Pioneers are cool

Wow. The trek is done. I went. I pulled. I sweated. I loved it. Pulling a handcart 25 miles is one of the best things I've ever done. It certainly is one of the hardest physical feats I've accomplished. Once you walk in the pioneers steps, learn about what they went through, and actually experience 1/100th of what they went through, then you have a slim idea of what faith really is. Then you get an idea of what sacrifice is. I wish everyone could, and would have the chance to go. I honestly didn't really want to go, but I am so glad I did. I wish all of us went when we were kids. It probably would have been even more powerful.
I would encourage everyone to read about the Martin and Willie handcart companies, so you know what they did for you. You have a totally different view of what it means to "grow up in the bubble" when you realize hundreds died so we could. They were gathering to Zion so they could have the chance to live with people of their own faith. Many of us have that chance because of them. I have a pioneer ancestor named Elijah Knapp Fuller, and owe him my life in Utah. Having this experience has made me rethink being critical of life here. Let's not be so critical of living with less than perfect LDS people here. We are SO privileged. Many were buried in unmarked, snow-covered, shallow graves thousands of miles from their homes so that I could enjoy Zion, and I want them to know it is appreciated more than they ever know.

Rx Bandits

In case you didn't know i really like the Rx Bandits they have three new songs up on their website www.rxbandits.com

Crushing Destroyer
Only For The Night
In Her Drawer

They totally rock!

Societal Stratification by Marriage

"Marriage is both a cause and consequence of economic, cultural, and psychological stratification in American society."

What are the implications of this statement? I find it interesting that marriage is a consequence of stratification. Meaning what, exactly? That an individual is prompted to marry in order to economically stabilize? To "marry up" and climb the social ladder? Or maybe couples affect the economic climate due to joint incomes, creating a new kind of class.

What of the "cause of . . . psychological stratification"? Perhaps this is in reference to the way offspring are nurtured (or not) and, say, in reference to the effects of divorce on children. This brings into consideration the argument of nature vs. nurture when speaking of a child's (or individual's) psychological wellbeing; in this case, it sounds like nurture is the active party.

And cultural stratification . . . I can only guess as to what this may mean. Maybe an example is an interracial couple, bringing together different cultural traditions and ways of life. Their union creates a blended culture all its own.

Maybe I'm way off base on all of these. They are just my thoughts an interpretations. At any rate, it's a provocative quote. Any thoughts?

Moving....$#@!

'nuf said.

Tee hee

Something for a little smile in your day:

A little old lady answered a knock on the door one day, only to be confronted by a well-dressed young man carrying a vacuum cleaner. "Good morning, " said the young man. "If I could take a couple of minutes of your time, I would like to demonstrate the very latest in high-powered vacuum cleaners. "Go away!" said the old lady. "I haven't got any money! I'm BROKE!" and she proceeded to close the door. Quick as a flash, the young man wedged his foot in the door and pushed wide open. "Don't be too hasty!" he said. "Not until you have at least seen my demonstration." And with that, he emptied a bucket of horse manure onto her hallway carpet. "If this vacuum cleaner does not remove all traces of this horse manure from your carpet, Madam, I will personally eat the remainder. The old lady stepped back and said, "Well I hope you've got a really good appetite, because they cut off my electricity this morning."

What part of broke do you not understand!

You have no idea how important you are....

We mostly hear about women, but men.... you have no idea how important you are....


"Brethren, noble fatherhood gives us a glimpse of the divine
attributes of our Father in Heaven. A father should be many things. He
should magnify his priesthood and be an example of righteousness. In
companionship with his wife, he should be the source of stability and
strength for the whole family. He should be the protector and the provider
and the champion of the members of his family. Much of his love for his
children should flow from his example of love, concern, and fidelity for
their mother. By his uncompromising example he should instill character
into his children."

( James E. Faust, "Them That Honour Me I Will Honour," Ensign, May 2001, 46)

Bad drivers . . .grrr

Found on MSN today:

At least one of every five drivers doesn't know when to use bright lights, how to follow directional arrows or when highways are the most slippery, results from a national driver's test show. GMAC Insurance administered a 20-question test -- similar to a traditional licensing test at the local DMV – to 5,288 drivers and released the results last week. Of those tested, nearly 10% were unable to answer enough questions correctly to achieve a passing score of 70.If the test results are any guide, America's pedestrians are in deep, deep trouble.
20% of drivers do not know that a pedestrian has the right of way at a marked or unmarked crosswalk.

1 in 3 drivers don’t usually stop for pedestrians – even if they’re in a crosswalk or at a yellow light.

One-third admit they speed up to make a yellow light even when pedestrians are in the crosswalk.

Frisbee + Burning Lungs = Good Times!

I will have to follow up Scott's blog with a little shout out to my homies. You guys and gals are the crunkiest squad of dope nannies this side of Compton. We have to make stuff like Frisbee and other stuff a regular occurance. Hiking, Axis and Allies, and Scatterball are all on the horizon. We can do it soon, or put it on hold until our trek, and Scotty's trip are done. I loves you guys. And although I love talking, I love actually doing stuff with you's more.