My Dreams of Writing

NaNoWriMo time...well first time

2011-11-01T18:47:00.000-07:00

I have signed up for the National November Writing Month thing. Your goal is to write 50,000 words of your novel during the month of November.
Not sure how it is going to go but thought I would give it a try since all my thinking about writing has added up to 0 words on paper.

I will keep this up to date as I work through this wonderful experience....

Music Inside

2011-06-12T20:03:00.000-07:00

I have been watching the Shaina Twain series called "Why Not".
I over heard a one liner that a Doctor said to her and it really hit home.
"Most people die with their music still inside them" That is so true. That is also what any want to be writer has lingering in the back of their mind.
I have a need to make sure that I at least get part of my voice out for my family to have if no one else.

Also I was reviewing some things I wrote quite awhile ago and was genuinely impressed with he context and the flow.
I have some small portion of talent even if it is only in my own mind.

Grab you in the first chapter

2011-06-06T16:10:00.000-07:00

I have started and stopped 3 books in the past week. These were listening to them on my ipod.
1 I got 3 discs in
1 I got 2 discs in
1 I got 1 disc in
Stopping each mainly because the story did not grab me right up front. I am also reading the sequel to Scarlet Pimpernel and find the first to be a bit slow but know that this is how she wrote and it will get better.
I have not written off the other books, I will go back and pick up where I left off some time in the future, but it brought to mind the importance of having your story, characters or setting jump out and grab the reader within the first chapter if not lines, or they are must likely to wander away never to give you a 2nd chance.

The art of Mapping

2011-06-01T20:37:00.000-07:00

Some of the most enjoyable books I read have maps in them. Usually not more than 2 pages, tucked just inside the front cover.
I always refer to them several times in the course of reading the book. They are a great help when reading of new worlds or kingdoms etc.
I have played around several maps for my world where my stories are located.
This almost seems like a must as I start to write.
I don't draw well but can do well enough for me.
I even bought a small sketch book to do maps and layouts of towns and such.
I know I will never use them in the book when it publishes but they are invaluable as I create.

Books and Movies and a thank you for a missing comment.

2011-05-16T17:39:00.000-07:00

I started to watch "A Game of Thrones" on HBO. After the first show I got the book on CD from the library and started to listen. I made it through the first disc and stopped. Not because it is bad but so good and the HBO treatment is so good and close (so far at least) to the book.
I will start the book again after the series is over.
I have only had a few movies that have come close to the books they were based on...very few.

Also I have to say thanks to a comment that used to be on here but is now gone. The thought was expressed that in finding time to write to use a daily journal, and to make sure you get the right journal so you will use it. Even 5 minutes a day is 300 words. I have been looking for my right journal.
(I wish I still had the comment since I went to her site and found great information)

Updates

2011-05-09T15:55:00.000-07:00

So I feel like I need to give an update on the goals I have set if for no one else but myself.
The idea of making time to write is true. I have not forced myself to get up so I do not have the time to write everyday like I would wish.
But I have gotten better.
I have also found that I can spend time that I really don't have to think to think about my story lines and such.
One thing I have continued and am proud of is that i have kept up with my daily reading. Not just reading or listening to a book for enterainment but also to notice style and how it is put together. I then find myself how I would change some of it or how I would like to emulate parts of it.

Anything that is worth doing takes effort.

Short Story...ok

2011-04-21T14:15:00.000-07:00

So is ornery really a word? I guess it is since it pops up in my Microsoft word program as one...isn't that a better source than Webster?

Even so I went home yesterday and told Nat I was in a bad mood, she smiled and said why. I told her because I have to work at work…I know poor baby right?.

Well today was no better. Here I sit and the only word that fits is ornery. Here it is late Thurs afternoon, I have to give a talk this Sunday and have no idea on how to approach it. I have tons of yard work and it is all wet and cold, I have a section of my latest story stuck in my head, and not sure how to fix it, I can’t seem to turn around at work without someone having a new personal problem that impacts the job and I am old and feeling it today…ok I fell better now, thanks for listening!

So since my last post I have adjusted just a bit. I do not always get the set amount of writing time but I am finding more of it.

I have decided to work out 2 short stories so i can enter them into a contest by June as well as submit one to the round of mags that might take it.

This has been fun revisiting old friends and updating very little as I go through the rereads.

I have toyed with an idea of a collection of short stories all centered around a main place or theme.

Much like the old "Thieves World" books.

In fact I remember working on a collaboration with others around the country way back in the late 80's when the main internet thing was Prodigy and we were excited to be able to connect with a 512k dial up modem.

Well on the short stories, contests and submissions.

Fun fun fun.

Start again

2011-04-11T18:31:00.000-07:00

I am at the very end of Mr. Kings "On Writing". In this, as in all the other books on writing I have read, the number one reccomendation and the only thing they all have in common is: Read a lot, write a lot.
So where do I find the time to write daily(except Sundays I think)
I will start a new idea in the morning to see if it will work:
6-6:30 wake up breakfast
6:30-7:30 write
7:30 -8:15 study
8:15-8:45 shower dress family study
9-arrive at work and the bore begins.
Then at night, I will try to read when I can and write when I can (all depends on a very active 3 year old.

I know I can find time to read during the day, the best thing about my ebook reader is it goes everywhere.

Well, we will see how it goes this week...

Telling it like it is

2011-04-02T14:48:00.000-07:00

I have read this before but I just got a copy of the audio from my local library. It is read by the author himself.

I just started listening to it this afternoon while shopping with my wife and Boo. One of the lines in the forward really cracked me up. I started to laugh in the middle of Old Navy and Nat said what's so funny. I had to make sure she knew it was what I was listening to and not what she was holding up to show me how cute a shirt was.
The line is simply, "One of the reason this book is so small is that most books written on this subject are full of Bullshit"
I have read many of those books and can not argue with Mr. King...why would I even try.

Unchanging Mission Statement

2011-03-24T11:51:00.000-07:00

So I had cause to review my Mission statement I wrote way back in 1994. It has remained unchanged and still is after my review.
In fact i have told Nat that it should be on the program at my funeral.
I have shared it here before but thought to re post it and recommit to it.

My Quest( my mission statement for life)

To view each day as a chance to learn from yesterday,
plan for tomorrow and act accordingly.
To be as Don Quixote and view life
as it should be and not as it is.
To see each person for what is inside,
not what they put out front.
To go to sleep at night with
the knowledge that my family and friends know
I love them unconditionally and
that I am proud they are part of my life.
To know that if I should die,
the words, actions
and thoughts of today could
stand as my monument.
To keep my word no matter what.
To be true to myself above all else.
To reward accomplishments
no matter how small or great they are.
To see the magic in every sunset
and enjoy it.
To show kindness
regardless of circumstance.
To be able to smile
no matter the complaints I may have.
To attempt the absurd!
(thus achieving the impossible from time to time.)
This is my Quest.

Almost Scripture

2011-03-17T20:43:00.000-07:00

I am sitting here trying to figure out how to do my talk for Sunday. Not having much luck...On the TV is Les Mis 25th anniversary concert on PBS.
If ever there was music that rates to be classified as scripture it is Les Mis.

I love this show. While this version is not my 100% most favorite cast (The 10th year one is that) I still find it moving.
It is the dream of every person who puts pen to paper to have their work live on after them.

I don't really care if I ever get published (have to finish something long before that will happen)
I just want my children, grandchildren etc to have a glimpse of who I was and have their life touched by my simple act of putting pen to paper.

The Notebooks

2011-03-16T12:25:00.000-07:00

I have started to once more carry a notebook with me everywhere. I use the small ones pictured above for work and such.
This along with my blackberry works a lot like my old day planner

This also helps with spur of the moment ideas...had one yesterday for the ending line of a new poem

Also I have a larger book that I pack for more room and thoughts etc. You never know when the thought will strike so you must be prepared to jot it down or it will be lost

Old yet new thoughts

2011-03-12T16:25:00.000-08:00

I was looking over some of my old thumb drives and files I had stored on several hard drives.
I found several "works" that I had started.
A few poems I will share. These were written about 3 years ago, just after we were able to get our wonderful Boo through the miracle of adoption.
This has forever change my life

4am Feeding

You grasp my finger
In your small hand
(Which is not like mine
Yet it fits.)

You hungrily latch
Your lips on tight,
(Lips not like mine
Yet I make them smile.)

You gurgle then
Grunt your special
Noises, (that I encourage)
Stopping mid gulp to

Open your eyes
(That I did not give you
Yet they reach
Into my soul.)

I hear one small
Word in my
Mind, that settles
In my heart.

This you give
to me.
Simply
Dad.

Untitled

Your body did not conceive me.

Yet your mind saw who I was.

I did not physically grow within you

But my soul started then

grew in your heart

It took longer for me to get here

Than you wanted

(We both had growing to do.)

I came when it was time.

I can not speak the words I want,

So I smile and hope you hear

These special words

That are just for you

“Hi MOM!”

Adoption Love moment #2

You have been in our
Prayers for over 3 years.
Hoping you would come.

We see your strength, your love
As you follow your heart.
Few can fully
understand your
Reasons,

Yet He knows
And is smiling

As you place
Your daughter
Into her mothers arms.

We hug, cry,
Melt into each other
The 3 of us

Forever bound
Together
Through the love
We have for
This small wiggling

Bundle.

This moment

Like our arms
Intertwining together
With the power of pure
Unselfish love.

Finding Time to Write

2011-02-22T06:53:00.000-08:00

I think the biggest challenge of any "part time do it for fun of it" writer is trying to find the time to write.
I remember listening to several authors and they said you needed to get up before the crack of dawn, when the house is quiet and write. Most professional writers I listen or read about say that they follow a schedule, just as if they were working at it.
That is my excuse. I can't really say problem since I know it is just an excuse.
I have been getting up at 6 each morning but I find myself reading more that I thought I would.
I still think reading is important so I need to figure a way to crave out a few more minutes each day to spend time writing.
Before Boo came along I had tons of time. But my time playing and being with her is priceless to me. Once she hits the bed I usually am out to since I am old and tired from being up at 6 every morning.
Then I need to fit in exercise as well...oh my!

Begin again

2011-01-29T19:44:00.000-08:00

I set the goal at the first of the year to do more writing...well I have not done that, yet. I have been getting into a new schedule which is fun with a almost 3 year old around and a job that suddenly decided to change some hours for a week.
But never say die and all that, I am starting again. I will cut into my early morning reading to start to get a few words on paper. Of course I will still read but not just as much I guess.
I will update here as I go.
Right now it is time to review some old pieces and ideas to see if I want to continue or start anew.

Long Time not posting

2011-01-27T17:28:00.000-08:00

It seems like I have forgotten this blog...well I guess I have.
I have been keeping up my other blog a bit better and facebook.
Just seem to run out of time...

A New BBook Series (for me)

2010-06-12T17:40:00.000-07:00

Due to the raining wet day today I was able to finish a book I have been trying to get through for about a month.
"Dragonmaster" by Chris Bunch really hit the spot.
I was attracted to this book in the store due to the cover art, title and then a simple quote on the back cover from the Library Journal which read "Fans of military fantasy and dragon lore should enjoy this." and I did.
I look forward to the other twp books in the series as well as trying some of his other series.
Dare I say I am excited to read again after the end of Terry Brooks last book?

Good Reads dot com

2010-05-01T21:54:00.000-07:00

Laurie Jo hooked me up with a new website. Goodreads.com.
I love it. It is a place where you can share the books you have read, are reading or planning to read.
It is fun to see what others think of books as well as how many people read what you like.

Thanks Jo for telling me about it.

2 Movies that worked for me

2010-03-10T15:11:00.000-08:00

I just got done watching 2 movies I picked up at Redbox yesterday.
2012 and Up in the air.
I really enjoyed both. Totaly different types of movies but i was glad I spent the time watching them as I worked on spreadsheets and sort of paid attention to a long boring conference call with 40 other people.

2012 made me think of what if I was thrown in that situation...now I do not have the skills and unbelievable luck the characters had but I do have a family I am close to and would hope some of us would survive.
As for Up in the air...well I have done my share of traveling and thought that it showed life on the road very well. I remember when I first had to travel for business and I thought I was pretty cool. That did not last long.
One trip, after I had been upgraded to 1st class due to being a Platinum member (fly Delta!), I sat next to a guy that said. "Being upgraded so easy is nice, but it sure sucks having had to get to this spot"
He was right, the miles and hours and days I had spent away from Nat were not worth the nice seat, all the diet coke I could drink, the hot meal, all the snacks I wanted, free headphones, free movie in seat back etc. (Now the warm wet towel they give you right after takeoff is pretty nice, but still not worth it)

The writing in Up in the air hit home and in 2012 it made me think. What else do we want as writers but that...

Sometimes the Magic works

2010-03-03T18:00:00.000-08:00

Just finished reading Terry Brooks book on writing called "Sometimes the magic works" This is actually the 2nd time I have read this book. I enjoyed it very much (again).
I have still been getting up at 6am every morning, not always doing my personal study or working on writing but still getting up and not giving up.
I have created a reference book that includes pictures of characters and places I have rolling around in my head. They will not all be in the first book or story but they will get their turn. (I promise)

Power of suggestion

2010-02-14T20:58:00.000-08:00

At the start of the year I thought about goals and things i need to change. I decided that I need to find more time for personal study and make time to write. Over the next couple of days I thought about it and looked close at my time. I thought that if I wanted to have alone time it needed to be in the mornings. Once I get home from work Boo seems to all my attention until bed time and then I am tired and go to bed myself.
I thought "Well, if I really want to do this I need to start getting up at 6am and have an hour."
The next morning I woke up at 6 without even trying. Every morning since then I have been waking up right around 6am. Now I haven't followed through on my study time or writing, I usually wonder why the heck am I awake and go out and watch TV or go back to sleep.
I have decided that I must really want to do this since I am waking up on my own and not really planning it.
So tomorrow, I will start to do the study and writing. (I really will...no really! I ope so at least)

Other Worlds

2010-01-22T21:52:00.000-08:00

Just finished reading "Master Harper of Pern".
What a great feeling in catching up with old friends.
The World of Pern has not completely died as it's author gets older...In fact her son has co-written several new books. They are not as great as her older ones but still the magic of the world continues...

3 Word Journal

2009-12-29T09:32:00.000-08:00

Just heard a interview with the author of a new book " The 3 Word Journal
Finding Your Purpose In Life"

I was intrigued by the idea. You simply write down 3 words that describe what you want to remember about that day and using that as a trigger come back to fill in the story later.

Not only is this a good idea as you write your daily journal or life history, but could it not be applied to writing in general?

So often I think of a great story line or a twist to a previous story and mean to write it down but don't. It is then lost.

As I recommit to write this next year I think I will try this method.

Love this clip

2009-11-18T10:28:00.000-08:00

Great Sayings

2009-11-09T10:37:00.000-08:00

I have started to write down several great sayings I come across.

Here are a few:

"To a 9 yr old with a hammer, everything is a nail!" My boss's boss

"The only perfect people you know are people you do not know very well" Pres Uchtdorf

"Questions into spiritual things require spiritual answers" Pres. Uchtdorf

"God is more concerned with the offerer than the offering" Brad Wilcox

"Grandchildren are the reward you get for letting your children live" unknown

Daddys little helper

2009-10-27T18:16:00.000-07:00

Boo is now helping me with everything I do. I am trying to find time to write again but she seems to latch on as soon as I get home until bed time.

Don't get me wrong I love it!!!!

Guess I need to stay up a bit longer and write then.

Bubble Magic

2009-07-20T08:21:00.001-07:00

The magic of Bubbles.

I think the pictures say it all

Are we becoming the Borg?

2009-07-09T13:43:00.001-07:00

I do not consider myself a Trekkie but I have seen most of the Star Trek Movies and seris . (I am currently watching Enterprise on DVD from the library)
I do find it interesting that we are becoming more like Star Trek. Cell phones, the internet etc. With all this advancement we are also coming closer to the Borg.
Face Book, Twitter, email has brought us all closer to becoming part of the “collective”. My blackberry keeps me in contact with any one 24 hrs a day. I get updates on face book on what friends are doing.
Youth seem to be at a loss if they are out of signal range for even 10 minutes let alone longer.
Technology is good but I do think we are losing some of our basic humanity along with it.

The Classics

2009-06-26T10:46:00.000-07:00

I have been searching for a great read lately but have not found anything that really catches me.
I think I will try out some of the classics that I vaguely remember from my youth.
So I will start with The Black Arrow by Stevenson.

I miss the excitement of anxiously waiting for the next Harry Potter or Terry Brooks new work.

Good thing the classics are always there to fall back on.

Hate to admit...my boys were right

2009-06-15T14:03:00.000-07:00

For years my boys have been telling me that I should watch the TV show "House". I had caught parts of it every so often. Last week they were doing a marathon of house and I caught several episodes and liked it. Randy was kind enough to loan me season one which I have been watching.
I really like this show. The writing is great and the characters are very enthralling...I hate to admit it but they were right, but they were!

Cool Dude!

2009-06-08T21:45:00.001-07:00

Every superstar has two sides to them...

Laughs and growls

2009-06-03T19:30:00.000-07:00

Boo loves to read. (well what she thinks is reading) She will sit in the corner and leaf through books. For the past several weeks she has been holding a book and laughing then giving a growl. I finally decided to look and see what book she does this with. This is it. She will often sit through at least 2 pages as I read it with her in my lap.
It is a good book. I guess she growls at the monster...I get such a kick out of watching her love for books start.

Dreams of flying

2009-05-25T08:58:00.000-07:00

No magic can replace the dreams

a child gets as they soar through the sky.

Bound to earth by a simple rope and seat but

having no bounds in their mind

as the joy of wind in their hair brings

a smile to their face and

a laugh fills their heart.

Thoughts on being a Grandpa!!!

2009-05-04T20:28:00.000-07:00

I am now a grandpa! How cool is that! I look at it a bit differently than most...My daugther (the oldest child) is 25, 2 boys 22 and 19 years old. Then my second daugther just turned 15 months old one day before her nephew was born.

As I held Jaxon and looked at how small he was it was not too hard to remember Boo at that age and size and how fast the time has gone.

It is also not hard to give advise to Jo and Josh on things since we just went through things. I know not every baby is the same but as I have said before alot of things have chnaged since my 19 year old was a baby

I am so exicted as I think what lies ahead of our family...Boo and Jaxon will be close and of course Jaxon has the best Grandpa's in the world...( right Jack)

Boo Update!

2009-04-22T09:05:00.001-07:00

It has been awhile since I posted some photos of Boo. Here are a few. Life remains busy...too busy some days but all the same good. This coming Sunday we are getting a new Stake President. This is unscheduled so I spent a week trying to find a building big enough...then on Fri night it was decided to just do it in our buildings and video conference it. (Good thing I spent the previous week setting up the Internet in all buildings). So this week I have spent time getting the equipment, figuring out how it works and running cable and deciding how to set it all up. Tonight is a test run of the equipment, hope my connections are all good. Anyway, here's Boo

Good TV is leaving?

2009-04-03T09:02:00.001-07:00

A few weeks ago one of TV's best written shows ended. Battle Star Galactica came to an end after 5 years. It took me awhile before I got into this show but I have to say once I gave it a chance I was hooked. (I had seen the orginal in 78 when it was on)

Some have said that TV is dying and in some ways they are right. I hate the reality shows that come on. I have asked myself why do I watch TV? To be educated yes but mainly to escape an be entertained. With that in mind I still have several TV shows that I enjoy.

Big Bang Theory is a great escape and laugh since I relate well with the nerds. (No I am not that smart but I am nerdy)
How I met you mother is great because of Barney. Without him it would just be a Friends ripoff
The Mentalist makes me think and smile
Lie to me is good because of the stars.
Legend of the seeker is pure escape since nothing else like it is on. (I get tired of my copies of Hercules and Xena)
24 is good but not a must see the same is for Heroes. I have lost the intense interest I had.

That's about it...I seem to spend more time watching DVDs of old shows but still like a few of the new ones.

I can not wait until BBC America brings back Robin Hood and NBC finaly shows the BBCs Merlin this summer. (I have seen all of the Merlin that was already shown in England thanks to the magic of You Tube)

Magic does happen at Disneyland!

2009-03-28T21:45:00.001-07:00

Had a great trip! More to come.

What A Great Life!

2009-03-23T07:49:00.000-07:00

As I wrote on my grateful blog, today I am just happy to have the life I do!

I guess alot of it has to do with the fact that I made it to work in one piece. The roads are slushy and people were just going tooooo fast! I thought, better slow down a wreck is coming and sure enough before a mile the traffic slowed to a stop and we crawled along until we passed a 6 car wreck. People are so stupid. Any way more about being happy!

I am glad I have the job I do and the life I do.

I am way excited to become a grandpa! I have not told Jo and Josh how excited I am but I think they know...it is just a cool thought to think that the family is continuing on. Also, this kid is going to have the 2 most bestest grandpas that any kid could have. They have not announced the name yet but I think they know what they want. I have my favorite but am not saying, (if it is my favorite then my sons will immediately stop joking about the name or I will unleash my full power of making fun of them.)

Anyway, life is good. Last week while in El Paso I finished anew Pern novel and wasn't as pleased as I had hoped with it. But I will not give up on the story lines.

Battlestar Galactica ended on Friday. They did a good job, I was happy with the way they tied up loose ends and ended it.

I am happy that I was able to download for free onto my iPod quite a few books from Robert Howard, (Conan, Solomon Kane etc) They will be a joy to read while in line at Disneyland.

ebooks are great!

2009-03-05T07:58:00.000-08:00

As I was growing up, all through Jr High and High School and even after that, I could usually be found with a paperback book shoved in my back pocket. As I entered the work force and the Franklin day planners hit it big I always got a binder that would allow me to have a book in it.
When the Palm hit the market I got one of the first ones, a whole lot of memory of 56k!!!! I upgraded as I could and each time I would add books on the memory. Now that I am using my iTouch I was excited to see the programs they have using books! One called classics has 12 of the great classics, Frankenstein, Count of Monte Cristo, Time Machine etc. In addition I have all of the works of Shakespeare and I found a new program called Stanza, it was free and has unlimited amount of books that can be added, many at no cost. It also allows you to add your own files.
Now I know I won’t read all the books at once but I am glad to have them.

Broadway on DVD WOW

2009-02-07T18:23:00.001-08:00

Check out my grateful blog for some thoughts on Broadway on DVD

Love of books!

2009-01-12T09:28:00.000-08:00

Maggie has discovered part of the magic of books. She will all of a sudden be quiet and we will look over to see her surrounded by her books and going through them.

What a great blessing a love of books and Reading is!

I also had to include the last picture because she looks so darn cute.

Things from 2008 I don't want in 2009

2009-01-02T13:02:00.000-08:00

While I have a lot to be grateful for from 2008 there are a few things I will not miss and hope not to see as much in 2009.

Political ads and comments
My broken wrist (Working in the garden stunk)
Gas over $3
Replacing the engine in the Honda
Trips for work to Juarez Mexico. (I will miss the steak house just out side of El Paso.)
Being Jealous of iPod touch (Nat gave me hers as part of my Christmas)
Cody living in Denver
My daughters miscarriage (I will be a grandpa come May)
Violent news and problems (I no longer turn on the news)
Waiting for the comic book geek summer. (Hulk, Iron Man, Dark Knight) (Now it is the wait for Harry Potter 6, Iron Man 2, Wolverine, etc.
Trying to read Twilight (I tired and tired…I even tired on cd but only got ½ way through)
Wondering how Terry Brooks was going to finish the latest book The Gyspy Morph. (I love the anticipation and am sad that this was my last “wait for book” I now have no books I am dying to come out)
Having a goofed up laptop

Just to name few

Old Time Adventure

2008-12-17T09:46:00.000-08:00

For my birthday I got a DVD set of a Robin Hood TV series, from the 50’s.
Even though it is in Black and White and the quality is not as top notch as some of the new dvd sets I enjoyed it. There are no special effects, the fights are sometimes funny, (Several times while Robin is fighting 2 men one will swing his sword and stop mid air and wait while Robin moves to hit it. The Story lines are good and the writing is godd as well, the acting is sometimes funny and it is neat to see where the same actor is playing 2-3 parts.

Some times I think we forget the magic TV was back in the day.

You know you are getting old when...

2008-12-08T12:24:00.000-08:00

In turning 50 last week (I had hoped to keep the number a secret but…) a lot of thoughts went through my head. (I forgot most of them…after all I’m 50)
Here are some that I do remember

You remember people getting upset when gas went up to 25 cents a gallon
You cried when Davey Jones was going to leave the Monkees (on the TV Show)
Walking on the moon was really cool.
You played army with sticks for guns and the honor system for dying
You always wanted to ride in the back of the station wagon so you could be bounced around more
You would worry being bounced out of the back of a truck if the driver took the bumps too fast
The idea of a square hamburger (Wendy’s) was unheard of.
Paperback books cost under a buck
Drive in movies were cool
Watch videos at home what’s a video?
Every home movie started out with dads head looking into the camera to see if it was on.
Johnny Carson starting on the tonight show
Gilligan in Black and white
Sesame street was the hit with the JR High crowd.
People dying in Vietnam
Quad was the greatest way to listen to music
Grandma refusing to get a micro wave afraid it might blow up
Pocket calculators being as big as a book
Carrying books to and from school without a bag or backpack (they were huge and only for hiking)
The thrill of Major Matt Mason
Every year watching the special announcing the new Saturday morning cartoons.
They wisdom and Joy of Top Cat or Johnny Quest
Arguing over what TV shows we would watch at grandmas since they had a color TV and we did not.
Tuning in the TV by turning a dial
Remote what’s a remote
Neighbors’ actual sitting outside at night and talking
Not worrying if you left your car unlocked or not.
Getting upset that the party line person would not get off the phone so you could use it.
Not being afraid to answer the phone since telemarketers had not been invented yet.
Always having change in the car in case you broke down and had to walk to a pay phone to call.
Knowing you could fix your truck with wire and duct tape if needed.
You remember the first time each of your children smiled and you get emotional about it.

Wow I’m tired from all this thinking, guess I better take my medicine and have a nap.

Peace in the family

2008-11-24T08:18:00.001-08:00

I really don't care about sports....but I am grateful that the U beat BYU or my kids would not be in good moods this week...............

The future

2008-11-17T13:36:00.001-08:00

Mid November, it seems weird that the year has gone by so quickly.
Maggie is 9 ½ months old…wow. It is hard to remember our life without her and it is very exciting to think of our life ahead with her in it.

Natalie, Randy and I went and did dance pictures for one of the local high schools Sat night. We have been doing this along with Jo and Josh for a few years now.
The kids are an interesting bunch. As I hear people talk on how worried they are about the future and how bad the kids of today are I just smile. They are not that bad, well, at least not all of them.
Each dance we see the same types or groups of kids; the want to be tough kids, the very popular kids, the geeks, and those that are on their first date. Sometimes very definite gang kids. Some of the gang type kids are scary, but I don’t think they will be around long if they keep to that course. At each dance a few stand out that you can tell these are great kids.

I don’t worry about the future. We will survive.

ipod shuffle says alot

2008-11-11T20:13:00.000-08:00

At the gym tonight I went through a very interesting shuffle on my ipod. I decided to come home and write down the next 10 songs that came up to see if it said anything about who I am...
"crying from the dust" by Jeff Goodrich (LDS modern)
"Ninety and Nine" by Michael McLean (LDS)
"Bach suite #3 air on G string" by Bach
"Siberian Sleigh ride" by Trans Siberian Orch (Christmas)
"Night of Anguish" Les Mis
"Oh Hush Thee My Baby"by Primary songs (LDS)
"Moves like an Ape, Looks like a Man" by Mark Mancina from Tarzan
"Voices in the sky" By Moody Blues
"Let it snow" by Garth Brooks
"Aqualung" by Jethro Tull
BONUS 2 More just for fun
"Take me Home country Roads" by John Denver
"Lady" by Styx

So I really don't know what this says about me, except that no one wants me to play my music when in the car.

It runs in the family

2008-10-26T22:46:00.001-07:00

Maggie is a writer in the making...she loves my old typewriter I got when my Grandpa died.

Management Hollywood style

2008-10-23T10:05:00.000-07:00

The other day I was asked where I learned my management style. I have been told I have a unique way of dealing with people and problems. I smiled and replied,”I watch a lot of movies and TV”

Apollo 13- I learned team work. Remember the scene where the guys are in a conference room, one holds up two pieces of equipment saying, “We need to fit this into this only using this…”He then dumps out a lot of pieces of other equipment.

Braveheart- I have a sign on my wall that has a picture of Braveheart along wioth the saying “Management is doing things right…Leadership is doing the right thing.” The different styles of how people manage teams and others is reflected in the characters in Brveheart. Some are like Old Bruce, sneaky and win at all costs, some like the barrons others like the English. And a few are like Wallace.

Winnie the Pooh- Teams are made up of personalities. Each of these types of personality are one of the characters in Winnie the Pooh. Owl, rabbit, piglet, tigger pooh and the rest are all how people approach tasks or problems.

Highlander/Sharpe/300- all teach honor.

Jack Black- any job has humor in it if you look hard enough. Just look at his movies.

Just a few of many other examples I have learned from.

His Greatest Miracle (another inspiration, see previous post)

2008-10-14T13:47:00.000-07:00

Sitting at the opening,
I stare at the
vast blackness
Highlighted with
shiny pearls
Of light.

How can He who
Created all this,
Have time to care
Feel and love me?

He caused the light
To shine,
The wind to blow
Countless miracles
In countless lives.

Yet His greatest
Miracle is that
He does have the
Time to feel, care
And love
Me.

Picture inspired! (see pervious blog)

2008-10-14T10:36:00.000-07:00

The view never ceased to make him stop and look. Each night, for as long as he could remember, he had walk the steps with the men to the cave opening high above the valley floor. They entered from the other side of the mountain and were greeted by the starry sky from the cave opening each night. The tiny white points of light that filled the night seemed to move in and out as he looked at them. The large white patch of stars, like a snake, cut the sky in two. He was shaken from his thoughts as the team begun to fill the stone circle on the floor. Pot after pot of water would be poured in, 30 in all, till the circle would fill and the water would trickle out the side and down to the waiting families.
They would fall to their knees and thank the gods once more for the water. He smiled. His fathers, father father had been doing this same nightly ritual. His son and their sons would continue after he was gone. He could hear the chanting raising up from the valley floor, the water and started to fill the pots at the bottom.
He took one last look at the sky before him and wondered if there just might be someone behind those lights, standing with his sons as his father had done. Holding a torch to holes in a wall so that the light could come down to those that would stand and look at it.
It was late and he needed to sleep not think thoughts like this. That was the elders role in the tribe. His was to oversee the water each night and do his daily items.
He could not help but look once more as the wall door closed and wonder.

Small inspirations can happen

2008-10-13T14:54:00.000-07:00

I found this on a blog and it just started thoughts going through my head for stories etc.
How often do we ignore the small inspirations we are given?
I know I do it way too much.
So here is my deal...I have decided to put some of the thoughts I have from this picture and I will share them here when I am done....(really I will)

smile for the day

2008-10-06T13:25:00.000-07:00

How can you not smile when you look at this face!!!!!!!!!

Power of Music

2008-09-24T21:33:00.001-07:00

Today as I was coming home from the library I once more was reminded on how powerful music is. (I seem to be going more and more to the library since Natalie stopped working to be a stay at home mom. The extra money for books is not there. So glad I have a library card)
I had picked up a few new books as well as the sound track from Pirates of the Caribbean 3.
As I put the cd in the player to listen on the way home the first song was where the little boy starts to sing yo ho then the group joins in. I was instantly taken in my mind to the scene in the movie and felt once more the power of it.
Wow that happens seldom but when it does it is great.

Another book done reading

2008-09-23T14:56:00.000-07:00

So I finished the new Terry Brooks book that ends his Shannara set. I was OK with most of it. Sometimes lately it seems that he has a set formula and cranks out a book a year according to it. Well it works cuz I will still read every book he does and once they hit paperback i will buy it.

I have now decided to start a new series called Fablehaven that I have heard great praise about.

I also am still sketching out my own outline and plan on start writing this weekend.

long wait over

2008-09-16T14:00:00.000-07:00

I have a few set of books that I can hardly wait until the next comes out. Harry Potter was one of these. I was very sad as I ffinished the last one and knew that there were no others.
Terry Brooks is another one I follow with great anticipation. The problem I have is that once the newest comes out I devour it and then begins the long wait for the next book.

Dreams do come true!

2008-09-15T12:45:00.001-07:00

We spent this past week in Disneyland and had a ball. I love the feeling I get when we enter the front gates. I love seeing my wife get a tear in her eye as we watch the parade.
It is very uplifting for me to think that all this magic happened because of one mans dream.
Dreams do happen and come true if you work at them.
The trick is doing the work and then accepting the results and reworking if needed. Isn’t it the same in writing? Some dreams make it big time, others are just appreciated by as few

The best place in the world!

2008-09-07T21:00:00.000-07:00

Tonight I will find it hard to sleep since come early morning we will be heading to Disneyland. (yup, I am just like the TV commercial where they are too excited to sleep).
I love going there. I love seeing my wife enjoy being there so much. I think that is half of the enjoyment.
I have planned on taking a few moments to write a few things while there. I will of course post pics.

Later

Good rereads

2008-08-25T16:49:00.000-07:00

In the mid 70’s I came across a writer by the name of Michael Moorcock. I quickly bought all that I could and read it. Elric, Corum, the eternal champion, wow. Many years and 100 of books later I still remember the first time I read these. I have bought and given away many books, but I still have these. I started to read the sword books and relate more to the hero since he loses his left hand and I could not move mine to even turn a page.
Good books never go out of style or fashion. Some I have not read for a lot of years, but I know I still have them when I want to.
Other writers are the same and I will mention them later

Update

2008-08-23T19:18:00.000-07:00

If you have read my grateful blog you can skip the next section.

Ok so here I sit typing with one hand. Let me explain...we had a large group of wasps who decided to start to build a nest right outside our side door and next to the rain gutter. I got some spray...the foaming kind that should kill instantly and encases the nest.I went out to spray, the foam look so good as it covered the nest. Then I saw a wasp come flying out of the foam and I thought "Oh crap, it doesn't work" and I started to back petal and tripped falling backward. I hit the cement on my butt and then my wrist.The good news...I don't think I broke it, but it sure started to and swell up.So I ran to the hose on the lawn to get cool water on it.(ok I waddled cuz my butt hurts like crazy) I then came in and pulled out the first aid kit and wrapped it up then iced it and rigged a sling.Tomorrow is Stake Conference so I get to sit on the stand wrapped up. fun oh fun but I am grateful that I did not break it or worse...crack my butt.

So I guess my wrist is worse than I first thought. I will be going in Tues to have a metal plate put in my wrist. I asked the specialist how many breaks I had to which he smiled and said that a better answer would be to tell people I shattered my wrist.But even with the pain and the trouble I am having I am still grateful.-I am happy it is my left hand and not the right-That it is my wrist and not my leg or worse-I have an extremely supportive wife who I adore-I guess have a very high tolerance to pain since the dr says I should be screamingThe biggest pain is not being able to help take care of the baby like I would like too.But I am learning how to type one handed pretty well now

So I go into surgey Tues for them to put a plate in and cast it.

More later...

Back Pack or Bag?

2008-08-06T21:12:00.000-07:00

I seem to be in touch with my feminine side at times. I switched from my laptop backpack that I have been using for the past 3 months, back to my shoulder bag. I go back and forth between the two. I have a nice backpack and I love it especially when I travel, but …we will see how long before I get tired of it. It kind of reminds me of Natalie and how she switches between purses. Not that it is a bad thing…

Quick update on my 15 minutes a day of writing...I have not hit it every day but I am definitely writing more than before. It is mainly outline and character items but that is need as well as the story

FInding time to write-A new approach

2008-07-28T13:44:00.000-07:00

Today I start a new experiment. I have been very lazy in my approach (or lack of one) to writing. I read a few articles on it and have thought a lot about it, so Today I start to do something about it. I have decided that I will write at least 15 minutes a day. I have thought of ways to find the time and have come up with quite a few places I can squeeze in a few lines. Of course some places will not work (see insert).
I figure if I write every day for a few weeks to a year I will have something to show for it.

Dark Knight at Midnight

2008-07-18T10:56:00.000-07:00

Ok so last night my boys and be braved the dark and saw the new Batman movie. If you have read this blog or know me then you know I am a geek. (If you know my son Randall you know he is the biggest comic geek ever). Well, last night I was amazed at what I saw. The writing and the portrayal of the characters was exactly as I envision them. Heath Ledger as the Joker finally brought the Joker to life. He is supposed to be the most terrifying of all the villains.My wife asked if I was going to have nightmares once I got home and to tell you the truth I wasn't sure. The image of Joker and Harvey Dent/Two Face was perfect. Congrats on the writing. I look hard at it in movies of this type and it was perfect.
Well I must get back to work, I also want to figure out if I get done early how I can sneak away and go to the movie again....

4 Things

2008-07-12T12:36:00.000-07:00

Ok so Laurie Jo tagged me...

4 Places I visit over and over

1. the library

2. Best Buy

3. Wal Mart

4. the bathroom (I think it has to do with my age)

4 People who call me

1. Cody

2. Randall

3. Laurie Jo

4. Natalie

4 Favorite Foods

1. Chinese

2. Cupcakes

3. Garpe Nuts

4. Peanut Butter

4 Places I'd rather be.

1. Disneyland

2. Disneyworld

3. Anywhere with Nat and family

4. Disneyland

4 Movies I watch over and over

1. King Arthur

2. 300

3. Braveheart

4. Disney movies

4 Bands/artists I listen too

1. Broadway shows (Les Mis, Wicked, Rent, Scarlett Pimpernal)

2. EFY cd's (All years)

3. Kenneth Cope

4. Chicago

Old man thoughts while driving

2008-07-03T11:03:00.000-07:00

Yesterday on the drive home from work I got thinking on Jo's post about the review of her life so far. While I am not going to do the same it got me thinking on what I have learned so far.
Quick Review:

Raised in Bountiful Utah.
Band geek in High school
Active in LDS Church
Served 2 year mission in Australia
Married 12 years
3 kids
3 miscarriages
Divorced
Married again a few years later (almost 11 years now)
Dealt with infertility the whole time
Worked/waited 3 years for adoption
Placed with Maggie 5 months ago

I have been fired from jobs and had to fire people.
I have had 2 companies close their doors. (Both with my wife and I working there)
Spent 7 months unemployed
Know what it is like to be passed over for promotions due to friends or family needing jobs.
I have been a janitor as well as the big boss.
Spent time as phone rep as well as a collector.
Have sat and worried where money is going to come from to pay bills.
Have looked at a budget to only find rent and child support being paid (no money for food, car, gas power etc)
I have seen my grand parents pass away as well as great grand parents
Had a friend die from cancer
Neighbor form suicide
Served in Church as a teacher, clerk, young men's, Bishopric and High Council
I remember black and white TV with only 4 channels
Remember when Sesame Street started
Remember when the Monkees were the biggest thing around.

Through all this I have come to realize that there are certain truths that have stayed with me:
1. Life is never so bad that you should not find something to smile about.
2. There is nothing more beautiful than the sound of a baby’s laugh
3. There is beauty in every sunset and magic in every rainbow
4. No other success is more important than what happens with your family
5. There is no job or title more important than “Dad” and “Husband”
6. True happiness and joy come form your family and your God
7. Only you know if you are truly honest.

Years ago 1993 to be exact, I wrote the following mission statement for a class with the Covey group. I said then that it needs to be on my funeral program. I still think it applies.

It is in a previous post dated Jan 2, 2008 on this blog

Just a few thoughts from someone who has been around awhile…

Gardening and Procrastination do not mix

2008-07-02T08:59:00.000-07:00

Several weeks ago I planted the garden. It looked great! At that time I thought that I should take the time and stamp down the “Path areas” and add in plastic to help avoid the growth of weeds. I also made the mental note to get some snail bait to fight the snails that I knew would be showing up once the beans started to sprout. Well…true to my inner self I did not do that. So due to my procrastination (or as my wife would say my laziness) I have been spending the past couple of nights weeding and working and swearing at myself.
I used to admire my grandmas garden. It also looked great and perfect…now as I think back on it I remember her always in it or my grandpa working in it. “If you hoe a little every day it will grow ok”
Well I may not change. (I would hate to give such a shock to Nat if I did) but I will at least think about not procrastinate as much.

Maggie Update

2008-06-23T14:28:00.001-07:00

Boy is she getting big and mobile. She hasn't started to crawl yet but she sure rolls and wriggles.

The other morning she was awake and I was not so we sat in the family room with her rolling around me and watching Higgly Town Heros. I have no idea why she would stop and watch scenes but she did.

I will update more a bit later but she is a very happy, social baby.

She is wonderful. Of course she follows Natalie in being happy and making me smile.

We went swimming and she loved it. Also I am proud to say she has started to blow rasberrys. It is a proud moment for a dad when his child learns how to spit properly.

Angry Green Gamma at midnight

2008-06-13T11:03:00.000-07:00

Last night Randall, Cody and I sat at midnight to see the new Hulk movie. While I think I was the oldest person in the entire theater. (Midnight premiers are for the young). I really enjoyed the movie and the time I spent with my boys! Cody and I joked that we feel sorry for Randall’s wife (once he finds one) since he was so excited and into the movie. We also had one of Randall’s mission buddies there. As we were waiting for the credits to scroll through Randy was talking in detail to this guy about the history of the Hulk etc. Poor Hunsaker just sat there with a glazed look. Cody and I cracked up.
Don’t wait for the credits…nothing happens.
Anyway, the story was good and the action was defiantly a 10 on the geek scale.
So now we wait till Batman. (Even Nat will go to that one at midnight)

Picture Books

2008-06-07T21:10:00.000-07:00

So lately I have been looking for kids picture books on adoption. I have found some that are good, most are so so (at least to me) but none hit the way I want them to. Being LDS and having adoption be the way our forever family was added to is hard to convey but I have not given up. I guess I will just have to write it myself.
I have started some ideas and I must admit that picture books are not easy to write. In fact they are hard, but I am up for the challenge.

Writing

2008-05-27T17:55:00.000-07:00

I sit here in Newark NJ in a hotel and wish I were home. I flew in today for a 2 hour meeting with my client in the morning then flying back home tomorrow afternoon.
As I turned on the TV and browsed the channels I came upon the start of the movie "300".
I had almost watched it on the plane on my iPod but decided on Superman the Animated series instead.
I do like this movie. It is one of those that I can watch over and over again. I think I am drawn to the heroes in it. The sense of right makes might. This is the same reason I love the TV series Highlander and Sharpe. This sense of old time chivalry really touched me. I know if I had been born in the time of knights and all that I would probably have been a very poor farmer, but I would have taught my children that Might is not right and that the only reason to have power is to protect ohers...come to think of it I am doing that. My garden skills stink and my kids know the stories and the true purpose for the knights.
Wow, that could be really deep....but I am tired and the neat battle scenes are just starting.

Church

2008-05-25T20:33:00.000-07:00

Well, today was a good Sunday. The regular Sunday School teacher was going to be out of town so he asked me to sub in. I love teaching Gospel Doctrine. I was closet to the spirit when I was teaching each week. I guess that because I also spent the most time on that calling. Even more than Bishopric or High Council. But I only have myself to blame for not staying close. It revoles around daily study and thinking or pondering.
After Church I got a call from someone saying a sprinkler had broken at the chapel. Then a few hours later I got a call saying the other chapel had the sewer backing up in the floor drains and into the bathrooms. Since I am over the physical stuff as my assignment for High council I get these calls.
All in all a good sunday.

Maggies 1st laugh

2008-05-12T12:46:00.000-07:00

I got Maggie to laugh for the first time yesterday. It cracked me up and just almost made me cry. I know others will not think it that big of a deal, but I DON”T CARE! Maggie’s smile and her laugh make my day. (I still get a kick out of my older kids laugh as well. The only problem is they are usually laughing at me Just kidding)
They grow up so fast. So these times are extra special.

"Changed For Good."

2008-04-30T21:32:00.001-07:00

In the musical "Wicked" (One musical I have not seen but really want to)probably the best song is "For Good". (I love the Cast album. In fact I will listen to that song everyday, I just love the mix of voices.) The line goes something like..."People come into our lives, for a reason, bringing something we must learn." Then later it says...I know I am who I am today because I knew you" How true is that statement! I have heard people say that every boy will remember his Scout master. (Mine was my dad so....) Others say that you never forget your football coach (I didn't play. I do remember my Jr High and my High School Band teachers). I am different for knowing certain people. Bishops, bosses and others have influnced me greatly. I even have an old boss that years ago influenced me more than any other person. He was a jerk and I so hated his style of management and how he treated people that I refused to be similar to him even one tiny bit.The people we have come in contact with during our journey to adoption have been some of the greatest people around. Faithful, willing and humble. The men I serve on the High Council with are very humbling to me. Most are recently past Bishops and I just love being in their midst.So if you know me...thank you for being part of what makes me...me>

Family time

2008-04-23T14:20:00.000-07:00

Life keeps on going. Not much to report to any and all that might read this. Work keeps on going as do church callings and family life. Through it all it is the family time that makes it all worth while. Last night Nat had to go visiting Teaching and I had one on one time with Maggie. There is only one word to describe the feeling…Cool!
In fact spending any time with Nat and Maggie is the best thing I could ask for.
Guess you might say I am blessed!

Blessing of Tithing.

2008-04-14T21:21:00.000-07:00

Ok I really truly believe we are blessed because we pay a full tithe. It isn't that we are spared problems, they are just placed at the best time for us. I was going to go to Juarez this morning but as I went to book it last month the best flight was set for tomorrow so I picked that one. Well every time I plan a trip out of town it seems that a disaster will happen right before. Before one of my week long ones to Monterrey Mexico several years ago the flex pipe going from the wall to the toilet sprung a leak. The swamp cooler has leaked twice. Nat's jeep acted up...well it died while I was in Barcelona Spain and her and my dad had to handle it. If you read my grateful blog you will see this trip tomorrow is no exception. If this crap had hit while I was out of town I know Nat would have handled it but I would have felt so bad. So this is the blessing of tithing we get in that the trouble hits when we can handle it, the car problems hit when we have extra money, other items requiring money being put out just seem to happen when a bonus hits or some extra picture money comes in.

Now I just need to get ready for another wonderful trip to Juarez Mexico. Good thing I am not driving this trip

Music have to haves

2008-04-04T14:17:00.000-07:00

So music is very important to me, I know it is the same for others. So here is the question. What group or person do you have ALL their cd’s for?

I started out years ago having all of the following:
Monkees
Carpenters,
Led Zeppelin

Now I have the following:

Donny Osmond
Kenneth Cope
Afterglow
Michael McLean
Garth Brooks
Shania Twain
Alabama
Michael Webb
EFY
Jeff Goodrich
Trans-Siberian Orchestra

What about you?

Favorite Church Calling

2008-03-21T10:00:00.000-07:00

Ok so in my long Church Life I have had the following callings (I know I am missing some.)

Through High School I was Priesthood chorister.
Full time Missionary (Australia)
Activities Committee and Chair.
Librarian
Sunday School teacher 14-15 yr olds and 16 – 18 yr olds
Finance Clerk
Membership Clerk
Deacons advisor
YM President
Gospel Doctrine Teacher
2nd Counselor Bishopric
1st counselor Bishopric
High Council

My favorite has to be Gospel Doctrine teacher. I loved that calling.
What are some of your favorite callings?

Second Pass (Refining)

2008-03-16T18:43:00.000-07:00

Ok the second time I go through one of my poems I see if I still get the chills when I frist wrote the words, if not then i dump the whole thing or the part I think prudent. Then I get rid of needless words. At last I will read it aloud to see the flow and plan for the next pass. Here is the second pass on 4am feeding

4am Feeding
You grasp my finger
In your small hand
(Which is not like mineYet it fits.)
Hungrily you latch
lips on tight,
(Lips, unlike your
mothers,
Yet, we make
them smile.)
You gruggle, grunt
your special noises,
(which I encourage)
Stopping mid glup to
Open your eyes
(That do not match
mine yet reach
Into my soul.)
My mind hears
one small word
not in my voice
but yours,
Dad.

Very Rough Draft.

2008-03-12T18:42:00.001-07:00

Thought I would write down the thoughts that have been bouncing around for a week or so now. Still needs work but this is the start of the process so I thought I would share the whole process from rough idea to first writing to revision and revision and then more revision.

4am Feeding

You grasp my finger
In your small hand
(Which is not like mine
Yet it fits.)

You hungrily latch
Your lips on tight,
(Lips that are not like mine
Yet I make them smile.)

You gruggle then
Grunt your special
Noises, (that I encourage)
Stopping mid glup to
Open your eyes
(That I did not give you
Yet they reach
Into my soul.)

I hear one small
Word in my
Mind that
You give to me
Simply
Dad.

Be your own Super Hero

2008-03-02T18:19:00.000-08:00

"Chubbyman and The Gentleman save the city once again!"
ok so we aren't really super heros (or are we?)

So the past week I have been watching some of my favorite tv shows. The final season of Beauty and the Beast as well as reviewing some Sharpe shows and Robin of Sherwood.
I love the writing that has made these characters come alive for me.

(The picture was green screen from a recent Dance we took pictures at.)

I am a Slacker

2008-02-27T21:03:00.000-08:00

So Randall stated tonight that I am a real slacker when it comes to my blog...well I hope he has good luck finding somewhere else to live...oh yeah and I need my laptop and back pack returned as well. Slacker...well, it is kind of true.
Ok so I will try to do better.

The perfect snack...raisins...those wrinkly little shriveled up great tasting treats. I love them. Not only do I eat my bowl of raisin bran each morning, but I love to buy the small boxes and put them in my back pack or desk at work.

So RAndall and Josh have been talking about live music or not live...most live albums now are re-engineered to sound better. Now go back to the old days. The greatest live album of all time was KISS double album set. Yes back in the daay when you had to be careful to not scratch your albums. ( I guess it is the same today with discs)
Oh well more ramble thoughts later.

Fatherhood (again)

2008-02-18T19:09:00.000-08:00

Well it has been awhile since I updated this blog. I trust you all read Nats and know how great our life is. Today has been a good day, yet busy. Cody came over with Randy and spent the day. Nats mom and sisters came out to go to lunch...just the girls. Then tonight Jo and Josh came out. Last night we got together with My family for birthdays in Feb and it was great.
Family is good.
This morning we tried to get some "infant" shots of Maggie. She co-operated for a few frames then wanted nothing more...well there is always tomorrow.

The World feels right

2008-02-07T18:51:00.000-08:00

Today I got a call from Cody asking what I was doing.

I said "working what are you doing?"

"Driving. "

"Oh Yeah where?"

" Grand Junction..." yup Cody came home today. He had everything packed into his car. It was so cool to see him and hug him. He held his little sister and just beamed.

Laurie Jo and Josh came out and Randy got here after school and it felt good to have ALL my kids here together.

Wow, I can't stop smiling! (I may even cry again)

Family tradition

2008-02-04T22:28:00.000-08:00

When each of my kids were born, the first book I read to them was "Where the wild things are". Tonight we brought home our new baby daugther, Maggie Grace and that traditon continued, with a slight twist.

Randall metioned that he remebers me reading and rereading that story to him so he wanted to be the first to read it to his new baby sister. Wow I am so lucky. I will write more later but for now just wow.

Life changes

2008-01-25T14:14:00.000-08:00

It has been awhile since I posted anything. Life changes and moves on. This week I wanted to get up early each morning and write but I did not make it. Guess in order to get up at 6 am I need to get to bed before 1 am.
I now have my Wed nights back (sort of) I am no longer in the Bishopric but have been asked to be on the High Councl. I get the fun job of being the guy in charge of all the buildings and such. Its coll cuz I am the only one in te Stake that has keys to everything in every building.

Heath Ledger dies and that is sad. He was one I liked. As for writing...I often have pictured in my mind actors who would be in the movie about my book. He was one. I pictured him as my wizard Nilrem in the middle years...oh well he will be missed.

The power of words

2008-01-11T13:01:00.001-08:00

Words when put together correctly can have a lasting impact. Last night at the gym while I was walkin/running laps. I noticed on the one end of the track you could cut across the end and save yourself 10-15 feet. People were doing it. Nat was at another part of the gym but two phrases’ came to mind. Shakespeare said “This above all: to thine own self be true,And it must follow, as the night the day,Thou canst not then be false to any man.” From Hamlet . Also I once heard the following definition of trust.“Trust is being loyal to the one not present”So needless to say lap after lap I stayed in the lane and did not “cheat”.The power of words…wow

Poem for Nat

2008-01-09T12:06:00.000-08:00

Thank You
If all the flowers in the world could be gathered into just one bunch,
they still would not match the beauty I see when I look in your eyes.
If all the sunsets would combine in one great effort,
the thrill would not compare to the tug of my heart when I see you smile.
If all the music I love were compressed into one final song,
it could never match the joy I feel when I hear you laugh.
If all the actions I could ever do would join together in one moment,
I still would not feel as complete as
when I hold you in my arms.
Thank you.

Daily Writing (The roof is leaking)

2008-01-05T12:34:00.001-08:00

Last night we got a big, wet storm that hit. This morning after shoveling the snow I came in to find the swamp cooler leaking. This had leaked before but I thought I had fixed it. (Of course Nat was very kind in how she pointed this out) So I climbed up on the roof, moving snow out of my way as I made my way to the Swamp cooler. I was almost within reach of it (about 1 inch short) when I started sliding. (remember wet slushy snow and roof slopes do not work well together) I pushed my trusty broom down to help stop me sliding only to have it break. Well the thought that ran through my mind as I slide toward the patio roof that was never going to hold my weight was. "You didn't write yesterday" Several days ago I read a short story about Michael McLean a LDS Song writer that I love. He said that 25 years ago when he started to write songs he decided to write a song a day. Some were great, most stunk but he wrote daily. Every class or book I have taken or read about writing says we need to write daily. (My grateful blog doesn't count) I agreed with it and decided myself to rededicate myself to writing daily. So here I am sliding toward the edge of a rotting patio roof that I had started to tear down last summer and this is all that I can think of. Then the thought went through my mind "I hope the dog isn't out I don't want to land on her" Well I stopped sliding, picked up my broken good for nothing no longer trusty broom, and made my way off the roof.

When I went back up later to fix(hopefully) the leak (at least for the mean time) I used a nice metal pole.
Point of the story is...I am now starting to write something on my book idea as soon as I log off of here. (Then I have to go clean the basement).

Being Grateful

2008-01-03T14:28:00.000-08:00

Wow a new year has begun! New years eve was our normal, exciting, stay at home and watch TV! In fact Nat was asleep on the couch when I looked over at 11 pm. (I went to bed last year at 10 so what can I say!) It may sound boring but we’re not. We just love being at home. We went out to dinner earlier in the evening and just love being with each other at home.
Well as usual the first of the year brings new lists of things to change. One of my items is to be more grateful, as well as try to write daily. Well I stole a idea from my wife that helps with both of those things. Check out my new blog gratefulscottie. The link is on the side panel. Thanks for the idea Nat.

The Quest (My Mission Statement)

2008-01-02T14:27:00.000-08:00

My Quest( my mission statement for life)
To view each day as a chance to learn from yesterday, plan for tomorrow and act accordingly. To be as Don Quixote and view life as it should be and not as it is. To see each person for what is inside, not what they put out front. To go to sleep at night with the knowledge that my family and friends know I love them unconditionally and that I am proud they are part of my life. To know that if I should die, the words, actions and thoughts of today could stand as my monument. To keep my word no matter what. To be true to myself above all else. To reward accomplishments no matter how small or great they are. To see the magic in every sunset and enjoy it. To show kindness regardless of circumstance. To be able to smile no matter the complaints I may have. To attempt the absurd! (thus achieving the impossible from time to time.) This is my Quest.

Wii Boxing

2007-12-31T16:55:00.000-08:00

Last night we had a going away party for Cody. (he is taking a job in the adjoining state and moving) Besides the good food and great company we played Wii boxing. I got my butt kicked by Nat. (see slide show to the right) I didn't feel bad for long since the champ of the night was Codys 6 year old cousin. A little girl no less! She defeated everyone who challenged her. It was great to be together as family and have good food, good talk and lots of laughs!

Christmas 2007

2007-12-26T11:19:00.001-08:00

Well, Christmas is over for another year.. We had a great time! Nat made homemade caramel (the ones with cinnamon in are the best), and some type of chocolate pretzel nut thing that was way awesome.)
Of course this is not helping my diet at all. This year we had Randy home. (He spent the last 2 Christmas’s in the West Indies) he seemed excited about all the stuff and family.
The kids acted like they were 10 again, Calling me early on Christmas morning to say what they had gotten, talking very high pitched and fast, non stop don’t take a breath or even blink talk about everything they got then wanting to say what the other one got. (This was the boys, Jo, being more grown up and all didn’t start acting goofy till they got to our house.)
For a family gift we had bought Guitar Hero 3. That in it self is a story. We searched high and low the day after Thanksgiving for it but no avail. We did find #2 so bought it just so we had the game etc. Then the next week in El Paso TX I saw #3 for the 360 in Wal Mart. So I bought it. I had to carry it on the plane home since it would not fit in my suitcase and I did not want to risk checking it alone. Boy did I get comments and looks from some people. The funniest was from a lady who said “why are you carrying that.” She was wearing a huge Sombrero that I had seen the bridge people selling. I told her that “at least mine will fit in the over head bin,” smiled politely and boarded. She boarded a few moments later and as luck would have it sat right behind my seat. Good thing I smiled at her. I had to not giggle as I heard her the whole flight fighting with her huge hat and not wanting to wreck it etc. All the while above our heads my box lay alone and undisturbed.
So anyway, the kids had a blast playing Guitar Hero 3 with Nat and each other. It was truly a family gift.;
We also had a great time just being with family. We spend time with both Nat’s family and mine. (She beat her brother Dee on Guitar Hero as well.) Christmas eve night we were home alone and sat and watched Hairspray that I had bought for her knowing how she loves that movie.
All in all a great Christmas.

Driving in Mexico

2007-12-21T17:29:00.001-08:00

Well, Juarez has been interesting. Last night as I was headed back toward the border and the hotel I got pulled over for speeding. Now any one that knows me knows that I do not speed…I was going slower than the other cars by me but being in a bright shining new car I got from the rental place and being extremely American looking, I got pulled over. I only had 5 bucks on me so could not talk my way out of it. (If I had 10 or 20 I would not be posting now). Well, here in Mexico, they not only give you a ticket but take your license as well. I can go to the police station with 50 bucks and get my license back or do what others before me have done and forget about it and get a new license when I get home. My picture is a bit out dated since I still have my beard in it and it is 6 years old. So I guess I will have to go get a new one next week. Very sad that I didn’t think to pack more cash on me just for this type of problem.

Driving down here is crazy anyway. The rules you usually think are in place are only suggestions here. All the cars have dents and dings in them. As you head to the bridge that goes across the borader you have to watch people cutting in and out of the slow moving traffic. Not to mention the people selling stuff standing in the middle of the road. One guy had a sign saying he was deaf and blind. I saw him as he walked by the line I was in carrying his sign and looking around. About ½ a mile further there he was holding up the sign with thick glasses on and holding out his cup. Whole families work the bridge. Some have their kids begging others are selling candy or trinkets etc. Needless to say it is an experience.

Finding time to write (Traveling)

2007-12-20T14:25:00.000-08:00

So here I sit in sunny Juarez Mexico. Just over the border from El Paso Texas. My work brings me here now about once a month for a few days. I have a team of 13 people who work here. I also have a team of 19 people who work in India for me. I will probably go visit them this spring for a week.(But I am not looking forward to that trip) I also get to travel to New Jersey every 3 months or so. The point of all this is that I have said that I should use my travel time to write, but I never do. I used to travel a lot but never took advantage of it. About 5 years ago I spent 7 months unemployed and looking back should have used that time to work on writing more, but things come up. The only person to blame for not taking the time to write is myself. We are all given the same amount of time each day etc. This trip will be different.(Because I will make it so) I was able to write a bit while at the airport last night, but then all the people trying to get somewhere for Christmas kept catching my attention. (People watching is a big distraction while traveling.) Tomorrow I get the joy of taking my team out to eat at a Mexico Buffet…not really sure how that is going to turn out (since I do not speak Spanish) but should give me writing material if nothing else.

I must admit that in reading “Twilight” that I can see why so many women love this book. She has been able to capture romance in a very nice package. The feelings of the characters are real.
Nat and I were talking about this the other day and she mentioned that she can’t stop thinking about how the book ended. She wonders what the characters are doing now etc. That is the highest complement any writer could get! The characters are seen as real people to the reader.

What music is best to write to?

2007-12-15T08:27:00.001-08:00

For me it depends on the mood I need to get in. I love soundtracks. Man from Snowy river always transports me to mountains and horses. Gladiator = fighting. Some of the others are Braveheart to just get in the mood to think fantasy, Conan (movie 1) soundtrack for a feeling of just power, Lord of the Rings for sweeping battle scenes. Riverdance for a Celtic kind of mood.(as well as the Celtic Women whenever I need to get out of a bad mood). I also will listen to Clannad whenever I want to work on my Robin Hood story.
I will pay close attention when we go to a show on how the music and the feeling of the scene goes together. One of the best is Pirates 1, the first time we see Jack Sparrow. This song is repeated in the 3rd movie with a similar scene(bigger ship) and the same music strain. Yeah I notice those things.
In my head I have several scenes I have written or plan to write that have specific music that goes with them. One is the song “Conquistador” by Maynard Ferguson. It involves a wedding, the bride being stolen on dragon back and then the brides true love chasing after her on his own winged mount.(not sure if it is a dragon or he has wings himself) the music just fits. Oh yeah, theme from Rocky is another great image from the film that will always stick with that music. You can hear the trumpets now can’t you. You can see him dancing on the top of those stairs. I though so, you all have your own music that goes on in your heads.

Pet Peeves.

2007-12-14T11:53:00.000-08:00

So Nat and I went to the Christmas Concert with the Mormon Tabernacle choir and their special guests, the Kings singers, last night. It was great. We try to get tickets and go every year. This was by far the best they have done yet! It was cold, boy was it cold. As we were walking in the crowd I once again realized why I hate crowds. People are just stupid!!!! They push and shove, they stop right in the middle of the walkway and glare at you when you bump into them. (Ok, so sometime you want to bump into them extra harder, cuz you have been trying to get around them for the last 5 minutes and they are weaving side to side and wont let you push on.) A lot of people act like they are entitled to do what they want to and everyone else needs to just work around them. This happens any time there is a crowd. The biggest problem people…women with strollers. You would think there would be a common sense in pushing a stroller but no! You would think they would be considerate of where they are shoving it since it is holding their child but no…they just push and then go “Oh sorry I just didn’t see you.”
Well, in all fairness the crowd wasn’t that bad, but it was still a crowd. But while in the concert my other pet peeve came up, people talking while the show is going. It is times like that I wish I was a real wizard and knew magic. I would practice my silence spells so I could make people stop talking as well as speed some of them up as they walked. Oh well, no magic like that around, although my glare is pretty good at shutting people up. That skill has been worth the pratice!

The Genius of Disney

2007-12-12T21:59:00.001-08:00

The other night I was flipping through the channels and came across High School Musical 2 playing on Disney. It was about 3/4th s the way through. I sat for a minute and before I knew it the show was over. Even though I have seen it 3-4 times I still sat and watched it. The same happens any time Grease is on. No matter what part it starts at you end up sitting there and before you know it Danny and Sandy are taking the T-Bird into the sky. Several other shows do that. Disney’s Suite life, Hanna Montana, or Buffy, Newsies and Goonies to name a few. My wife has the same weakness for Reality TV. It doesn’t matter that she has seen the show before, some she watches again and again. That is sheer genius on the part of the writers or maybe just being stupid on my part. Doesn’t matter, I enjoy the shows no matter the reason.

Journals of Sherwood vol 1 Intro

2007-12-12T14:01:00.000-08:00

After living 92 years, the cold of winter doesn’t leave my bones until mid day in the height of summer . But, I am grateful to be able to feel the cold. It means I still have time.
I take pen in hand to fulfill a promise I made to my Lessal. She made me promise that before I come to meet her, to tell my story, to tell the truth about the legends, the truth about the man.
Soon, the gate will open in the court yard, River, my trusted companion, will bark a welcome. Small feet will be heard running up the path through the door and into my arms burying my face in kisses and hugs. The shouts of “Grandpapa, tell me a story” will be heard. One look into that Lessal eyes, and all my defenses will be shattered. I will be forced to put the pen down and obey delaying the promises fulfillment.
Many know the legend; how the man became hunted, the impossible shot that won not only the contest but the heart of a maid. They know how I met him and of our friendship. They know the names of some of the key players, but not all. They know how he opposed the tyrant, gave aid to those in need and the King returning to power. Many have heard but they don’t know. They stop at happily ever after.
Some know the stories that these legends are based on. Some know people who knew these stories first hand. But, they don’t know the truth. I am the last that can say, I knew the man. I alone know the sorrow that filled him, the constant battle within concerning his status of “hero”. The many traps that were set to snare him, his escape from each, except one. The concern he had for his men. The return of the tyrant and the promises that were forgotten by the King. I know the joy of family that consoled us in that time of darkness. I know the truth of his death. I alone know the traitors names and how, through selfishness a family was tortured and butchered. Images that even now haunt my sleep, only to be stopped by those brought froth from the touch of my ever present staff. The same staff I had as a boy, the same I fought side by side with him. The same staff that caved in the head of the traitor, oh the joy I felt as her brains splattered on my face and arms. Blood splashing around my feet as the smell of his guts spilling out filled the air. Even now, so many years later, I still feel satisfaction and a small sense of justice.
My Lessal made me promise to tell my story, so that the truth would always be there for our children. I have done that. They and their children, even their children’s children know the stories, but little Robert is not old enough to learn them, and I fear that before he can, I will be gone, the truth leaving with me. Little Lessal knows them all, but being 7 she my forget, so I feel the need to write while I can.
I hear the gate opening and Rivers bark. Soon sunshine will fill this room and I will be forced to set this pen down.
I have been known by several names, but only a few hold any meaning for me. I was born in a small village called Lyttle, and given the name of Jon by my father. My little Lessal calls me Grandpapa, My beloved Lessal called me, husband. Others, giant or fiend, but the one that fills me with pride, still bringing tears to my eyes, is simply this; Friend, of Robin of Locksley. I am Little John and this is my story.

Going to Spouses Christmas Party

2007-12-12T11:10:00.000-08:00

Last night we went to Natalie’s work Christmas party. She has been there just over 5 years and her company gets together with spouses and families, 3 times a year. Christmas, Buzz Baseball game and the summer picnic.
As a spouse it is always interesting to go to these things and see people who were there last time and then the new people that my wife talks about at work. For the first 5 years of our marriage we both worked at the same place so it made these types of get together events a bit different.
I have to admit her work is like a family. They are small enough that the workers know each other and seem happy to see each other.
So while there we got the salad. As usual with the salad we had a slice of a beet on the plate. No one ever eats the beets! They are like a color addition to help break up the green of all the lettuce. Well, one spouse that was there said he loved beets, so we all passed his plate around, added our beet to it and watch him eat them. I offered to do that with the cake that was there for dessert but no one took me up on the offer.

Nat also created little bags of chocolate as a “favor” for each plate. Now this is why women are put in charge of these things, guys do not care about adding a favor to the place setting. Let alone weather the bag and bow match and certainly don’t care if they are all placed in the exact same spot on each of the 100+ places! Anyway, I digress, the place was only ½ full,(which brings up another rant…for those of you that don’t think it matters if you go or not, especially after you said you would be there-and you know you are this type-don’t realize want a ripple effect it has on the planner and trying to get companies to do it again)Ok down off the box---as everyone was leaving it was funny to see people grab extra of the little things to give to family not there, or a primary class, or the best was to send to the MTC since their son had just entered it. So I guess the little things really matter.

Let it snow and then lose power

2007-12-09T20:23:00.000-08:00

SO it started snowing Friday night and it looked so great. Then Saturday morning at 10 am the power went out. It stayed out until 2:30 AM SUNDAY MORNING!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Good luck we had the gas fireplace. Randy curled up on the couch under a few blankets to read a book. Nat sat by the fireplace in a blanket and a book. I got under blankets and grabbed a book. We spent the day reading. It makes you appreciate the gadgets we have as well as the difference a good book makes.

We had a dance to take pictures at Saturday night so Nat put curlers in her hair and sat by the fireplace to have it dry. She looked so cute sitting there reading her vampire love story with her hair up etc.
Good thing it came on or we might have had to miss church (not really)

So I got thinking about my next set of stories. I am so in love with the Robin Hood story. But I think it would be great to read it from others point of view. So I will post some of these ideas here.
I also have ideas on a twist of the Christmas story. That one has been bouncing around for 8 years now and really comes on strong this time of year. Basically called "The Inn Keepers Son". The Christmas story told from the eyes of 2 10 year old boys. One the son of the Inn Keeper with dreams of being a Roman soldier and one a Shepard boy with nothing to dream about. The story starts at the inn and follows them thru-out their lives to end at the cross where they meet one last time.

The problem of having lots of ideas is that unless you write them down you will lose them.