Quick Trip

I got home yesterday from a quick trip down to Panguitch. I went down late in the day Wednesday. Yesterday morning I got up and went over to the Flying M for a short stack of pancakes. It is a great old diner with old farmers drinking their morning coffee at the counter. A few tourists coming in for breakfast before heading out on their day in the canyons. I then went over to the hospital to meet with the doctors and their staff. It was nice to have them block out time on their schedules for us to meet. They even had typed up a list of questions. It was a really good session.

We were done earlier than I expected so I decided to go home on old highway 89. I is a beautiful drive through a canyon and past the Big Rock Candy Mountain. It reminded me of those trips to Panguitch when I was young. I am sure that that road was at least twice as long back then. As I remember it took about two weeks to make that drive. It is now a pleasure to travel through this wonderful state where I live.

The System is Willing, but the Browser is weak..

Oh so close, but yet so far. Yesterday our wireless keyboard arrived for the PS3. I was so excited. The plan was that today's post would be entered via this new setup. I am afraid that the posting entry system is one of screens that doesn't get along with the Sony PS3 Browser. Overall the PS3 is great. We have been watching Planet Earth on Blu-Ray HD and of course I am in heaven. Some real fun features with the PS3 are, the ability to remember where you were on a disk. If you don't finish a movie and then you put the disk back in later, it will just start back where you left off. If you put in a music CD the PS3 will go out to the Internet and find the disk information. Also, this bundle did include the older 80 gig system including the PS2 compatibility.

Jordan and I are now thinking about Linux for the PS3. This would allow us to run a full version of Firefox and even OpenOffice. We will have to see.

Overall we are really pleased with this new toy. Of course, there is always something else that we want.

Dads Day..

Several years ago I was in a job interview and a lady on the panel asked one of those questions that she must have just gotten out of a book. It was "if you had a T-shirt with one word on it to describe you, what would it say?". I am sure that my answer was not what she had in mind. I said my one word would be DAD. Of all the roles I play in life being a husband and dad are the most important to me. I most likely will never be a CEO or a CIO, but that is fine with me. As long as I can look back and say that I did an OK job with my family I will be happy.

Last night Jordan got home from his last scout camp and I was excited to see him and hear all about it. I share that same excitement whenever Amanda and Scott come and spend time with us. This time with my family is worth the world to me.

So on this Dads Day I want to thank my wife and kids for always being there for me.

My Dad

My Dad was always there for me when I was young. He didn't travel for his work, he came home from the refinery every night with his black lunch box in hand. Often that lunch box would include half a peanut butter sandwich that he would save for me. I have no idea why a peanut butter sandwich that had been in a metal lunch box all day tasted better, but believe me it did. It was never something he talked about it was just something that he did. He knew it was something that I looked forward to, so that is what he did.

With my father, example has always been the most important thing. I have never questioned what he believed, because I could simply watch him live his life. If there was a church meeting there was never a discussion regarding going, we were going and everyone knew it. If there was a service project to be done, once again dad was there. As I watched Dad and Mom sit down together on pay day to work out the budget, I learned about partnership in a marriage. Looking back, I realize that we often didn't have a lot of money, but at the time I never knew it.

There was always time for fun. As a young boy I never thought much about the fact that my dad would join in the neighborhood pickup baseball game. There was never any talk about why my dad was there and no other dads. That was just the way it was. I remember one hot summer day when us kids were playing in the ditch full of water to keep cool, before long dad just jumped in too.

On this father's day, I want to thank my father for always being there for me. For being a Dad, not just a father. For helping me understand what is important. You remind me of one of my favorite quotes, "I can not hear what you say, when what you do rings so loudly in my ears". It is easy to misunderstand someone's words, but easy to understand how they live their life.

Richard Oliver

I wanted to start my serious father's day entries by talking about my father in law, Richard Oliver Yeates. It has been over 5 years since he passed away and the world has not been the same. He was indeed a great man. He had a hard childhood losing his parents very early. He was a constant "make the best of it" kind of guy. He told me stories about basic training in the army. He looked at what needed to be done and just got at it. He took the experience of the army to learn as much as he could.

My experience with him was one of acceptance from day one. He was always great to me. He became a friend and father, always looking out for us and ready to help in any way he could. I spent many happy hours in the den with him just talking. He was a great example of a husband and father. He always put them first and wanted the best for them. He worried about everyone to a level that at times drove him crazy. He was a true craftsman and could build almost anything.

On father's day I hope that all of us that have been blessed by his life will take time to think about all he did for us. I am sure that he is watching his family from above and wanting the best for us as he always did.

Music to my ears..

Music has been a big part of my life. (not that I ever took music lessons seriously enough to actually play an instrument) But, from the day I bought my first album to the last mp3 download, listening to music has brought me many hours of enjoyment.

In this spirit, I wanted to honor one more father of invention. Thomas Edison, the inventor of the phonograph. He came up with the concept of a machine that could record and play back sound in 1877. He thought of many applications for it including uses for the blind. Edison was a great example of the "please try again" philosoply. Many of his inventions that were simply "cool" in his day, we can't imagine living without today. So, thanks Thomas Edison, you brought music to the world.

Father of Middle Earth

Today I want to talk about another father that has made a huge difference in my life. I would refer to him as the father of middle earth. His name is J.R.R. Tolkien. His books have taken me to a world where adventure, heroism and magic still exist. These characters and these places have become as real to me as almost anyplace on this earth.

The concept that good people working together can overcome almost anything is something that I really love. These stories show that right is worth fighting for and that hope should be a part of everything we do. In his stories the smallest of people make the biggest difference. As I have traveled with these characters over the misty mountains to the fields of Gondor, I have seen them become more than they thought they could ever be.

When the Lord of the Rings was being made into a movie I was worried that they would not be able to do the story justice. I now realize that Peter Jackson must have the same love for these stories that I do.

I have read many other fantasy / adventure stories over time, but would have to say that almost all ride on the back of Tolkien's work. I am thankful for the adventure and wonder that he has brought into my life.

I can't help it, it's so beautiful

They say that necessity is the mother of invention and I am sure that is true. This mother has given us many helpful things, the washing machine, the dishwasher and unnumbered others. But once in a while the father of invention gives us something just because it is cool. With fathers day coming up I wanted to honor a true father of invention. His name is Philo T. Farnsworth the father of the television. His innovation has brought me many wonderful hours through the years.

As many of those who know me can attest, the TV has been a big part of my life. The real problem for me growing up was that my father did not share my excitement. We went years at a time with out one in our home. My parents tell the story of having to buy a TV since they were tired of my visiting the neighbors just to watch. I will never forget the day when I was a teenager and dad decided to buy a new one. We went to the store and there on a beautiful color set was the Incredible Hulk all in green. My brother and I were amazed, we had never seen this show in color. I didn't even know that Gilligan's Island went to color starting in season two until I bought it on DVD. Of course the color TVs were still just too expensive and we brought home another black and white model.

There is no question that the television was not a necessity, there were radios in every home and information was available to everyone. But having said that, my life is richer and certainly "cooler" because of this father of invention.

The Amazing Souffle

Jordan got the idea that he wanted to try making a souffle. He spent a lot of time on the Internet searching for recipes and even reading reviews of the recipes. He settled on a chocolate souffle. Yesterday he and I got together and gave it a try. We had a great time whipping this, mixing that and folding it all together. We put it in the oven and waited impatiently to see what the result would be. It was amazing, of course neither of us have ever had a chocolate souffle before so we don't have anything to compare it to. As the recipe stated, you need to eat it right out of the oven. It did start to deflate really fast. Jane on the other hand only had one bite. She has never been a dark chocolate fan and this was hard core dark chocolate. Jordan is now looking at maybe trying a cheese souffle next. We had a great time trying something new. I am glad to see that he enjoys cooking as much as I do.

No more pencils, no more books..

Today we attended Jordan's high school graduation. It is the end of the "having kids in school" era in our house. It is hard to believe that these years have come and gone so fast. It seems like such a short time ago we were sending Amanda off for her first day of school. The program was nice, just two student speakers and both pretty short. They seemed to remember the three S's of speaking, Stand up, Speak up and Shut up. Since Jordan was in the choir he got to sit on the front row, which got him across the stage soon and helped us know where to look for him. There were 601 students in his graduating class. After the graduation we met Jake and his family outside to get some pictures with the cousins together. We then went to dinner and now Jordan is off with friends. So here Jane and I sit, she is on the couch with one lap top and I am in my chair with another. (pretty danged exciting) I'm afraid that our future may look like this more and more often. We may have to get out there and get a life.

Not an Instant Winner - Please try again

Everyone around our house knows that if there is a bottle cap, a game token, or anything where there is a chance to win something, don't let me open it. If I do, you can be assured that the words that will some day adorn my head stone will appear. "NOT AN INSTANT WINNER" Often these are followed by something like "sorry, please try again".

These words have come to have special meaning to me. Some would say "you mean your a loser?". I would say not at all. These words apply to most everything in my life. So seldom do I (or most people for that matter) get just what I want "instantly". The invitation to "try again" is one of the most important concepts we can learn. I would tell you that my "NOT AN INSTANT WINNER" tag is a badge of honor. It notes the struggle that has been a part of almost everything that is of value in my life.

This concept of trying again has paid off many times. A great example is with my wife. When we first were setup on a blind date she was less than overwhelmed with me. After calling her back a few times I got the hint that a second date was not in the offing. I would leave her alone for a month or so, and then would "try again". After a few months she was able to see the error of her ways and the rest is history. I have used this same model many times and through patience and perseverance it is amazing what can happen. So I strongly recommend whenever you are "Not an instant winner", "Please try again"..

I Love it..Not sure why..

I often find myself in front of the television watching a show called the Deadliest Catch. I am sure that at times Jane thinks that I have subscribed to the all crab fishing channel. She often says that she can't understand why I watch it. She says that it is always the same thing and in many ways she's right. It is often very much the same.

I have been trying to figure out what it is that draws me to this show. I have come up with a few ideas. These guys are out doing extreme things because that is who they are, not just what they do. They are not athletes or rock stars nor are they making millions of dollars. They are modern day cowboys and vikings all rolled up into one. They are in the end of the earth challenging the sea. I think most guys at one time or another, have dreamed of doing something that is really out there, so watching people that live that life is a draw for us. Of course being away from home for up to 8 months a year for what they make doesn't make any real sense to me.

I think back to a conversation my son and I had years ago. We were talking about the choices that make up our lives. I told him that having the freedom to be home with the family every night was worth a lot more than money. I may enjoy watching others live an extreme life, but I'm more than happy to live my normal boring life.

A Theme..

What I got for Christmas.

This year for Christmas I got a USB turntable. I think everyone should have a USB turntable. (if they have old records) For those who hear the word record and say "what?", records are big black round things that have music on both sides.

Back to the "theme". This USB turntable is allowing me to convert all my old vinyl music to mp3 files. It is taking a long time, but I am having a great time doing it. I am getting the chance to go through my old record collection. I have found albums that I forgot I had and hearing great songs that I have not heard in years. It is amazing how a song can bring back memories of things and times you have not thought of for years. I remember very clearly the high school assembly where they played Carry on Wayward Son by Kansas and the Song and Yell where they played I'm Sailing Away by Styx. Great memories, great songs. Of course the added benefit is that a cheap guy like me doesn't have to re-buy this music to get it on my Ipod. The day will come when I will have completed this process. Scott's dad is already waiting to get his chance to use this great gadget. Of course I am always on the look out for the next electronic toy. I'll keep you posted regarding what Santa should put in his sack for next year.

Another Monday

Here were are again. Like it or not, Monday morning is here again. Not only is it a new week, but also a new month. Man, where does the time go. It is the last week of school and our last week of of having a child in school. (Not that being 18 is still a child) Of course for parents they are always your children.

Instead of looking forward to the rest of the week or the rest of the month I think I will just get on with today. There are meetings to go to and work to do. How lucky am I?