me!

Hey, is that cheese?

The next ward was short a player and asked if anyone would stick around. I'm an Elder's Quorum President, it's my responsibility to provide Christ-like service at a moments notice so of course I played.

Things seemed to be going pretty well until the last ten minutes of the game. One of the most interesting things I've found as I get older is sometimes the mind wants to do things that the body just won't. Surprisingly I wasn't winded at all, but my legs were killing me! With a little under two minutes to go I went up for a jump shot and that's when my body decided to shut down.

I don't know why they call it a "Charlie Horse," but I do know that they hurt like (insert you favorite expletive here)! This also marked a first for me, not of getting a charlie horse in my calf, but of getting one in both calves at the same time.

I did what any grown man would do in that situation and grabbed my legs while screaming like a baby. It took 7 minutes for them go away. I tried to stand to walk off the court, but the body objected and so I was carried off. Finally with the help of the mysterious asian power of Tiger Balm I was able to walk around.

Everything seemed like it was going to be fine following this incident, that is until the next morning. The only way to accurately describe the stiffness of my legs and their accompanying walk is tell you to go watch "The Wizard of OZ."

Just call me the tin man...... maybe the scarecrow is more accurate.

ABC's About Me

2008-02-06T16:55:00.000-07:00

Tobi Wilkinson tagged me, so I feel that I am forced to play or something bad will happen to me. Look at the letter "T" to see who I tagged.

A - Attached or Single: Attached
B - Best Friend: A fantastic woman I call "Min". Jeremy Crowley outside of marriage.
C - Cake or Pie: Pie! I've got Nelson blood people!
D - Day of Choice: Any day where I get an extra hour of sleep
E - Essential Item: Got to be my Apple computer.
F - Favorite Color: Blue
G - Gummi Bears or Worms: The bears. They must be made by Haribo because, "Adults and children love it so, the happy world of Haribo!"
H - Hometown: I don't have a clue. Any suggestions?
I - Indulgence(s): Yankees, Fried Chicken, Family Guy
J - January or July: July. BBQ and the 4th. Does life get any better?
K - Kids: Two. The trilogy arrives in 6 weeks.
L - Life is Incomplete Without: Sex. I know that answer is shocking but if you think about it life really is incomplete without it.
M - Marriage Date: Sometime in August a couple of years ago.
N - Number of Siblings. Two. A sister and a brother. We're still debating if my brother is biological or not.
O - Oranges or Apples: Oranges. I'm allergic to apples.
P - Phobias or Fears: Spiders, Death, Having to introduce someone whose name I've forgotten, Being forced to swallow tons of fingernails and toenails (I know that's disturbing but it's a reoccurring nightmare I've been having for years).
Q - Quote(s): "The news business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free, and good men die like dogs. There's also a negative side." - Hunter S. Thompson.
R - Reason to Smile: Toilet paper. Think of the alternative people.
S - Season: I agree with Tobi, Fall rocks!
T - Tag Six: Ken, Naomi, Emily, Aaron, Kirsten, Shelly. I know who you are people, there's no hiding.
U - Unknown Fact About Me: If I told you it wouldn't remain unknown and I prefer that it does.
V - Vegetarian or Oppressor of Animal: I plead the fifth as I fear PETA monitors these blogs.
W - Worst Habit: Counting the strokes of deodorant I put on. A little OCD I know, but how else does one ensure balance?
X - X-Rays or Ultrasounds: X-Rays. Bones are cool and how many other words in the English language start with the letter "X"?
Y - Your Favorite Food: Fried Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Coleslaw, Baked Beans, and Biscuits. I think I am destined to live in the south.
Z - Zodiac: Gemini

Black Tuesday

2008-02-06T11:25:00.001-07:00

I am not referencing the great stock market crash of 1929 with the title of this blog entry. I could see how one might assume this considering the fact that the Dow Jones Industrial Average plunged 370 points yesterday.

The real reason I chose this title is that yesterday was "Super Tuesday," and in my opinion the results weren't that super. In fact, they were quite the opposite.

I cannot figure out for the life of me why John McCain and Hillary Clinton are currently leading in the delegate count. Has our country gone mad? The only other 2 people that would be worse in this position are Nancy Pelosi and Al Sharpton (if that ever happens I swear I moving back to Sweden, the land of my ancestors).

I'll step off my soapbox and save you the details of why I think our nation is making a huge mistake, but before I do I want to state one thing. If Barack Obama and John McCain end up being the nominees for the presidency I will not hesitate in voting for Barack Obama (Dad, if you're reading this post calm down and take a deep breath).

Why you may ask? Because I would rather have a "Carter-esque" type President in office for 4 years followed by a strong Republican President for 8 years than a liberal, washed-up Republican President in office for 4 years followed by Democrat President for 8 years. And if McCain is elected President this is exactly what will happen.

All right, enough about the candidates. Let's discuss the other disturbing issue related to this matter, the news media. Does anyone know what the actual delegate count is in this election? If you select the image attached to this post you will see the current delegate count as stated by the big 4 (CNN, NBC, FOX, CBS). What you will find is that they are all different and that certain liberal news agencies are distorting the facts to support their agenda. Look at the difference in the count between the most liberal (CBS) and the most conservative (FOX). Does this disturb anyone else as much as it does me?

I wonder what are Forefathers must be thinking about the state of our nation right now.

Fun Dip!!!!

2008-02-01T17:12:00.000-07:00

In my childhood these two words brought a shot of excitement to my body that could only be matched by the adrenaline rush of sugary goodness I would soon partake.

Today, I introduced my children to one of the greatest candy creations since the peanut butter cup. How can you possibly go wrong with a solid sugar substance that you lick and then place into a powdery sugar substance. Simply ingenious!

After coaching Olivia as to the importance of not eating the stick, she and Whitney then began the half hour process of licking and dipping. During this time of consumption I learned something extremely important that I must share with all parents, so pay close attention.

If your kids are talking your head off (I know, that's really funny coming from me) or simply driving you bonkers, might I suggest this 65 cent investment.

Once I gave them each their individual Fun Dips they sat at the table in silence licking and dipping. Occasionally one would look at the other and say, "Hmmm...this is good!" and that was pretty much it. The rest of time was spent in glorious silence. That is of course until the sugar kicked in followed by constant running around the living room coffee table.

However, I know something they don't know. Every sugar rush comes with a sugar low and their should kick in right around bed time. Simply ingenious!

Politics, Lost, Baseball, and Ding-Dongs

2008-01-30T13:54:00.000-07:00

You might be asking yourself right now what do these 4 things have in common and why on earth am I writing about them?

Yesterday, John McCain and Hillary Clinton won the Florida primary. Though I know both the Republicans and Democrats are still a long ways from selecting a final candidate, I can't help but think that these two will ultimately be our choices for the highest office in our nation.

For myself this is a very discouraging prospect as I feel neither are good choices for the Presidency. In my opinion, McCain is a Republican in name only and is too old to deal with the day-to-day challenges that face our nation. If elected, I believe we would serve only one term in office.

As for Clinton, I don't have enough space on this blog to write out all the reasons she is the wrong choice for our country. I will say that if she becomes the President she will divide and politically polarize our country in a a way this nation hasn't seen since....um....The Civil War.

The second disappointment I experienced yesterday was with Major League Baseball. It looks like Johan Santana (amazing pitcher for the Minnesota Twins) will be traded to the New York Mets and not my beloved Yankees. While I am relieved that he will not be playing for the "Team-That-Must-Not-Be-Named," it doesn't change the fact that the Yanks have a big hole in their rotation and need a quality pitcher. Hopefully they'll pick someone up soon.

The third disappointment dealt with Hostess Ding-Dongs. This is probably shocking news to all reading this post because how can you go wrong with little chocolate covered cakes that have a delicious cream center filling made of chemicals I can't pronounce? Well, you can't really. That is unless you decide to change the ingenious tinfoil wrapping that when placed in the freezer turns the cake rock hard and makes them so delicious. Unfortunately, that is exactly what happened and in so doing my childhood memories have been crushed! I will never forgive you Hostess.

Finally, tomorrow marks the 2-hour premiere of season 4 of the television show "Lost." I love this show from creator J.J. Abrams because just when I think I have it all figured out something new happens which completely blows my mind. A lot of people can't stand these conspiracy theory shows, but I embrace them with open arms and love the ambiguity they provide.

However, this show to comes with disappointment. Because of the writer's strike (can they resolve their issues already!) we will only get 8 episodes this year instead of the usual 16. Maybe if we're lucky we'll get 24 in 2009.

And now that you have patiently read this entry I will give you the answer to the question posed at the beginning of this post?

What do Politics, Lost, Baseball, and Ding-Dongs have in common?

The Answer: Our country is being led by a large group of Political Ding-Dongs who are Lost to the issues that matter to everyday Americans and would rather focus on Baseball (i.e. The Mitchell Report) than issues of true importance.

Not that baseball is unimportant, just not as important. (:

False Alarm

2008-01-27T23:17:00.001-07:00

It all started at around 2:00 PM on Sunday afternoon. Mindy was struggling to escape the seductive grasp of our IKEA couch. She had told me earlier not to let her nap during the day because this in turn made it difficult for her to sleep at night. As her eyes began to roll back into her head I reminded her of this point and she looked at me like a crazed zombie (which is of course what we all turn into when we want sleep).

Ladies, I would just like to stop for a moment and point out that this is an unfair situation to put us husbands in. If you want us to do something, don't get upset when we try to enforce it simply because you suddenly change your mind. How in the world are we supposed to know this?

Seeing the obvious "Catch 22" before me I sat confused not knowing what to do and then the first one came. Mindy opened her eyes, looked at me and said, "I think I'm having a contraction!"

This wasn't really concerning until the next one came 5 minutes later, and then 4, and then 3, and eventually down to just 2 minutes apart.

Mindy promptly called her doctor who told her to rest, drink lots of fluids, and come into the hospital if they didn't stop in 2 hours. After drinking enough water to provide our entire family 72 hours of survival the contractions wouldn't go away and Mindy had to go to the bathroom really bad! And so, off to the hospital we went.

We arrived at around 5:30 PM and sure enough Mindy was still having contractions, but thankfully they had slowed down a bit. After being admitted to the hospital the on-call nurse gave her 2 injections of Tributiline Sulfate which eventually stopped the contractions.

Now, I'm not sure what this drug is exactly, but it causes some really interesting side effects. The nurse said it's the equivalent of ingesting a triple espresso, which became readily apparent by the violent shaking Mindy was experiencing, not to mention the fact that she seemed really wired! I would just like to say that Mindy is really funny when under the influence of medication.

Then they did 2 more test, one to determine if she had a UTI (which come to find out is the #1 cause of pre-term labor in the world) and the other to determine if she would be having the baby anytime soon. The good news is that she is not going to be having the baby in the next couple of weeks, the bad news is that she does have a UTI.

They gave Mindy the medicine pictured in this entry and are confident that the UTI is what caused her contractions. She still has had a few contractions here and there, but nothing that would be considered unusual considering her infection. On Tuesday Mindy has an appointment with her doctor who I'm sure will validate that this was just a false alarm. Boy are we glad!

Praise To The Man

2008-01-27T21:35:00.000-07:00

I always knew this day would eventually come and I dreaded the thought of it.

President Hinckley's passing on January 27, 2008 hit me like a quick blow to the stomach. While I am happy that the Prophet has returned to be with his beloved Marjorie, I am truly saddened that I will never again hear this great man speak over the pulpit while living. I loved his inspired wisdom, his Christ-like compassion, and his quick wit and humor.

I think every member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has one prophet during their lifetime with whom they deeply relate and connect. I can say without hesitation that for me this Prophet is Gordon B Hinckley.

Here are but a few highlights of his church service as Prophet:

- Dedicated or rededicated 92 temples during his lifetime.

- September 23, 1995: Released "The Family: A Proclamation To The World," the most inspired document I believe has been written during my lifetime.

- April 2, 2000: Under President Hinckley's direction the LDS conference center is completed. If you've never been in this building it is one of the most impressive pieces of modern day architecture in the United States today.

- March 31, 2001: President Hinckley announces the "Perpetual Education Fund."

- Under President Hinckley's direction practically the whole BYU campus was given a face lift to include: The Wilkinson Center, Smith Family Living Center, Deseret Towers, McDonald Health Care Center, Harold B. Lee Library, Indoor Practice Facility, and the Hinckley Alumni & Vistors Center.

- March 2007: Under President Hinckley's direction The Mormon Tabarnacle is completely renovated, thus restoring one of our country's national treasures.

- Church membership has grown from 9 million to 13 million while President Hinckley served as Prophet.

Let me close this post with one of my favorite President Hinckley quotes:

“Believe in Jesus Christ, our Savior and our Redeemer, the Son of God, who came to earth and walked the dusty roads of Palestine to teach us the way of truth and light and salvation, and who, in one great and glorious act offered an atonement for each of us. He opened the way of salvation and exaltation for each of us, under which we may go forward in the Church and kingdom of God. Be not faithless, but believe in the great and wonderful and marvelous blessings of the Atonement.”

May God bless this man for his unwaivering faith and Christ-like example. For me personally it will take time before I can publicly speak his name without getting choked up. He will truly be missed.

Georgia On My Mind

2008-01-26T13:56:00.000-07:00

As I'm sure most of you know my father was recently diagnosed with head & neck cancer. I am cautiously optimistic that the doctors will be able to completely cure him and that one day I will talk of his experience with awe and admiration.

Just the other day he was fitted for a mask that will be placed on his face so that radiation may be administered to him in a very precise manner. At that appointment the doctors were very straight forward with him and explained everything that could potentially go wrong with the treatment. They don't anticipate that anything is going to go wrong, but to cover themselves legally they have to explain everything up front and get his consent.

Now, I'll be honest the list of things that could go wrong is quite daunting and I'm sure (though he'd never admit it) my father is a little intimidated, maybe even scared. And as I thought of this I found my mind drifting back to November, 1997.

I was 19 years old and serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in St. Petersburg, Russia. I was new to the country and barely spoke the language, not to mention that I was still struggling with the "Cold War" mentality that the Russians were not our friends. And then, when I was least expecting it I developed a terrible knee infection in my right knee and was rushed to the hospital for treatment.

I was sick, I mean really sick. The doctors were debating whether or not to medivac me to Helsinki, Finland as I was dehydrated, delirious and running a fever of 105. They determined that I needed to remain in the Russian hospital as I was in what they considered to be a critical state and needed to be treated immediately.

What happened immediately after that is difficult for me to remember. I remember being poked and probed by a medical staff of 4 people all of whom spoke very little English. I remember having my knee cut open and drained of the infection inside. I remember the large epidural needle being placed directly under my kneecap and injecting me with medicine. I'll never forget this moment because I almost passed out as the pain was so intense that 2 people had to hold me down with another person holding my leg steady. Most of all though, I remember being left alone in my room with my leg tightly wrapped and being more scared then I had ever been in my life.

I was thousands of miles away from my home and family, I was physically and emotionally exhausted, and I didn't understand what was wrong with me as my grasp of the Russian language was still very basic. So, I did the only thing I could think to do and cried all night long while pleading with my Father in Heaven in prayer.

My parents were very concerned and I'm sure much like I feel with my father's cancer felt helpless. All you want to do in that situation is solve the problem for the person you love. You can't do that though, and you have to face the fact that all you can do is provide moral support while the individual goes through recovery. That moral support for me came in a letter a few days later.

My morale was low and in my moment of weakness I simply wanted to call it quits and go home. It was almost as though my father could sense that and so he wrote me a letter detailing his sadistic experiences at Ranger School in the mountains of Georgia along the Tennessee Divide. He concluded the letter by writing:

"Now, why have I told you this long, tedious story about something that happened to me more than 30 years ago in the mountains of Georgia? I'll tell you why.

Because whenever I've been miserable in life- from Vietnam, to numerous field outings in awful weather, to times at work when I just wanted to scream, to disappointments, to whatever..... Whenever I have felt really low, I just remember that there is a Ranger patrol out there in the mountains somewhere, probably tired, cold, hungry and wet - and I'm a lot better off than they are feeling right now.

And guess what, after this winter in the cold and gloom of Russia, with people turning you down left and right, when you're tired and sick and hungry, you too will be building up an experience like mine in Ranger school. That experience will stay with you forever, and you'll look back at it and laugh as well as cry. But it will make you stronger, forever."

It was exactly what I needed to hear and gave me the courage to continue and complete my 2 years of service in Russia. And so, as my father faces this new challenge of cancer, I know that he is prepared and ready to tackle it. He will fight it at all costs and never give up and I will make my meager attempts to support him as he did me 10 years ago. Thanks dad, I love you.

Hello World!

2007-05-23T16:05:00.001-06:00

"Never allow your name to be printed in the media unless you're receiving some type of an award."

This is but one of the many lessons my father taught me growing up, and against my better judgment I am ignoring it.

It seems like everyone I know nowadays has either a blog or a MySpace account, so I figured it was my turn to jump on the bandwagon.

My wife tells me that only people who have something really interesting or important to say should have a blog. I really don't know if I qualify in that area, but if you know me well, then you know that I am known (despite my best efforts to the contrary) as a "Talker."

I've never really liked this label as it seems to be viewed as a negative characteristic by the general public. This in itself seems wrong, it seems to me that an individual who talks a lot should be known as a good communicator, not an annoyance.

Having said this, however, I will admit that an individual must learn when it is and is not appropriate to speak. I struggled with this concept as a child and therefore ended up writing thousands of sentences for teachers in my early grade school years.

It used to kill me that upon finishing the one hundredth sentence of my punishment (as sentence writing was always assigned in sets of one hundred), that my teacher would simply look at them, tell me I was free to go, and throw them in the trash. You would think that after writing thousands of times "I will not talk in class unless called upon by my teacher," that I would get the idea and be quiet. Instead, I just developed a really strong right hand.

Anyway, I really don't know what I'm going to write about on this blog, but I'm sure my family, the New York Yankees, BYU, and anything "Geeky" will come up frequently. Maybe by writing it all out here I won't find the need to talk as often an then will be known as "Mute Man."

Yeah.........probably not.