Merry Christmas Max = PC sucks

It's been two weeks since we got a black lab puppy. My son called him Max and it stuck. Max was our main Christmas present to our kids. He is a cute puppy and we are all thrilled to have him.

It's Christmas Eve and snowing outside. I remember the days when we used to be able to say Merry Christmas to each other. Now we have to say Happy Holidays so we don't offend anyone else. Screw that. This is a Christian nation and we should be able to wish each other well with a Christian holiday expression. I don't care if you aren't a Christian. Accept the expression as a sign of good will and stop being a tool. I'm not offended if someone wishes me a happy Kwanza, Hanakuh or Hitler's birthday. Why is everyone so offended by anything someone else has to say? How does the receiver have more right to avoid hearing something than the giver does to say it? I'm not talking about hateful words or expressions, but well-wishes, usually from one stranger to another. The Bill of Rights protects the freedom of speech, not the freedom to avoid hearing. Get over yourselves you pricks. I'm sick of PC. Instead of politically correct we should be concerned with correct. What ever happened to the most good for the most people? Screw the loud, obnoxious sliver of a minority. Most good for the most people. Period.

Stuck in an elevator

I finally realized my adulthood dream by getting stuck in an elevator yesterday. I was glad that it happened as I was going to work and not leaving work. The bad part was that it only lasted for 20 minutes. I was hoping it would be 1-2 hours. For the most part it was a start to a good day. I had a lot of work to do and I was constantly interrupted, so that put me in a stressful situation. When the day was finally over I was able to relax knowing I did it all. It's been a tough month and I was pleased with what I had accomplished. Matt and I fixed my car, saving me $100, and I finished the night off with an excellent steak and lobster tail dinner. I found out Gene Jacobs died, but I will be able to attend his funeral on Saturday. Overall, it was a great day.

Monsters

It's Halloween, so I have to talk about Monsters. I had my first energy drink about 14 months ago. I went on a bender for a while there, but now I don't even drink one a week. I usually only turn to the energy in a pinch, but today is a special occasion. Rockstar is a cool name for an energy drink, because everyone secretly wants to wear leather pants and a tophat like Slash, but Monster is a superior beverage. I started with the original, or green can, then tried Assault and Khaos. Sadly, I'm not too impressed with Assault, but Khaos is excellent. When uttering the word Khaos you must lower your voice and speak in a scary tone. If you live in SLC you might have heard Darby on KBER 101.1 talk about his Chaos show. Think of it like that. If not, beat it. Khaos is a great tasting energy drink, but high in calories, so I've turned to Monster Lo-Carb. Now I like the blue better than the green. Monster also makes an M-80, which is great for July 4th. Monster just rules.

Time Stand Still

I was in high school in California when I first heard Time Stand Still by Rush. I'm not a huge Rush fan, but I really like that song. It held a strong meaning for me as I was getting ready to graduate and move on. I knew everything was going to change, and I wished I could have slowed time down to enjoy it a little longer. I still have that feeling sometimes. I heard this song on the radio over Memorial Day weekend and it brought back the memories. I should have blogged this sooner, since the weather can't decide between rain or snow. We rode Diamond Fork yesterday and it was a beautiful fall day. Now it's winter. My favorite part of the song is highlighted in red below. "Summer's going fast, nights growing colder, children growing up, old friend's growing older." After my crash and resulting injuries yesterday, I've decided growing older sucks.

Time Stand Still- Rush
I turn my back to the wind
To catch my breath
Before I start off again
Driven on without a moment to spend
To pass an evening with a drink and a friend
I let my skin get too thin
I'd like to pause
No matter what I pretend
Like some pilgrim
Who learns to transcend
Learns to live as if each step was the end
(Time stand still)
I'm not looking back
But I want to look around me now
(Time stand still)
See more of the people and the places that surround me now
Freeze this moment a little bit longer
Make each sensation a little bit stronger
Experience slips away
Experience slips away
I turn my face to the sun
Close my eyes
Let my defences down
All those wounds that I can't get unwound
I let my past go too fast
No time to pause
If I could slow it all down
Like some captain, whose ship runs aground
I can wait until the tide comes around
(Time stand still)
I'm not looking back
But I want to look around me now
(Time stand still)
See more of the people and the places that surround me now
Freeze this moment a little bit longer
Make each impression a little bit stronger
Freeze this motion a little bit longer
The innocence slips away
The innocence slips away...
Summer's going fast, nights growing colder
Children growing up, old friends growing older
Freeze this moment a little bit longer
Make each impression a little bit stronger
Experience slips away
Experience slips away...
The innocence slips away

Soccer star

I got to see my son's soccer game last week. He has scored a goal in every game. Last week he scored four goals. Today he scored four goals in the first half, and ended up with five goals. He was not impressed when he had to sit out the third quarter so other kids could play. He seems to have a natural understanding of the sport. While other kids will continue to go the wrong direction or kick the ball 30 feet out of bounds, he will align himself against the goal. He continues to run the entire game and is very driven. I told him he could play profesional soccer and help support me when I'm old. I don't mind moving to Europe. I can take one for the team.

Jello and school experiments

My oldest daughter did an egg dropping experiment in school yesterday which involved all fourth graders. They had to protect an egg that was to be dropped from the school roof. The container had to be smaller than a shoe box and could not include incendiary devices. I came up with the idea to suspend the egg in Jello after watching the pilot to The Office last week. Jim suspends Dwight's stapler in Jello as a practical joke. We filled a Lysol wipes container with Jello, let it set up, placed the egg and added a top layer of Jello. Her egg was the first to be dropped, and stuff shot out of the container, so she thought the egg broke. It was actually part of the top layer of Jello and her egg survived. Who says you can't learn from TV?

Aloha

Mr. Clark had a statue in front of the Provo house. For some reason he tore it down. Maybe she was too beautiful for the neighborhood. She found her way to Kiowa Valley and has made the rounds on birthdays. Today she ended up on my doorstep with an Aloha sign. I immediately knew Susan had a hand in it. She knows how I feel about Aloha. It's Hawaiian for "Hello, and I demand you say it back to me." I will not be compelled. I remain silent whenever I hear that foul word. Things might change if I ever make it to Hawaii, but that won't happen any time soon.

Fear killer

Today was a rough day at work. I couldn't get rid of my headache and I was dragging all day. The Monster Lo-Carb energy drink took the edge off the headache more than the pills. I jumped on my bike hoping to cause myself to throw up, thus feeling better. I never threw up, but I felt better. I rode the south single track by my house, hitting some good jumps. I came to the section that Mike Both rolled a few days ago. After about eight approaches I finally rolled it. And I lived, so I did it again. I have a policy that originated in mountain biking- if you can do it once you are lucky. If you can do it twice you can do it. I rolled it twice so I can do it. The problem with that section is that it doesn't look like you should be able to roll over it because it is so steep. It looks like a guaranteed endo, but it's stupid easy. It made me think about how many times we hold ourselves back because of how we perceive the situation. We are only born with two fears- being dropped and loud noises. Every other fear is learned, and then it's so hard to unlearn. Time to hit the books. **Picture was taken after this posting, by Agent Peck on 7/19/07**

Mike Both is glorious

Mike Both and I rode our dividing valley, then dropped in on the Eagle Mountain single track #3. We hit the jumps more consistently today. Mike saw someone ride through a difficult section last week and decided to try it. It's 2-3 feet of steep rock, and it looks like you couldn't possibly ride over it. It would be great as a jump, but it goes straight into a hard right turn. You could probably wheelie drop it and control your speed to make the turn. Riding over would be my last option, but Mike lowered his seat and did it. Twice. There is a diverging road just passed being a man. To the left is stupidity, and to the right is glory. Mike took the fork to the right. He is glorious. **This picture was taken after the posting, by Agent Peck on 7/19/07**

Never give up

When I was about 20 I was engaged in a difficult task with no sign of success. I was becoming discouraged and questioned how long I should continue without achieving any amount of success. I never answered my question. Fifteen years later I now have the answer. I probably had it before now, but recent events have brought it back in to view. You don't give up. Like all things in life I will add my disclaimer. I worked for a financial services company years ago that resembled MLM. I worked very hard to make money there, but after two years I had nothing to show for it while all around me other people rolled in the cash. I made cold calls to 100 people a day for over a week. I exhausted my contact list. After two years my licenses expired. That was my exit sign. I was discouraged because I felt like I had been kicking against the pricks. I quit that, but I didn't quit trying to build a better life for my family. Sometimes you just have to steer a new course. That is my only disclaimer. I've crashed on my bike over 30 times. I won't quit. Three broken toes and 18 stitches from Karate and I won't quit. This all came to bear when my son asked me to help him learn to ride his bike yesterday. We tried a few weeks ago and he didn't quit get it. After a few crashes he wanted to quit. I told him he would learn to ride his bike or spend the day crashing. He crashed about 10 times before he took me seriously. After every crash I pointed out that he was giving up when he tried to turn and got scared. I emphasized the importance of persistence and we tried again. Then he got it. I couldn't get him off the bike. He is still nervous about turning to the right and he needs help to start, but he can ride his bike. I explained to him that we don't quit just because something is difficult or painful. Too many people in this world give up because things aren't easy. The saddest part is when someone gives up on their dreams. I gave up on one dream. I didn't think I would have a Corvette by the time I was 35, and it came out of nowhere because it became important to someone else. I was called out several times by that person and we made it happen. I don't want to be like that again. I look forward to the time that I get a Corvette Z07. I will continue to work hard and push forward. Life will do its best to knock you down, so you get back up and hit back. Again and again until the fight is over. We don't give up just because it's the easy way out.

Fountain pen

It's been over a month, and being back at work after a vacation sucks. I took the week off after Memorial Day weekend, so being back after two good vacations really sucks. I had a conversation with Mr. Clark while in Las Vegas before we got our shave at the Art of Shaving in the Mandalay Bay shops. Fountain pens entered the conversation, and I remembered back to a time in Lucca when I used a friend's fountain pen. I thought they were cool then, and I still think so now. I have written a daily journal for over 16 years, making 52 journals so far. I thought I might like to use a fountain pen to write in my journal, but I was concerned about the quality of the ink. Mr. Clark and I recently bought ourselves fountain pens. He opted for an Acme rollerball that converts to a fountain pen. I went for the Cross ATX in blue and silver. Buyer's remorse set in because of the price, and I began to search Ebay for a better alternative. I found the same pen in red and gold, but saved $55 after shipping. I love the blue pen, but not an additional $55 worth. I returned the original pen and anxiously awaited the arrival of the red pen. It came with two ink cartridges and a converter for use with ink wells. The ink ran when I got it wet, but I knew this would probably happen, so I had anticipated using it for trivial writing. I found Noodlers ink, which is acid-free and permanent. I found a lot of black, red, green and blue ink on Ebay, then tested it. Waterproof. All four colors belong to the Bulletproof line of inks from Noodlers. I'm excited to continue writing in my journal with my new fountain pen, as well as having a nice pen to go with a nice suit and tie.

The Art of Shaving

I just returned from a nice vacation in Las Vegas. Shawn, Ben and I went to The Art of Shaving at the Mandalay Bay for a royal treatment shave. It was everything I had hoped it would be. It felt ironic to have a woman show me how to shave my face. It's good to know I have been doing in incorrectly for 20 years. I bought a shave kit with a brush, oil, shaving cream and shaving balm. Monday night was the first time I have enjoyed shaving in a long time. I remember watching my uncle mix his cream and use a brush when he shaved. I love the idea of going back to that. I plan on using it as my time to relax and be alone, blocking out the noisy world while I enjoy my masculine activity.

Hard work

I've spent the last two days painting a house in Saratoga Springs. I'm pretty much a ninja with a sprayer now. After a hard day of work it's nice to take my son for a ride in the Corvette. I don't even have to drive fast. Just a leisurely drive, knowing I can light it up at any time. My car rules.

My quote

I thought of this quote today on the way to work:

If you make a habit of taking shortcuts you will eventually get cut short.

Corvette Summer

Last Wednesday I obtained a two-tone gray 1978 25th anniversary Corvette T-top. When I was about 17 I had a goal to get a Corvette by the time I was 35. Someone close to me insisted that I work it out since I am 35. With their help I did. I have to have the exhaust system overhauled, but it is so much fun to drive. I took the top off on Thursday and Friday. T-tops rule. This will be my Summer car since rearwheel drive Corvettes don't do well in the snow. Some people have motorcycles or snowmobiles. I now have a Corvette. My kids love to ride in it. They love it when I pick them up from school.

The Corvette actually goes along with my BID list, or Before I Die list. I started making a list of things I want to do before I die. I don't want to get to the end of my life, look back and regret not doing certain things. I don't want to see a life of working too much, enjoying life too little or not spending enough time with my family. I think that is the reason I'm looking forward to spring and summer so much this year. I want to do a lot of mountain bike riding, martial arts training, and spending time with my family and "core" friends. You know who you are.

Gooseberry Mesa. And God wins.

Friday night I drove down to St. George with Mike Both and Time Shaw. We met up with Bruce, Mike, Chad, Dom, and Matt of www.utahmountainbiking.com fame. We stayed at Bruce's condo that night, then tackled Gooseberry Mesa Saturday morning. The first part of the ride was fun, until Mike Both lost his back brakes and had to return to the car for repairs. That was the only mechanical problem, and it happened early on and we recovered. I went down a few times, but I had several more near-misses. My hip was out, and Secret Train really put a strain on me. I had to walk a large section at the end of the train because the pain was sapping my strength and ability to negotiate several sections. There were a lot of sandy spots and pedaling through that only put more strain on my hip and back. Overall, Secret Trail sucked. The first part was average, so it wasn't worth the pain I endured at the end of the section. I also got cramps in both legs at the same time for the first time in my life. That wasn't fun, but Power Gel and a little stretching made the cramps go away. We then moved to Hidden Canyon, and the terrain was different and took the strain off of me. I was able to start doing wheelie drops and riding up tough sections again. Mike, Tim and I split from the group and took the North Rim trail back to the car. That section was really cool too. I felt good at the end of the ride. Secret Trail was the definite low spot of the ride. Pain aside, it still wouldn't have been fun to me if I had been in perfect health. I was worried about my fitness level on the ride, but that wasn't a factor. I rode the valley at Unity Pass with Agent Peck last week, and I had no stamina. He kicked my butt up those trails. My hip and back pain held me back, but not my heart or lungs. It was nice to get away for a short trip. It was a new trail and a change of scenery. I'm so excited for mountain bike season to be here.

I think Man has made some amazing things. I really like looking at buildings to examine the architecture. I love arches and pillars. Lincoln Memorial, David, the US Capitol, Eiffel Tower, castles, the Salt Lake Temple, and many other buildings. Then I see the things God has made, and He wins. We came to a lookout on the Gooseberry Mesa trail that was unlike anything I have every scene. I didn't have a camera, and I can't describe it, but it was so beautiful. I've had similar experiences at Moab and other parts of southern Utah. I love moutain biking because it puts me in the heart of nature. I'm surrounded by the things God created for my enjoyment. There are times when moutain biking is a spiritual experience for me. He takes my breath away.

Failed Moab trip

Agent Peck, Jeff S. and I had great aspirations for going to Moab on Friday for a mountain bike road trip, but we were defeated by the weather. I was hoping to perform drops like this picture, soaking up the sun in one of my favorite places, but the snow held us back. Agent Peck and I drank Von Dutch and played Guitar Hero 2 on my PS2. I admit that I was skeptical. It sounded like a lame karaoke video game, and I hate karaoke. I would have to be severely drunk to do that, and that will only happen if I make it to Cabo Wabo and hang out with Sammy Hagar. But the game was pretty fun. I wish Moab had worked out, but there will be plenty of time for riding this summer.

Double fortnight

It's been just over a double fortnight since I last posted anything. This picture is Fort Point under the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. I've been busy at work writing and delivering reviews. I took the family to Midway to the new Trendwest resort. That was a nice break. I discovered that I don't mind cold weather if I'm in a place that feels like it should be cold. Midway has a strong Swiss influence and it felt like a scene from the Jason Bourne trilogy. My sister had her baby two days ago. I'm hoping to see him today. I got up at 4am yesterday and today because our Charlotte office was hit with a bad storm. The drive in was nice. I started watching The Office regularly. It is hilarious. I hope the Colts win the Super Bowl. I want to see Peyton Manning get a championship. Our ward split last week so I was released as the Sunday School President. I can't wait for spring. I've got the mountain bike bug. I've done a few snow rides in the last two weeks. I took a pretty bad hit three weeks ago. My shoulder hurt the worst but healed the fastest. I had a sweet goose egg where the pedal hit my shin and I cut my knee. Worth it. We have a Moab road trip planned in a few weeks. Can't wait for that.

Ten days off

These are the things I did with my 10 days off:
Collected scrap wood 3x
Shot airsoft pistols w/ my son
Ran 1x
Played w/ my router table
Made a ruler organizer for mother-in-law
Made oven handle for Karen
Went to Cabela's 3x
Bought a jump rope and used it once
Got a new derailluer cable on my Gemini
Mountain bike snow ride 1x
Went to Big 5
Changed front brakes on the van
Visited with Lori & Briana
Helped teach Karate classes
Saddam Hussein was executed
Organized my garage shelves w/ my daughter
Shooting w/ Ben, Shawn, Brian & Brandon
Saw Rocky Balboa
Watched UFC 66- Chuck Liddell knocked out Tito Ortiz- again
Played Redsteel on the Wii
Party at Reed's house
Party at Shawn's house
Watched BSU beat Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl
Went to the chiropractor
Ate at Red Lobster
Took several naps
Exercised a lot
Wrestled w/ my kids
Watched Airwolf
Watched parts of several Bowl games
Watched parts of seven James Bond movies