It has been weighing on me all week long. Which is the right decision to make? Both are important things that I should be aware of and that impact my future greatly (ok maybe one more than the other). But the point is that both are unique and important events in my life.
I'll give you a gold star if you can guess what I'm talking about.
No?
Well, this Thursday night plays host to two very important events: the Vice Presidential Debate, and the Utah vs. Oregon State football game.
I can't decide which one to watch. It is such a hard decision. (I guess I need to address another problem. About 3 weeks ago, Alex took our remote to the tv and we can't find it. So in order to watch both events, I would have to give up the comfort of being a couch potato and be a standing potato)
What's your advice? Which should I watch?
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Saturday, September 27, 2008
The First Presidential Debate
Well, McCain showed up; at least, he showed up about 40 minutes into the debate. The first portion of the debate, it seemed that McCain was a little off on his responses and not very confident in his ability to articulate his ideas to the American public. Perhaps it was nerves, or perhaps it was just the fact that he doesn't have a clue when it comes to the economy. Admittedly, McCain got much better when the topic turned to foreign relations and the war in Iraq.
Obama, was generally more calm and collected and rebutted almost every accusation laid against him. However, in talking about Iraq and Afghanistan, it seemed that he was backpeddling a little bit. Maybe that was just McCain's repeated attacks about Obama's opposition to the surge, but after that portion, McCain kept bringing that point back up so Obama had to, repeatedly, respond. The more he responded, the more he got twisted up in his words. (Bytheway, the same thing happened between McCain and Romney during the Primary debate in CA). But if that was a low point for Obama, it was one of the few. Obama really held his own against McCain, particularly on national security issues. Sure he cited Biden's expertise in foreign relations, but not as much as McCain cited Palin's ability to lead.
So who won? I think the answer is... who cares? The only people who care about who "won" the debate are political analysts and each of the campaigns (oh yeah, and anyone who's taken a debate class). But for the average American, I don't think we really care who won or who lost. We got a chance to see our preferred candidate take on the other one and defend his position and offer suggestions on how to succeed in foreign affairs. Americans also got a chance to hear from their non-preferred candidate and listen to them discuss which approach to America's problem is better. I think the group that had the hardest time last night was the fence-sitting non-committal voter (like myself) who is still trying to decide who to vote for. Both sides had their moments in the sun and at times, did a great job illustrating their platforms, which are quite different. Yet, at the same time, I think the weaknesses in each campaign were brought to light (not to mention exploited by their opponent). But it was good to get to know better, through contrast, the philosophies of each candidate. I'm looking forward to the next debate so I can learn more from the candidates. I want to be able to go in with confidence to that voting booth in 38 days knowing that the man for whom I vote will be able to lead this country, and that requires making a decision. (Of course, when I make a decision, I'll blog about it so you can argue with me about my decision.)
Obama, was generally more calm and collected and rebutted almost every accusation laid against him. However, in talking about Iraq and Afghanistan, it seemed that he was backpeddling a little bit. Maybe that was just McCain's repeated attacks about Obama's opposition to the surge, but after that portion, McCain kept bringing that point back up so Obama had to, repeatedly, respond. The more he responded, the more he got twisted up in his words. (Bytheway, the same thing happened between McCain and Romney during the Primary debate in CA). But if that was a low point for Obama, it was one of the few. Obama really held his own against McCain, particularly on national security issues. Sure he cited Biden's expertise in foreign relations, but not as much as McCain cited Palin's ability to lead.
So who won? I think the answer is... who cares? The only people who care about who "won" the debate are political analysts and each of the campaigns (oh yeah, and anyone who's taken a debate class). But for the average American, I don't think we really care who won or who lost. We got a chance to see our preferred candidate take on the other one and defend his position and offer suggestions on how to succeed in foreign affairs. Americans also got a chance to hear from their non-preferred candidate and listen to them discuss which approach to America's problem is better. I think the group that had the hardest time last night was the fence-sitting non-committal voter (like myself) who is still trying to decide who to vote for. Both sides had their moments in the sun and at times, did a great job illustrating their platforms, which are quite different. Yet, at the same time, I think the weaknesses in each campaign were brought to light (not to mention exploited by their opponent). But it was good to get to know better, through contrast, the philosophies of each candidate. I'm looking forward to the next debate so I can learn more from the candidates. I want to be able to go in with confidence to that voting booth in 38 days knowing that the man for whom I vote will be able to lead this country, and that requires making a decision. (Of course, when I make a decision, I'll blog about it so you can argue with me about my decision.)
Thursday, September 25, 2008
The Utes go Black
I just read this article in the Trib and was amazed that the University of Utah would consider going from the traditional white and red uniforms to a black uniform (supposedly). They are supposed to debut the black uniforms at the TCU game on Nov 6th. I guess I'll wait to pass judgment until I see it.
On another note, I have been really impressed with the new look that Under Armour has given the Utes this year. I'll watch for the shine from the helmets during the Weber State game this Saturday.
On another note, I have been really impressed with the new look that Under Armour has given the Utes this year. I'll watch for the shine from the helmets during the Weber State game this Saturday.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Moral Agency: A Literary Discussion
So Shiree's cousin is a literary genuis and I've recently taken to blog-stalking and commenting occassionally on his posts (which are really more like essays). Anyway, about a month ago, he posted about "free will versus fate" in literature, particularly the Twilight series. Having never read them, I based my comments on Harry Potter, that wonderful wizard from Little Whinging. Here is the original topic from Twilight and Here is the first installment in his posts about moral agency in literature.
Here is the second part of this series and is an opposing viewpoint to the first post post on the subject. The following is my response, which was intended as just a comment, but kept getting longer and longer so I decided to post it here. I hope that Tyler doesn't mind me citing his blog, which is really a well-written collection of literary genius.
Similarly, one cannot serve God and Mammon. If one tries to serve both, he is fragmented or incomplete. Thus John’s description (Revelation 3:16) of those who are lukewarm being “spe[wed]” forth. Inevitably, a choice must be made. In the view presented here, it is not a choice between two roads but a choice between letting go of the past while forging into the future and clinging to the past, as those dependent wanderers seen by Lehi in his vision of another path (1 Nephi 8:24)
Can we not all look to our past and try to relive it? How many people dream of yesteryears with longing for “the good ole’ days” when times were “easier.” (Helaman 7:7-8) But in reality, the reason times were easier in the past is because they are over. Hindsight is always 20/20. Frosts’ traveler views the road with the bent undergrowth with longing to return (“Oh, I kept the first for another day!”) as do we all. But the supreme point in all of this is that no matter if there is 1 road, 2 roads, or 50 roads, one option that will always be before any traveler is to do nothing. The traveler had the capacity to sit and do nothing. Once he makes that choice, of course, there are consequences. Doing nothing may bring the possibility of facing the oncoming winter storm and possibly death, but that is the consequence of the choice of doing nothing.
Coming from the past, the traveler sees the road behind him as “bent in the undergrowth” and sees the path before him as “just as fair.” But through it all, the traveler retains the ability to choose which direction to go. Once he makes that choice, the consequence is assigned (or you might even say “destined”). By following the path to which that choice and consequence lead will ultimately lead to another choice; but the latter choice is wholly dependent upon the initial choice. Consider the example of a girl and a boy becoming sexually active prematurely. That is a choice which they have every ability to make. Then, as a result of that choice, comes another set of choices which may include pregnancy, adoption, abortion, marriage, STD’s, etc. However, what if the two young people had never made the choice to become sexually active prematurely? Their consequences (or “destinies”) would be vastly different. Thus our path is not an “unseen, irrational force” but a necessary byproduct of the choices we have made in the past. Even if we can see no further back than the “ben[d] in the undergrowth,” the path still exists beyond it and still affects (or affected depending on your temporal understanding) the current path. From an LDS perspective, the condition of those who “kept not their first estate” is vastly different than those who did keep their first estate.
Perhaps my limited exposure to intellectualized literature hampers my understanding because it seems that the author can create any kind of a literary world s/he wants. But I cannot understand a world in which choice is removed from even a made-up character’s ability. To be destined is merely the passive acceptance (or choice) to allow someone or something else to rule you. Permitting destiny to rule you is to be acted upon and not to act. How can a character (made-up or real) achieve the measure of their creation (or even imagination) while sitting in the proverbial back seat on their journey towards self-actualization/completeness/perfection?
Here is the second part of this series and is an opposing viewpoint to the first post post on the subject. The following is my response, which was intended as just a comment, but kept getting longer and longer so I decided to post it here. I hope that Tyler doesn't mind me citing his blog, which is really a well-written collection of literary genius.
“One certainly can’t live in the
past and ‘be one traveler,’ for by so striving their present will be out of
harmony: they’ll live in opposition to themselves and to nature, falling into
cross-purposes with fate’s indifferent design, resulting in a diverse array of
psychological incongruities.”
Similarly, one cannot serve God and Mammon. If one tries to serve both, he is fragmented or incomplete. Thus John’s description (Revelation 3:16) of those who are lukewarm being “spe[wed]” forth. Inevitably, a choice must be made. In the view presented here, it is not a choice between two roads but a choice between letting go of the past while forging into the future and clinging to the past, as those dependent wanderers seen by Lehi in his vision of another path (1 Nephi 8:24)
"This establishes the idea that the
past, the present, and the future, rather than laying down different paths, are
fixed in a continuous chain, ordered, to employ a Biblical term, 'from the
beginning' by an unseen, irrational force characterized in the poem by nature,
whose influence, as the falling leaves, covers all. In this light, the only
clear 'choice' for Frost’s wanderer is to move forward on the one road before
him, his past irrevocably leading to his present, forever leading to his
future."
Can we not all look to our past and try to relive it? How many people dream of yesteryears with longing for “the good ole’ days” when times were “easier.” (Helaman 7:7-8) But in reality, the reason times were easier in the past is because they are over. Hindsight is always 20/20. Frosts’ traveler views the road with the bent undergrowth with longing to return (“Oh, I kept the first for another day!”) as do we all. But the supreme point in all of this is that no matter if there is 1 road, 2 roads, or 50 roads, one option that will always be before any traveler is to do nothing. The traveler had the capacity to sit and do nothing. Once he makes that choice, of course, there are consequences. Doing nothing may bring the possibility of facing the oncoming winter storm and possibly death, but that is the consequence of the choice of doing nothing.
Coming from the past, the traveler sees the road behind him as “bent in the undergrowth” and sees the path before him as “just as fair.” But through it all, the traveler retains the ability to choose which direction to go. Once he makes that choice, the consequence is assigned (or you might even say “destined”). By following the path to which that choice and consequence lead will ultimately lead to another choice; but the latter choice is wholly dependent upon the initial choice. Consider the example of a girl and a boy becoming sexually active prematurely. That is a choice which they have every ability to make. Then, as a result of that choice, comes another set of choices which may include pregnancy, adoption, abortion, marriage, STD’s, etc. However, what if the two young people had never made the choice to become sexually active prematurely? Their consequences (or “destinies”) would be vastly different. Thus our path is not an “unseen, irrational force” but a necessary byproduct of the choices we have made in the past. Even if we can see no further back than the “ben[d] in the undergrowth,” the path still exists beyond it and still affects (or affected depending on your temporal understanding) the current path. From an LDS perspective, the condition of those who “kept not their first estate” is vastly different than those who did keep their first estate.
Perhaps my limited exposure to intellectualized literature hampers my understanding because it seems that the author can create any kind of a literary world s/he wants. But I cannot understand a world in which choice is removed from even a made-up character’s ability. To be destined is merely the passive acceptance (or choice) to allow someone or something else to rule you. Permitting destiny to rule you is to be acted upon and not to act. How can a character (made-up or real) achieve the measure of their creation (or even imagination) while sitting in the proverbial back seat on their journey towards self-actualization/completeness/perfection?
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Where were you on 9/11?
I had remembered all week that September 11th was a Thursday this year. But when I woke up this morning, I hadn't realized it was September 11th until I checked my work email and got an email letter sent by the White House asking all citizens to remember that fateful morning 7 years ago. The letter also said that there would be a moment of silence held that morning at 8:47am eastern. Since I missed it, I had my own moment right there in my office.
I remembered exactly where I was standing when I heard the news and how I had watched the towers fall a little while later. I was on my mission in Chile. We were told to stay inside for the rest of the day and one of the missionaries who lived in our apartment got a phone call from the Mission President telling him that his family (who lived in Pennsylvania) had called and they were okay. I can still remember those feelings I had. Being a missionary I didn't realize the gravity of the situation until I returned home in 2002.
Now it's 2008 and I realized something else during my moment of silence. That my two children weren't alive when that happened. They don't know what life was like before 9/11. I then realized it is my responsibility to teach them about patriotism and honor and American History. It's my responsibility to teach them about true heroism and courage. We are a nation like no other in the history of the world. I once heard a four star general from the United States Military explain that America's chief export is freedom and democracy. I am proud to live in a country where we defend our freedom "in memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives [and our husbands], and our children" and I can't wait to teach my children that.
God Bless America!
I remembered exactly where I was standing when I heard the news and how I had watched the towers fall a little while later. I was on my mission in Chile. We were told to stay inside for the rest of the day and one of the missionaries who lived in our apartment got a phone call from the Mission President telling him that his family (who lived in Pennsylvania) had called and they were okay. I can still remember those feelings I had. Being a missionary I didn't realize the gravity of the situation until I returned home in 2002.
Now it's 2008 and I realized something else during my moment of silence. That my two children weren't alive when that happened. They don't know what life was like before 9/11. I then realized it is my responsibility to teach them about patriotism and honor and American History. It's my responsibility to teach them about true heroism and courage. We are a nation like no other in the history of the world. I once heard a four star general from the United States Military explain that America's chief export is freedom and democracy. I am proud to live in a country where we defend our freedom "in memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives [and our husbands], and our children" and I can't wait to teach my children that.
God Bless America!
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Friends and Followers: A few Technological Idiosyncracies
So my wife signed up for Facebook a few weeks ago. Since then she has made so many "friends." It's amazing that once you put your internet profile out on the world wide web everybody wants to be your "friend." What is most fascinating is that even though Shiree can broadcast to the world on Facebook that she is "married," she can't explain who she is married to unless I sign up on Facebook. I refuse to do so more on principle than anything. It's just funny that in order to explain who you truly are, you must go through a predetermined system that really isn't "one size fits all."
The other fun thing that I've found on blogger is that now I can have "followers." It's always been interesting to see why people "follow" something (religion, actors, sports teams, etc). I guess the same rules apply to "following" a blog. My guess is that it's more of a visible form of blog stalking. However, I'm new to the whole blogging scene, so correct if I'm wrong.
The other fun thing that I've found on blogger is that now I can have "followers." It's always been interesting to see why people "follow" something (religion, actors, sports teams, etc). I guess the same rules apply to "following" a blog. My guess is that it's more of a visible form of blog stalking. However, I'm new to the whole blogging scene, so correct if I'm wrong.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Proud of my Family
I just wanted to take a minute and tell you how proud I am of my family. I realize that pride is a sin, but let me indulge for just a moment and tell you how sinfully proud I am of my wonderfully awesome family!Jocelyn Beth
I have the cutest little girl in the whole wide world who loves to smile and laugh and giggle. Her newest trick has been scooting around the floor after the shiny things (most of which she shouldn't be playing with). She is a lot more cuddly than Alex ever was, and it is just so nice to sit down with her and cuddle with her and have her just play. She is also a great eater (like her Dad). I really like sitting down with her and feeding her her lunch or dinner. I am a little worried that I'm not going to be very nice to any of her boyfriends. That's something I have to work on (and I have 18 years to do it)
Alex Jon
My son is the coolest! We had to order a new crib because the old one was potentially lethal for children (Jardine is cheap, but apparently low quality). Anyway, we got our new crib with the refund voucher from the old one and it arrived in the mail last week. So of course, as the resident handyman in the house, Alex decided to put it together: I helped him, of course. It was a lot of fun to put up a crib with my son. The last time we set it up, he was (obviously) too small so it was just 
me and Shiree. But this time, Alex wanted to be right in the middle of it all. Sometimes it was literally in the middle of it all (and in the way) but most of the time he was very helpful and sometimes even predicted my needs. He would bring me screws before I even asked for them (though I think it was due more to the fact that he enjoyed playing with the screws than due to his carpentry expertise). It was a lot of fun to be able to work side by side with my little boy. Now I realize why my Dad enjoyed it so much to have us help him.
My son is the coolest! We had to order a new crib because the old one was potentially lethal for children (Jardine is cheap, but apparently low quality). Anyway, we got our new crib with the refund voucher from the old one and it arrived in the mail last week. So of course, as the resident handyman in the house, Alex decided to put it together: I helped him, of course. It was a lot of fun to put up a crib with my son. The last time we set it up, he was (obviously) too small so it was just 
me and Shiree. But this time, Alex wanted to be right in the middle of it all. Sometimes it was literally in the middle of it all (and in the way) but most of the time he was very helpful and sometimes even predicted my needs. He would bring me screws before I even asked for them (though I think it was due more to the fact that he enjoyed playing with the screws than due to his carpentry expertise). It was a lot of fun to be able to work side by side with my little boy. Now I realize why my Dad enjoyed it so much to have us help him.Shiree "Cuddlewumpkins"
I love my wife!! We celebrated our 4 year anniversary this past July and have just absolutely enjoyed these first 4 years of marriage. Of course there have been tough times in every possible way; but, the only reason I was able to get through them is because I married such a wonderful woman! With me having busy days at school and work pretty steadily for the past 3 years, I realized how much Shiree does for me. She takes such good care of me that sometimes I feel undeserving. So I try to think of ways to repay her. Recently, I was able to find one. It's always hard to be at home with kids all day long and have only the conversation of a 2-year old and the giggling of an 8-month old for company. So Shiree mentioned that there was this choir at the Institute that was available for not just Institute students. Unfortunately, she told me about this choir after the auditions were over. I told her she should audition anyway. So she sent an email to the director asking for an audition. After not having heard back from him for about 4 days, I went to the Institute to talk to the choir director. He was very open to having her audition after I told him how awesome she is and how much he needs her in his choir. So he called her and they set up an audition. I knew all along she was going to make it in; she is an awesome singer! She made the choir and had her first practice that afternoon. She was really happy! I was happy for her. I knew that she would enjoy it and I'm glad that I was able to help her as she has helped me so much throughout our marriage. (I Love You Pookie!! xoxoxoxo)
So, thanks for reading all about my awesome family! I can honestly say that I have never been more proud of anything else in my life! (though that one time when I won the contest for fitting 
the most marshmellows in my mouth in junior high school, that was pretty cool.....but my family is a lot cooler than jumbo marshmellows)
the most marshmellows in my mouth in junior high school, that was pretty cool.....but my family is a lot cooler than jumbo marshmellows)Here's to the rest of eternity!!
Friday, September 5, 2008
Palin for President
In watching John McCain's acceptance speech last night at the RNC, I was a little confused. The first part (after the congratulatory and gratitude remarks) he spent at least 5-7 minutes talking about Gov. Sarah Palin. For a moment it sounded like she was the presidential candidate. McCain made a big deal about her qualifications over Obama and the Democrats. I thought that the presidential race was McCain v. Obama, but it sounded like it was Obama v. Palin.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/09/04/rnc.speeches/index.html
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/09/04/rnc.speeches/index.html
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