Monday, March 31, 2008

Oh Danny Boy


The story is told of the Irish father taking his son to the railway station to go off to war. He is an older father and some say that he had lost all of his other sons to this same conflict. As the other fathers wept and kissed their boys goodbye he could not, for he was not of that sort. He watched the train leave and on his way home the grief of saying goodbye to another son was too much. He recognized the loss and the ignorance of not being able to tell his boy he loved him. Some say Oh, Danny Boy are the words he penned to atone for his inability to express his love for a son he may never see again.

Thursday, March 27, 2008

Triple F Meeting Report-Lions and Tigers and Conscious Eating, Oh my!


The Fabulous Fitness Forum met Wednesday evening and enjoyed the second episode of "I Can Make You Thin."




Pretty wild stuff. Those who have had a chance to try it say that it works. Time will tell.


The number one item of discussion was conscious eating. Comments include:


"It's not going to be as easy as it sounds."


"It's tough to put the fork down."


"I have to change my life routine."


"So...reading the paper at lunch and watching the tv while snacking are out for me. Boy is that a change. "


So here's a consensus of thought from last night:


1. I get full faster than I thought.

2. I can eat anything I want but I am becoming more discriminating about what I put in my mouth.

3. Last night I had pizza from Costco. Normally I would eat at least four pieces--two of my favorites, one of the odd one (normally Hawaiian) that Diane would get because I would worry that the poor pizza would feel rejected if I didn't have a slice and then back to my favorite for dessert. I knew that I would be full well before four slices so didn't complain when Diane only brought two. I was full with one. I felt a little hunger come on later but had a cold beverage and I was full again.

4. I've been cheating in the evening by having an herbal tea with a chocolate covered biscotti. I eat it upstairs with my sweetheart while we watch TV. I haven't felt guilty because it's only one and I can't just mindlessly eat once it's gone. Still, it violates the four golden rules. Last night I was fully intending to continue this habit but after applying the principles to help avoid emotional eathing I lost the desire. Hmm.

5. Anyone beside me go to the movies with a big tub of popcorn and become surprised that's it's all gone in the first 30 minutes? Talk about mindless eating.

6. I stayed up for 45 minutes after Diane. This is my usual "grazing" time. This time however I wasn't interested in sitting in front of the TV and eating. Instead I purged a file box that I've had since 1991. It seems that with the change of habit of eating at the table and putting my fork down between bites that I'm not as interested in the TV.

7. Back to the pizza. Conscious eating means that you begin to take more interest in the flavors of the food. Last night the slightly charred pepperoni on the pizza tasted rather bitter. It was not delicious at all. What a waste. Pizza is not as appealing as it once was.


So, I'm becoming more discerning about my activites because the food isn't there to distract me from the silliness of my entertainment choices and I'm more discerning in my food selection because I'm not distracted from the taste. The result is I'm more productive and losing weight.


I wonder if I will be able to keep it up? That really is the test. Stay tuned.

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Ah Music!

And now my blog is complete!

Many thanks to Chris Pierce for steering me to the right source to help me fill this void.

Many thanks to Rebecca for being the right source.

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

How important is sleep?


High Blood Pressure

Diminished cognitive processes

Acid Reflux Disease

Diabetes

Obesity

Increased dental disease

Weariness

Sleepiness

Fatal Car Crashes


are all conditions associated with "Sleep Disturbance Disorder". Sleep Apnea is just one of the problems.


"60 Minutes" did a very fine presentation on the importance of sleep and "sleep disturbance disorders".


http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/60minutes/main3415.shtml click on more videos to access the report.


Saturday, March 22, 2008

Next Fabulous Fitness Forum Meeting March 26th Wednesday at 7:30pm

Our first Triple F occured this morning and was wildly successful. We discussed "I Can Make You Thin" by Paul McKenna on The Discovery Channel. We covered the four golden rules to weight control. The show can be seen on TLC (Discovery) on Sunday evenings. There are five episodes and we're going to explore the science behind Mr. McKenna's claims.

His Golden Rules so far are:

1. When you're hungry, eat.

2. Eat what you like.

3. Consciously eat.

4. Stop when you're full.

He expands on these principles on the show and so far they pass the test of credibility. The next show is on Emotional Eating. We'll watch it together at the next FFF meeting next Wednesday, March 26th, evening at 7:30pm at my house. If anyone wants to see the first episode give me a call.

Friday, March 21, 2008

Childhood Trauma

I was reflecting today on childhood traumas. The most striking was of course the "Farmer in the Dell." This demonic exercise devised no doubt from the netherworld was fraught with pain. It begins with the Saddam like tyrant that we all referred to as "The Teacher".

(Note: my apologies to the little girls who remember these experiences with great joy and went on the emulate "The Teacher" as their model of womanhood but who, for little boys, became the object of pain and anguish--particularly in eighth grade--but that is a blog for another day).

"The Teacher" arbitrarily selects one to become "The Farmer". Total power and control. They and they alone will pick "The Wife". The children, hand in hand (and don't think that's not traumatic for a little boy) parade around the "The Farmer" chanting the mantra that we are all so familiar with-"The farmer in the dell, the farmer in the dell...." Then comes the time to choose. The music stops. The children freeze in anticipation. "The Farmer" hesitates, drawing out his control of the world. Nothing can happen until "The Farmer" chooses. Then finally "The Wife" is selected. If "The Farmer" selects a girl then he is exposing himself to ridicule by his fellow larvae. If he selects a boy then he is safe but the little boy becomes marked for life as "The Wife". This may be the cause of same gender attraction. Hmm?

So the scarring begins. Next we move through the phylogenic order--"The Child", "The Dog", "The Cat", "The Mouse", until we come to the end of the pecking order. The least of these my brethren. "The Cheese." As a fitting punishment for this dreg of society he is shunned and abandoned, for indeed, "The Cheese" stands alone. But there is a glimmer of hope. If there is a next round then "The Cheese" becomes "The Farmer" and regains all that was lost and becomes omnipotent. Like the Phoenix rising from the ashes "The Cheese" may become the master of his destiny. But there is an obstacle, "The Teacher."

Please note that "The Cheese" is always a boy. Is this because in the 1950's all farmers were, indeed, men or was it that the teachers were all women and took this opportunity to exercise retribution on the male population that was now under their total control? Yeah.....both.


"The Cheese" looks desperately at the clock to see how much time is left in play time, but remembers, in anguish, that he can't tell time for he is in kindergarten and has yet to be given the paper plate, paper fastener and two clock hands that would give him the power of time.

Instead he focuses on "The Teacher" pleading in his little boy's heart, "oh please, oh please, don't let me die as 'The Cheese.'" Remaining the cheese for the rest of the day only brings pain both emotional and physical as the other little boys rain a continuous series of karate chops upon his person while wailing "I cut 'The Cheese-I cut 'The Cheese.'"

"The Teacher" looks at him. Their eyes lock and he knows his life, as he knows it, has come to an end.

Oh the horror.


We Must Stop Dieting!

It was suggested to me that Shari's might not be the healthiest place in the world to meet for a group of people wanting to become fit. Let me offer a portion of a recent email as a response. The question that prompted the email was, "Does this mean 'no Easter candy?'"

"No Easter Candy?" is a very good question. The answer is a simple one but not obvious. The answer is yes. You may eat Easter Candy. Just don't eat ALL of the Easter candy.

Ask yourself, "Am I an unfit person in an unfit body or a fit person in an unfit body?" What would a fit person eat? Again this is a trick question. Only fat people diet. Only fat people have to do without. Only fat people suffer. Only fat people have to do feel deprived.

Thin people eat whatever they want and never get fat. So watch a thin person eat. They eat a whole chocolate marshmellow bunny. Then they walk to the mall to get another one because it tasted so good. They may even wear ankle weights for the walk. They may even walk at three and a half miles an hour pace. By the time they get to the mall they may have lost their craving for a chocolate bunny and have a cup of Madagascar Red Herb Drink and half a biscotti instead.


WE MUST STOP DIETING AND EXERCISING--THAT IS FOR UNFIT PEOPLE. Instead we must live the lifestyle we love-lots of adventure and activities--too many fun activities to waste our time in a sedentary life style.That's why it's important to start at Shari's. No one considers Shari's a nutritional place to eat. Dieters will never go there. It will be the beginning of our fit life and the end of thinking that we need to diet.

The scriptures say, "As a man thinketh, so is he." If we see ourselves as fit it's only a matter of time before we are.

Tip From South Beach

http://www.southbeachdiet.com/sbd/publicsite/dailydish/dd_20080321.aspx

Here's a tip from the South Beach Website:

1. Give your child a healthy Easter basket. Replace some of the typical sugary treats with an assortment of fresh or dried (no-sugar-added) fruits, nuts, and whole-grain bite-size crackers. Pastel-colored hard-boiled eggs are also a good choice. Another option: Start a nonfood tradition and fill the Easter basket with stickers and other age-appropriate trinkets.


2. Enjoy a sugar-free substitute. When your kids are gobbling down their Easter treats, satisfy your sweet tooth with a sugar-free alternative. Some to try: sugar-free hard candies, sugar-free bubble gum, or even a no-sugar-added fudge pop. As always, limit sweet treats to 75 to 100 calories per day.


3. Allow yourself a bit of dark chocolate. A small amount of dark chocolate is a deliciously decadent, yet surprisingly healthy indulgence. According to emerging research, dark chocolate contains antioxidants known as flavonoids, which have been shown to lower blood pressure in healthy individuals. Plus, dark chocolate contains the minerals magnesium and copper, which may help improve cardiovascular health. So, treat yourself to a small piece of dark chocolate (egg-shaped or otherwise!).

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Like Stink on a Gorilla

Here's the challenge for the day: Comparative Action Metaphors

Diane: "Hey Paul, can you help me finish my dessert?"

Paul: "I'm on it like ____________________"

stink on a gorilla.

Crest on a toothbrush.

orange on a cheetoh.

Oprah on "smelt night" at the Old Country Buffet.

a puppy at a fire hydrant factory.

William Shatner at a "ham fest"

glaze on a Krispy Kreme.

rust on my Jeep.

Sylvester Stallone on steroids.

Any others????

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Joseph Smith Photo Update




KSL published a pretty good article on the Joseph Smith Photo. Is it him? Maybe, Maybe not. Read the article for yourself.

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Fabulous Fitness Forum Formed







Come join the forum. It's for men and women. Fit or unfit. Go at your own pace.
Many thanks to Emily Marttala for reminding me that I am going to climb High Rock this Summer. She has inspired me to form the Fabulous Fitness Forum to help me achieve my goal. Our first meeting (all invited) will be at Shari's Restaurant near Top Foods at 9am on Saturday morning. There is no charge to become a member of the forum except for any breakfast you may enjoy. We will discuss various strategies on fitness and happiness. Our discussions will start promptly at 9am.






Two requirements to join.


1. Medical approval to participate (honor code).


2. You have to walk (or bike) to the meeting location (rain or shine-dress appropriately). (Kids in strollers, OK) (Kayaks, OK but the asphalt is tough on the hull).


Oooh, I know!

It's 2.5 miles for me. 5 miles round trip.

Now for some that would not be prudent, reasonable or healthy. However there is nothing to stop us from driving part way and walking the rest (even if it means parking at Lowe's hardware and walking through the parking lot). I am likely to drive half way and plan a three mile walk instead of a five mile walk.

Always, always, always, walk with a partner. You can alternate. This week drive to their house and walk from there. Next week they can come to your house.

(Are you falling into the trap that I am? That is, always planning to drive to their house because it's closer to the restaurant? That suggests to the mind that I am not capable of walking the longer distance; that it is beyond my ability to sustain. Poppycock. Rubbish. To be sure we should be prudent and walk as much as our body will allow but we should remember that we are capable of walking from Nauvoo to Salt Lake City.

More to this point. I was asked if I could speak Russian. I assured the interrogator that I can speak Russian, French, Japanese, German, Spanish, Guarani and Portugese. It's just that I haven't learned them yet. Can I walk five miles? Yes, emphatically yes. Is it prudent to do so yet? Perhaps not. I'll start with three and move up to five.
So....see you there.

Watch the BLOG for updates on our next meeting, (usually weekly), and location. Our final August meeting will be at the top of High Rock.




Sunday, March 16, 2008

Joseph Smith Photo Update

Here's the update on the photo below thanks to Amanda.

http://josephsmithpainting.com/reasearch.html

Saturday, March 15, 2008



So, here is the internet rumor: This photo is of Joseph Smith around the Liberty Jail time. Still waiting for confirmation.

Thursday, March 13, 2008

Guardian Angel-Chapter One-Part Three

Darius rolled over on his side to reduce the pain in his lower back from the industrial strength mattress he had been sleeping on. He had no complaints about the accommodations; firm mattresses always left him with a sense of sciatica after eight hours. He hadn’t picked the Best Western River’s Edge Hotel for the mattresses or the amenities. His selection was dictated by the business mantra, “location, location, location”. The River’s Edge was located between the bend of the Green River near the dump site of many of the Green River Killer’s victims and the remains of the historic Longacres Horse Racing Track. The latter was now just a derelict, being encroached on by the spreading Boeing Aircraft Company. There was something poetic about a hotel sandwiched between murder and gambling that appealed to his inner man. Still these details were a mere aside compared to the main plot, that is, the sharp bend to the Northwest that the Burlington Northern line takes just across the rode from the hotel.

He had reserved this particular room on the upper floor for the unimpeded view of the rail line just across the road and the empty parking area that would provide the perfect catch basin for the box cars, flat cars, plywood and gypsum products that would be hurled off the tracks by the momentum of the runaway freight train at the precarious turn. The cherry on the top of this catastrophic sundae was that the entire wreck would be at the base of Interstate 405, one of the busiest highways in the state right at the zenith of the morning rush hour. The “gapers block” would be magnificent. The dismay, anger, subsequent disciplinary actions for tardy employees would create a sense of rage that would be palpable throughout the region. And no one would be injured.

This last notion was of particular interest to him. Maximum rage and enmity was always the target. Anything that would elevate pride, such as war, road rage, etc., is of value whereas deaths were always humbling and often of little value. The last runaway he was involved with ran from Tumwater to Olympia exceeding 60 miles per hour. It had run through the dead end at the station, through the rear wall and out the front wall extending four blocks into the main city of Washington State’s capitol. Up to that point it was a flawless prank. Then the bodies were discovered. The railroad station telegrapher’s body was found in the attic of a building across the street. There were 15 others hospitalized for their injuries. That was in 1959. He still felt regret. Death had a purpose and when done with proper timing was very fulfilling. Accidental deaths like these were just sloppy work.

As he pondered the aftermath of the ’59 crash from his bed he noted that the Sun had cleared the crest of the Cascade Mountains and was lighting his room with more than just a promise of dawn. Then he realized something was missing. Where were the sirens? A derailment of this proportion should have woken him. If not the crash then certainly the sirens of the emergency vehicles would have ripped him from slumber. He threw off the covers and was at the window in two strides. He threw open the sheer curtains and stood there in awe.

It was a magnificent day. The kind of day the makes Northwesterners glad to live here. The snow capped Cascade mountains in the distance on a base of verdant green forests supported a flawless blue sky. The only thing missing was a train. Traffic along 405 was brisk and unencumbered. Thousands of happy commuters smiling and graciously allowing others to merge at will. It was pathetic.

In seconds he was past the elevator and bounding down the stairs three at a time. He blew through the lobby in nothing but black loafers and his pajama bottoms. Dodging cars on the frontage road he scrambled up the ballast slipping on the sharp rock not looking at his footing but rather to the North to see where the train must have gone. He saw nothing. It was only when he looked South did he spot the leading box car. It was two thousand feet down the tracks sitting behind a grove of trees that had obstructed his view from the hotel. He skipped from railroad tie to railroad tie until he stood looking up at the beast that he thought was going to disrupt the lives of so many.

He just stood there staring.

“Well that didn’t work out the way you planned,” a quiet voice intoned just to his left and outside of his peripheral vision.

“No it did not,” he reflected tipping his head slightly as he continued to look at the green Burlington Northern box car. He didn’t look at his visitor. He knew who it was. “Hello Horatio.”

“Hello Darius. It was the grade you know.” Horatio offered.

“The grade?”

“Yup. The elevation change was too subtle. It wasn’t steep enough,” Said Horatio.

“Oh but 900 tons, certainly just the inertia…” his voice trailed off because he knew he was wrong.

“Yeah,” he drawled, then abruptly added, “No.” Horatio added, “Not a chance. This baby rolled all the way from Auburn at 5 miles an hour. It was so slow that no one even noticed and”, he continued, “there was so little traffic that no one was even inconvenienced.” He put his hand on Darius’ shoulder. “Man you gotta get your act together. This was another total bust.”

Darius knew he was right. This was just another flub in a long string of flubs.

“Nice duds by the way,” Horatio smiled looking down at the contrast between the tassled loafers and the Spiderman pajamas.

“Oh yeah,” Darius said rubbing his arms recognizing the cold for the first time. He looked back, resignedly, at the near half mile walk back to the hotel. Then, abruptly he tensed and asked, “What time is it?”

“7:17am Pacific Daylight Time,” Horatio said looking at his vintage Timex.
“Oh mama!” said Darius and he was skittering down from the track and off through the trees to the road back to the hotel.

Next: Jessica

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Ooohh, I've been tagged by http://honeygramandpapa.kay-family.org/

Tagged by Radar I make the following offerring.


What was I doing 10 yrs ago:

Stealing cars (OK it was just one and it really was my car so there was nothing illegal just a little dangerous) and hiding them at Kevin and Annette's house.

5 Things on my list of things to do today:

1. Finish Work. 2. Walk 1.5+ miles. 3. Post the next chapter part of my novella. 4. Finish my Sunday School lesson. 5. Go to bed early.

Things I would do if I suddenly was a Billionaire:

Two words--Hair plugs.

3 of my bad habits:

1. Wanting Hair plugs. 2. Laughing at Brian and Stewie. 3. Not being able to keep my mouth shut at the absurdities of life.

Places I have lived:

Portland, Oregon City, Seattle, Kent, Seattle, Sumner, Puyallup, St. Louis, Bonney Lake, Puyallup.

Things most people don't know about me:

Great kisser--no seriously--really--world class--possibly without peer--we're talking gold medal. Humble.

Diane, consider yourself tagged.

Thursday, March 6, 2008

Guardian Angel-Chapter One-Part Two

He chuckled to himself as he considered the simplicity of it all. Simplicity really is the key to a good bit of evil. Great disasters don’t require great effort. Just a little wedge here and there will cause even the mightiest of walls to fall. The last wedge for this little project was in the form of one Richard McDaniel of Sumner Washington.

Richard is a member of a Burlington Northern Railroad Company switching crew. This morning Richard’s job was to park a section of train in the Auburn rail yard to await the arrival of the remainder of the train, engines and crew that would eventually take the train to Portland Oregon and beyond. There were 15 cars loaded with plywood and sheetrock weighing in at over 900 tons.

Parking a section of train is easy enough. Richard had done it hundreds of times. He would first close the air line that controls the air brake system so that when the train is uncoupled it won’t lose pressure. This will lock the train and keep it from moving.

Unfortunately for Burlington Northern and those downhill from the rail yard the air brakes will fail. Wedge number one occurred 26 months earlier when Darius encouraged a railroad maintenance worker to enjoy just one more of his favorite cold beverages as he mourned the loss of the Seattle Seahawks to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Superbowl XL. One more led to another and the resulting morning after made it a very easy decision to patch together a faulty airline instead of repairing it properly.

Next Richard would push the lever lifting the pin that locks the knuckles between cars allowing them to open and the parent train to move off to unknown destinations. Finally he would set the hand brakes. This was his system. He had not varied from it for 13 years. It was rote. He no longer even thought about it. It was automatic.

Then he felt the vibration of his cell phone.

Richard would have ignored the phone and continued his routine had the display not read “US Treasury Dep”. He froze as Darius knew he would. Richard tentatively opened the phone, “Hello?” he croaked.

“Mr. McDaniel this is special investigator Watson of the Internal Revenue Service,” Darius intoned in his most official voice, “Sir we understand that in the year 2007 you made some investments in Iranian banking through Dubai. Sir are you aware that there are some question as to the political nature of such investments and that they may fall under the province of Homeland Security?”

Richard was stunned. Wedge number two was his chance meeting with a bright and energetic young tax advisor at the Subway restaurant where he often had lunch. In between bites of his Cold Cut Combo he listened as his new friend, Darius, laid out the promises of tax credits, huge profits and the benefit to the United States of creating friendly relations with Iran. It was too good to be true.

“Sir, are you still there?”, Darius asked.

After a pause, “What, uh, yes I’m here,” Richard stammered.

“Sir, we’ve frozen all of your assets, seized your home, garnished your wages and Homeland Security is preparing to arrest your wife. I would suggest that you return home immediately so that we can straighten this out before they take her into custody.” Darius counted silently to himself. He estimated it would take 15 seconds for it all to settle in and Richard would be running to his car.

He was up to eight when he heard Richard’s panting voice, “I’m on my way,” he said the sound of rapid gravel spreading foot steps in the background.
Richard waved at his crew which they mistook as meaning “everything is secured” and they all left for the day leaving the train secured only by the air brakes which would fail at precisely 3:17 am and begin it’s runaway rampage toward Seattle with wedge number three properly placed.

Darius thanked the clerk for the use of the phone and left the “The US Treasury Depot”, just one of many quaint little shops lining the main street of Auburn where treasures of all kinds can be bought and sold on consignment. With a smile on his face he jumped into his 1984 Toyota Camry and drove to his vantage point with destiny.

Next: The Rampage

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

Guardian Angel-Chapter One-Part One

Darius was having a bad day. But then that’s the way it was supposed to be. Bad days were his stock in trade and today was going exceptionally well. He always enjoyed the moment when a task was complete and as today’s efforts were approaching their crescendo he began to bask in the warm glow of his achievements. There was no doubt that he took great pride in his accomplishments. Too much pride some would say but he paid little attention to those who would degrade his skill. In his opinion, which he esteemed with great reverence, his greatest skill was being bad. He was wrong about this assessment of course. In point of fact, in the world of mischief makers, he was really quite undistinguished and considered by many to be the most benign in the history of the world. To be candid, while his peers were excelling at creating catastrophes of epic proportion Darius’ efforts always fizzled and many even backfired.

He considered today’s effort, however, a triumph.

Next: Ghost Train

Sunday, March 2, 2008

Keanu Reeves Shoes



Diane and I went to Famous Footwear Saturday night after I was released as the bishop of our ward. As we walked in a very nice young lady asked, "May I help you?"

"Yes," I said, "Is this Famous Footwear?"

"Yes it is," she said with a perky little voice reserved for shoe clerks at the South Hill Mall.

"Excellent!", said I, "Can you direct me to the shoes that Keanu Reeves has worn?"

She just stared at me.

I'm going to enjoy not being the bishop.

Saturday, March 1, 2008

Thank You

Winter is coming to a close and Spring is teasing us with a hint of longer days and warmer weather. With each glimpse of blue in our beautiful northwest skies I feel grateful for the things around me.

As the bishop of the ward I have the opportunity to be grateful for things most others never see.

I am grateful:
For the green of the northwest.
For the safety we enjoy.
For chocolate.
I am grateful:
For youth who say no to themselves and yes to obedience.
For the members who have discovered family history work and are getting connected to their ancestors.
For the members who are startled to find themselves sharing the gospel with their friends.
For eight young people in foreign lands preaching the gospel.
For those who put their own lives on hold to serve in the military. And their families.
I am grateful:
For those who are fighting addictions and occasionally lose a battle here or there but return to the fight and are winning the war.
For the couples who don’t understand why they have friction but refuse to give up on each other.
For members who don’t come to church but still welcome home and visiting teachers for a visit.
For those who are beat down everyday but keep getting up to fight on.
For those who sin and repent.
I am grateful:
For the delight in the child’s eyes when they come to the bishop’s office with a ticket for a birthday surprise and find a candy bar waiting for them that I get to give them because the Primary made it possible.
For new basketball uniforms.
For ward leaders who could choose to do anything else but instead spend their time in countless meetings laboring for all of us.
For members who quietly go about serving others without fanfare.
I am grateful:
For counselors who have carried me so far.
For my life.
For my wife, my children, their sweethearts and my grandchildren.
For my Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ.
For all who have taken such sweet and tender care of me.
Thank you.

Fashion Tip

I was told that wearing darker colors will have a slimming effect.

I acquired some antimatter and created a Black Hole around me.

I'm looking good.

La Boheme

Why I Love Opera!