MoTab and the Osmonds

Tonight was probably one of the most weird, interesting mixes of musical performance I've ever seen at the Conference Center. The Tabernacle Choir and the Osmonds had a joint performance for the Pioneer Day celebration.

Let's get one important fact out of the way... my iPhone takes hella crap pictures in any situation involving reduced lighting, so I apologize for the poor picture quality. Note to Apple: Yes, I would still be willing to buy your phone if you had tacked on another $40 to the purchase price for a few extra camera features. Now, time for some sweet, sweet forbidden pictures. (ADD moment: I'm not entirely sure if this is indeed forbidden pictures, since they only asked for no FLASH photography, and my iPhone clearly has no flash.)

Now, since my dad is in the choir I have had many opportunities to be to various MoTab performances. And I must say, this is by far the worst I have ever been to. In fact its probably the only concert I'd place in terms of "worst" - most of the time I compare the concerts in factors of how much "better" one is over the others. It is, however, also the first concert I've been to since Mack Wilberg was named the successor to Craig Jessop. I am hopeful that this is not a sign of things to come.

(No, this is not a picture from my camera, its a snapshot from the broadcast pulled from a DVR)

Not that I'm saying the performance was trash. It was very well done, but I found the song selection by the Choir to be somewhat... lacking. All of the songs performed by the Osmonds were energetic or fast paced, yet every time the Choir stepped up to the plate the songs were slow, quiet, and came off very bland. I also was a little down that this performance contained exactly zero new musical content from the Choir. I felt like they had fallen back on many of their older peices for some reason... perhaps to play it safe or to not take too much spotlight from the Osmonds. Whatever the reason, I think it backfired on them.

Never the less, I did enjoy myself and it was a great evening Downtown. I also got a great picture of the temple on my way out on this beautiful July evening.

Pioneer Day!

One hundred and sixty-one years ago, a large train of wagons pulled into the valley which would later be the home to Salt Lake City, Utah. They were the first pioneers to arrive, but certainly not the last. Their stories are of faith, of courage, and of adversity. And its to those brave men and women that we owe our way of life here in Salt Lake City.

Today we had a great family get together. I don't get to see this side of my family nearly as often as I would like, but it was wonderful to see them all. We had a barbecue featuring hamburgers topped with homemade guacamole, corn, and watermelon. It was a pretty good time.

Here is my nephew Jaxson showing off his mad swinging skills. He was actually doing a pretty good job of keeping himself going in the "flying like a bird" position.

My niece, Kiera, sporting her mullet-bowlcut hybrid. I was able to take this between the repeated demands for more pushes. Yes, I am a sucker for little girls with mullets... does anyone else find that disturbing?

This is Oliver, one of the multitude of dogs we had at our family event. His lightning fast reflexes and prowess in battle made him the ideal competitor...

... versus Marley, Destroyer of Worlds. We had to keep him tied up because, as his moniker implies, he was frequently trashing the watermelon table. We decided to pit these two ferocious beasts against each other in deadly combat for our amusement...

... Or not.

Operation Fatty Fat Fatso

So last Friday, after spending the night watching Batman and feasting on Irish pub food, ice cream, and appetizers at Applebee's ... Jeff and I came up with an amazing new initiative. We're going to get fit!

You can stop laughing now... seriously...

Perhaps its been motivated by Jeff's diabetes or my father's recently diagnosed cancer, but we've both decided we want to live past the age of 40 and have the possibility of seeing our children grow up. Crazy, I know, but I'm just sayin' that might have something to do with it.

Day 1 of the Fatty Fat Fatso campaign was Monday. Things went rather well... although I was slightly disturbed by losing about 5 pounds of water weight from a 30 minute, 3 mph walk. Yes, it was that disgusting. I'll let that vision sink in for a moment. However nothing would have prepared me for the shame I felt tonight.

Tonight, Day 3 of Operation Fatty Fat Fatso. I was doing my treadmill thing, shedding water like you would not believe, and in comes little Miss Skinny. She hops on the treadmill, cranks it up to 7 mph, goes for 20 minutes, and barely even breaks a sweat. She weighs 117 pounds (Yes, I was able to make out the details on the scale through the sweat pouring off my brow) I was baffled that she was even in there. I was thinking to myself, "Why are you here? For God's sake, go eat something!"

It then occurred to me... the only reason I'm even having to come up with Operation Fatty Fat Fatso is because I have spent the last 10 years not doing that 7mph sprint for 20 minutes a day. Ten years ago, I was 180 pounds. Monday, I was 245. Today, 240. (Did you think I was kidding about the sweating off 5 pounds of water?) That's 60 pounds over my weight 10 years ago. Its, honestly, quite depressing.

I'm going to begin tracking my weight loss starting today, in hopes of providing a solid source of inspiration and motivation. I will be taking three weight measurements per day and hopefully see a fairly constant downward trend. The main thing I need to keep in mind is that this weight got put on over the course of 10 years, its not going to come off in a month. It might take a while but I am determined to shed this damn weight before it kills me.

Public Enemy #1 is unfortunately... Dr Pepper. That's going to be the first thing I need to take out. I'll report back with updates on Operation Fatty Fat Fatso.

Beck '08: Unelectable!

8:05pm: The show just came to an end. Truly a very humorous, enlightening, entertaining experience. This is something I wish everyone could see and truly understand. I've never gone to a show where I've laughed so hard, and at the same time shed a few tears out of pride for what we as a people are.

7:45pm: Glenn just gave probably one of the best quotes I've ever heard in my life... "Our power as a nation comes from 'We the People,' and truly it doesn't even really come from there. Power comes from up there, from God, and it is then channeled into us. As long as we follow that path: From there (above), to here (ourselves), to here (the expression of our ideas) we will never go wrong."




7:08pm: ADD time. During intermission saw a couple interesting movie posters.



6:55pm: Its intermission time. This show has been seriously awesome so far. Tonight in the audience is the governor of Texas and Marcus Luttrell. (Added note for those that don't know, Marcus Luttrell is the only survivor of SEAL Team 10, the only man to survive an attack from 200 Taliban. In short, he's a true hero) Glenn's ripped on Obama and McCain pretty evenly but also touched on global warming, gun rights, and a broad range of other topics. I'm having a great time and I must say it's awesome to be around a ton of people who understand that our government is completely out of control on both the D and R sides.


One thing I've been really impressed with is the diversity of the audience. All ages. All races. And so many flipping hatemongers.. Or I'm sure that's what this is going to be billed as in some liberal blog at some point.

5:55pm: countdown is running... Aww yeeeeah! Let's get this started!


5:45pm: So here I am at Jordan Landing getting ready for Beck '08. The theater is sold out and everyone seems really excited for the show to begin. Glenn has apparently provided the premovie trivia as well. I've also learned that I can't upload photos from my phone, so I'll have to post those later.

Life's Curve Balls

I've been having a difficult time dealing with everything that's transpired in the last 7 hours. I feel compelled to write something but I'm not really sure what I should write or what really feels appropriate right now... except that life really comes at you hardcore sometimes.

For those I haven't told yet, my father called me this afternoon and informed me that he has been diagnosed with cancer. He was on his way to the hospital for some additional tests and I haven't really heard anything since then. For now I will need to be content to wait and try to deal with this revelation as best I can.

It seems odd that before this, my biggest concerns were if I was going to arrive early enough at Glenn Beck's comedy show tomorrow night to get a good seat, or if Mike was going to be able to make it to The Dark Knight on Friday. I'd been laughing at the newest Charlie the Unicorn video on YouTube and silently cursing the elderly woman who couldn't remember whether or not she'd made a $300 purchase at Rite-Aid 20 minutes before I called.

Right now all of these concerns seem so trivial and pointless. It should be good enough that I'm even getting to attend Glenn Beck's show tomorrow, and that on Friday I'll be able to enjoy some good times with my friends. My personal health should be getting more attention than Charlie the Unicorn II. I should be more patient with the 90 year old woman who has problems with her short term memory.

Just some of the many things I've thought about today while I wait for more info... its weird what all goes through your head while you contemplate these things.

In somewhat related news, this weekend is looking to be full of fun and excitement - which is probably what I need. Tomorrow night I'll be attending Beck '08: Unelectable with my wife. I've heard really good things about this comedy tour and I'm really looking forward to it. I'm going to take my first attempt at some semi-live blogging with my new iPhone... so we'll see how that goes.

Friday night I'll be heading out with the guys to The Dark Knight. It should be a good time all around. I really enjoyed the new, darker tone of Batman Begins, and I've heard this next installment carries on that tradition in grand fashion. So far, its gotten pretty outstanding reviews. I hope it lives up to the hype!

Wall-E - The Film about Evil Mankind

So yesterday after picking up my new iPhone, Heidi and I decided to catch a movie. The choice was between Kung Fu Panda and Wall-E. I've been really wanting to see both movies so we had to make a choice between the two.

Let's just say I wish I had THAT choice to make again.

I'm not really sure what to say about this film, other than if you can get past the "Mankind is evil, lazy, and bad for the Earth and we're not going to do anything about it until Earth is a giant trash-filled dustball" undertone being shoved down your throat during the entire film, you will probably enjoy it.

My wife could get past that. I, however, could not. I tried, I really did. But just as soon as I was past it, Pixar slammed it on me again. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought the consequences of our 'inaction' on Global Climate Change was supposed to make us all die in floods? Apparently floods aren't scary enough anymore, so the message has been changed to barren wastelands with no vegetation of any kind, 300mph windstorms ON LAND, and hardly any water of any kind on the surface.

Also, don't you think about 90% of that trash would have decomposed or rusted away in 730 years?

Don't get me wrong, I understand that this is a cartoon and its not "supposed" to be a political message... but I just couldn't get past it. Sad to say, this will probably be the only Pixar movie I don't buy.

One of Those People

So I've taken the plunge. I've now become one of THOSE people... today I took the plunge, stood in line, stood in another line, then at long last got my hands on a new iPhone 3G. This post is coming to you directly from the new phone. I must say that I am very impressed by the capabilities of this device.

So far I've used the Internet, maps, and gps feature. The typing is taking a little getting used to but other than that I have been very happy with it. I'll be posting more later on.

Sweet Redemption

So, a story today provided me with some much needed vindication in my life. I'm not one who typically remains bitter, but four years ago I lost a very good job due largely in part to IndymacBank. I was a Senior Help Desk tech at the time and the contact I was working on was for them, however my career was quickly cut short due to objections I raised about how they were wanting our company to bill them.

The methods they were asking us to use were definitely gray area, if not downright fraudulent. When I objected and continued to bill their company the proper way, the way we were under contract to bill them, I was quickly put on the proverbial shit-list and dismissed from the company shortly after.

Therefore, I take complete and total satisfaction in the knowledge that IndymacBank, effective today, has been closed and completely shut down by the FDIC's Office of Thrift Supervision. The FDIC will be taking over their accounts, however the balances of most deposit accounts will be trimmed to a max of $100,000 as a result.

While I feel badly for the customers who lost money, and the many employees who's jobs were eliminated as a result, there is some small part of me that feels this company deserved exactly what they got. I've also learned that Indymac was heavily involved in one of the most disasterous segments of the mortgage market, as reported by CNN:

Over the past two years, IndyMac has dropped over 95% in stock price, or about $3.5 billion in market capitalization. Shares traded down nearly 10% on Friday to close at 28 cents.

IndyMac lost $184.2 million in the first quarter and announced on Monday that it was expecting a wider loss for the second quarter. It lost $614 million last year stemming from its focus on the Alt-A mortgage sector, where it originates loans to borrowers who fall between prime (or conforming) and sub-prime on the credit spectrum. The lender's chief executive, Michael Perry, had long argued that it was being unfairly punished given its relatively paltry exposure to sub-prime mortgages.

Rising Alt-A and prime mortgage delinquencies likely were enough indication for investors, however, that the housing crisis had moved beyond the weakest borrowers. Even worse, with the securitization markets in collapse, IndyMac has no way to get new loans off its books. As it turns out, IndyMac was a leader in loans requiring little income and asset documentation, a category that has had disastrous levels of delinquencies at other troubled lenders.

As I read this, I couldn't help but think "none of this suprises me in the slightest." Good riddens, Indymac.

Pat's Barbecue

So tonight we were in the mood for the unknown. Well, I should say for the slightly unknown... we knew we wanted barbecue but we didn't know where - and oddly enough its hard to find really good barbecue in Utah. Perhaps our standards are just too high?

After doing some digging for a hidden restaurant gem, Kerry and I stumbled across Pat's Barbecue just off of 21st South. If you're thinking to yourself, "This place looks like a total hole in the wall," well that's because it is. This restaurant has been open almost as long as I have been alive, yet I never knew it even existed.

I got what they call the Three Meat Combo, a dish that would surely make any animal rights activist weep huge giant tears. It came in at $13 and was easily... EASILY... two or three total pounds of meat plus a side dish of your choice. This was true Southern Style barbecue, in that the meat is cooked pure with no sauces and very little seasoning. You then apply your sauce after its completely done.

The sauces come in two varieties, mild and hot. The mild is really quite good. The hot has enough kick to knock you off of your seat but still very full of flavor. I was incredibly impressed with the overall quality of the meal... especially given the restaurant's appearance. But as Kerry reminded me, most hole-in-the-wall restaurants are some of the best food you will find. I'm definitely going back to this place!

I also came across this gem in the hallway. I'm trying to convince Heidi to let me get one for the computer room.

This is what Johnny Cash thinks of YOUR weak-ass barbecue! Awww yeeeeah!

Celebrate Independence Day

The tale of our Independence Day celebration continues. In addition to attending the very hot book signing of Glenn Beck, we had a very nice barbecue over with our friends. Thanks go out to my parents for letting all of us raid their home and pool in our pursuit of joy and happiness!

First it was time to hit the pool. It was a huge hit with all the adults since the temperatures were over 100 degrees for probably the majority of the day. A fair amount of cloud cover made for some great swim time, however the kids for the most part weren't too fond of the pool. It might have had something to do with the water being 65 degrees... but Kerek the Fearless braved the waters and conquered the mighty inflatable lobster! He loved it even though you could obviously tell he was freezing.

Here's a picture of the three troublemakers: Jack, Kian, and Kerek. Jack was constantly all smiles when the camera came out. Kristen says its because he's a ham for the camera.

Took a closer one of Jack to send to Kristen. He started saying cheese right away as soon as he figured out the camera lens was on him.

Due to the rising expense of fireworks our display wasn't as impressive as in previous years. But as I said to Jeff its starting to become more about the kids than it is about the adults. I found a lot more joy to be had in the expressions and the laughs of the children than I did due to my own personal enjoyment. My only regret is that they are still too young to understand the meaning behind this great holiday. Maybe next year Kian will understand it more.

Our first casualties of the evening. They played hard all night and we all had a great time. We the adults listened to a great story about Paul Revere and his ride to Concord. It was a great reminder of what this holiday and what our nation is all about.

My Five Seconds with Glenn Beck

Yesterday was probably one of the more active Independence Days I've ever spent in my adult years. I'd been hearing for about a week now that Glenn Beck was going to be in Orem on the 4th for a book signing. Having never been to a book signing before, and of course never having met Glenn Beck, I decided even though it would cost me almost $20 in gas to get there it was just too good of an opportunity to pass up.

Wife and book in tow, we went down to Orem to meet the man we listen to every afternoon. It was a really interesting experience... and there were TONS of people there. When he came in he gave a short introduction and talked about how awesome Utah is and how we celebrate the Fourth of July here. After that, it was time for mass signatures!

My dear wife failed in epic proportions in getting a picture with Glenn signing my actual book. So I had to go back in and take pictures. It seemed like everyone that came through got to experience the "Five Seconds with Glenn Beck." There were so many people that they didn't let us pose for pictures. You went up, he shook your hand, thanked you for coming, and wished you a happy Independence Day. Wham!! Bam!!

I did manage to get in a "Thank you for everything you do for our country" before I was moved along. He smiled and said "Its my honor." What an awesome guy.

And I did get my book signed. Mission accomplished! More on our Independence Day after I go through the pictures!

Stories of America - "God Bless America"

One of the things that I really love about the Glenn Beck Program is the positive focus it puts on America and our history. Often times Glenn will pull a story from history that is just so powerful it will almost move you to tears - sometimes it actually does.

Today's show did just that. He told the story behind the song "God Bless America." I'm sure everyone has heard it... you probably hear it several times around the Fourth of July. But how many of us know the story... the true story behind that song?

Now, I can say I do. And I want to share it with you. Here's the story as told by Glenn on today's program.

The first time, the first time it was heard was in 1938, and storm clouds were gathering again and a woman who I think sounds strangely like a man sang it. You've heard this version a million times.

What you probably don't know about this song is that it was first heard by Americans in 1938 but it was actually written 20 years before. It was written after World War I. It was written by Irving Berlin. He wrote it for a play called Yip Yip Yaphank, which is a super, super classic that I wish I could see again. He felt the song was inspired and came from God but because of that, maybe it wasn't appropriate for Yip Yip Yaphank. But he also had a problem with the song. So he put it in a drawer and there that song sat for 20 years until Kate Smith.

Kate Smith, she walked into Irving Berlin's home and she said the anniversary of Armistice Day which was the end of World War I, was coming up. And they all sensed that World War II was right around the corner. Nobody would know it better than Irving Berlin. He was a young Jewish man who lived in Siberia. He immigrated here to the United States. He loved the country. He was an immigrant.

She said, "Irving, I need a song. World War I was over and that was the war that was supposed to end all words and now, Irving, you feel it and I feel it. War is coming again and great evil is gathering on the shores of Europe." She said, "I need a song. I need a song. I want to sing it for the anniversary of Armistice Day, she said, but I want something that will convince America that America's going to be okay. It doesn't matter if war is coming. It doesn't matter if Hitler is coming." He said, "Kate, I don't really have anything like that." She said, "Come on, Irving." He thought back. He said, "You know, I wrote a song about 20 years ago. I don't know." He said, "I don't feel comfortable with it." She said, "Why not?" He said, "It's not right. I don't have it down yet." And he said, "The lyrics are more of a prayer than anything else." And he said, "As I wrote it, I just -- Kate, I don't think it's right." He went into the drawer and he dug it out. It was at the bottom of everything. He dug it out and she looked at it. She could sight read. He didn't need to play it on the piano. She read the lyrics and hummed it to herself. She said, this is perfect.

He looked at her and said, "It's boastful. It assumes that America is blessed and that God continues to bless it." Kate Smith looked at Irving Berlin and said, "Irving, it is, he does, I'm singing it." He reluctantly gave it to her but on an understanding. He said, "Kate, I can't take money for this song." She said, "Irving, but who's going to get the rights because I'm telling you right now this is going to be a huge hit. Everybody in the country is going to want a copy of this song. Who do you want the money to go to?" He said, "It was inspired by God. I can't take money for it." He said, "You know what? I know who to give the money to. If this thing does sell, I know who to give the money to."

Well, she sang it. It didn't just sell. Within a week it was sold out in copies all across the country. People were going into music stores and buying the sheet music. They were buying anything they could get for "God Bless America." It has sold and sold and sold and sold.

So who got the money? Well, let me play this and enhance the resources of the Boy Scouts of America.

It's amazing that a young Jewish man from Siberia wrote such a powerful song. Well, it's amazing to some people. I don't find it that amazing when people fall in love with America, when people come to America. It's because of her promise. It's because we understand that it's not today that we're living for. It's not the promise of yesterday. It's the promise of a brighter tomorrow that makes America so great. And that promise for a brighter tomorrow is not for money. It's that people, when they come here, can see and believe that they can become anything, that they can do incredible things, even if they want to keep those incredible things in a drawer for 20 years.