Resurrection

Glass of Random* is alive again!

I considered creating a new blog, but there's no real reason, so, now that I'm again in a creative writing class, I'm posting creative writing again! Funny how that works.

I just made 2 posts, both writing exercises, nothing to sing or scream about, but I'm proud enough of them and unashamed enough of them to have them visible for anyone who wants to read them. Plus it helps the creative juices get flowing, and I'm a big fan of creative juice.

Our class has only done writing exercises and prompts so far, so that's all there is. I'm tempted to post a small tiny sketch I wrote while freewriting, and I might, but for now, there's just one entry called "This Journal is..." and one entitled "Titles of Stories I Will Never Write."

Let me know if you read them, if you want to read them, if you like them, hate them, are ambivalent towards them and want to read more.

Now if you'll excuse me, I have to get back to writing.

*(glassofrandom for those of you unfamiliar with it, is Tracie's and my fiction blog. (mostly mine) It's viewable by invitation only, but we're not stingy with invitations if you'd like to view it, let me know)

Classman

School is back! Oh, yeah! I thought you said that you wouldn't post about school until after having several classes. Classman says a lot of things!

Thursday I had Digital Prepress. It's one of the classes I took last semester, so I pretty much knew what to expect. The teacher wasn't there, so I guess I was wrong. I plan to ask him if he'll accept assignments I did last semester, if so, this shouldn't be too hard. Though it shouldn't be as hard as last semester anyway.

Today (Friday) I had Creative Writing. After reading horror stories and hate mail re: the teacher, I was quite surprised how fun and smart she seems. It's possible it could just be an act, but I like her and the course overview enough to give it a try. I already have 2 writing assignments and I'm looking forward to both.

I'm starting to feel like I'm going to be in school forever, as I've been in and out of formal education for about 24 years now. Fortunately, that 24 years started in preschool, not college for 24 years, as I would owe more money and know a lot less than I do.

For our first in-class assignment, she had us write a paragraph starting one of these sentences (we had to choose which one):

The kind of literature I would be is a ______________. (If I wrote this, I would have said an unfinished novel).

To me, the greatest literary work ever is ______________. (If I wrote this, I would have said Oscar Wilde.)

A creative writer's job is all about ______________. (If I wrote a this a one, I would have said concision.)

Creative writing is a lot like ______________. (If I wrote this, I would have said marriage.)

Which one did I actually write about? What do you think? The last one. I don't have the paper with me because I turned it in (one of the problems with assignments, the teacher has to read them). Here's the gist of how I compared the two. Like a marriage, creative writing is a lot of work, but can be very fulfilling. It can be fun or dreadful at times. Like marriage, creative writing is often best when you're doing it with someone else, (get your mind out of there) and your stories can be compared to your children. (You writers out there know what I'm talking about). You love them, you're proud of them, and there are times you can't believe you made something so beautiful.

If you had to, which one would you write about? Or answer all of them, I want to know! No, really, I do. Stop looking at me like that and just reply! Come on, do it! Don't ask why.

Wyld Weekend

This weekend we had parties every day. Excellent!

Friday, our friend Matt turned 30 and we had a fun BBQ and volleyball party at the park. Morgan and I spent most of the time exploring/trying to make sure our son didn't hurt himself too much while exploring, and Tracie played volleyball. A good time was had by all.

Saturday was Morgan's birthday party! As my young men's advisor/president said to me many times, the adage proved true: "if it wasn't for the last minute we'd never get anything done." Ok, it's not an adage, he was talking specifically about me. There, you happy now? So at about 12:00 (the party started at 2) I went looking for balloons, baking powder for the cake and a few last minute supplies. The dollar store only sold metallic balloons, Smiths was OUT of baking powder, but Macey's had everything we needed. At about 1:00 I went to the clubhouse to set everything up, as Tracie and Morgan were still getting ready. At breakleg speed, I set up the streamers, animal stickers, table, DVD setup, food, beverages, balloons and everything.

Most of our guests arrived before the man of the hour showed up, guess he wanted to make an entrance. We had him open presents, (I'm writing this at work, so I'll give a full inventory of the swag later) he got tons of toys, copious amounts of clothes, and a bevy of books. Surprising to me, he actually seemed interested in the toys, not just the boxes/bags they came in. We then watched the DVD Tracie made the night before, a slide show of Morgan's first year. It was really well done, and no I'm not just saying that, even forgetting the fact that she did it in a few hours. We'll have to show you, those who haven't seen.

Then came the traditional baby eating the cake by himself. On drop cloth and in high chair, Morgan attacked that cake like nobody's business. I was surprised at how much he had eaten, until his mom removed him from his seat, and the equivalent of 2 large slices of cake lay in crumbs where he sat. (btw, Tracie made him a yellow cake from scratch with real whipped cream and strawberries. This just in, I'm turning one next year.) She cut the cake into a letter "M" for "Mighty Mighty Mister Mormon Morgan Man"... or just Morgan. That about does it for the party, then we (I) rested, our dear friends mostly did all the clean up themselves, and Tracie and I staggered home for a much deserved nap. Thoroughly exhausted, we decided to order pizza and ate it all up. One down, seventeen to go. After that, Morgan, throw your OWN birthdays! ;)

Sunday (we did go to church, thank you) was the annual McNeil family father's day get together. We had banana splits and visiting. Morgan rode his first swing (conclusion: he loved it) as well as had fun adventuring Aunt Sharon's backyard and navigating a hill (conclusion: he was going down and there wasn't anything he could do about it).

I am exhausted, and I think I need a break. Unfortunately, I'm getting my wish. This week, Tracie and Morgan are going to Vernal to visit Tracie's sister for three days. Good: no baby. Bad: no baby, no Tracie. I'll miss them, but it'll help me appreciate them more, right? What else is sad is that on THURSDAY I'm starting up school again. I might drop the creative writing class so I can have a less insane schedule and see my babes more often, I mean because I read that the teacher of the creative writing class isn't very good. (One review from ratemyproffesor.com: 'This teacher will make you hate writing.' Nice.)

I'm tempted to drop it before going, as there were 2 decent reviews and about 30 scathing reviews, but I want to give the teacher a try, mostly because I love writing and want to give her a challenge. More of that as it unfolds, so how was your weekend?

I love my job

My team lead and manager pulled me aside to meet with them in another room. Thoughts of possible trouble I could be in raced through my head, not helped by their somber expressions.

"Am I in trouble? Am I not working hard enough? Did I inadvertently offend a customer again? Am I taking too many days off? Are they upset at having to deal with someone with my special needs?"

No. They wanted to tell me what a great job they think I'm doing, and to reinforce how committed they are to seeing me succeed as well as heal.

I love those guys, I love my job and I love this company.

My Boy

With his first birthday being tomorrow, I thought now would be a good time to talk about the incomparable Morgan Danger B.

He is just about the coolest baby I could have imagined. He is perfectly content (at times) to play with whatever toy he's currently looking at. This toy is most often a remote control or cell phone. (Don't get me started on the keyboard. Don't.) The times he's not, he's the most curious little boy in the world. I thought I understood curiosity, I was wrong. He gets into EVERYTHING. It's remarkable how much curiosity overlaps with mischief. Although it's nice to live in a home where I am (finally) not the master mess maker of the house.

He loves being chased, I'm treated to squeals of laughter and falling over trying to get away if I hustle after him saying "Daddy's gonna getcha!" And he loves the "throwing baby in the air and catch him before he hits the ground" game, which is good. If I had a baby who didn't, I don't know how we would bond. Though, it's fair to say he loves it because we've never overlapped that game with the "throw baby in the air and don't catch him before he hits the ground" game.

He's quite skilled at peek-a-boo. He instinctively seems to know that the dad-shaped blanket or towel on the couch is hiding dad, but he humors me anyway.

His little teeth are just the cutest. He's started this thing (hard to describe, but I'll try my best) where he smiles, drops his jaw, and breathes in audibly. Hard to describe, but just the cutest funniest thing ever. His hair is getting long, we've never cut it, and that's largely due to me. It's just so darn cute, I'm mortally afraid to have two knives on a pivot near my son's head, and it could be a little bit of honorable jealousy. If I can't have hair, my son's going to, dang it! (At least until he's older. Genetics and old wives tales don't paint a picture of a hairy headed middle-aged Morgan).

I've said it in conversation several times, but I don't think I've ever said it in my blog. (If I have, well, I'm saying it again) the best thing about my recent surgery and recovery hasn't been feeling less pain. (though that's nice too). The best thing was being able to be with my son so much more. (And wife, of course). I'm going back to school next week, some days I'll be gone at class and/or work until 9:30, his bedtime, and I'll miss him terribly. But, school isn't forever, and I'll just make sure the nights I do come home before bedtime are at least twice as fun to make up for it.

Being a parent has been amazing, and I'm not done yet. (And according to some (Bill Cosby) I'm not even a parent yet). Tracie and I have been talking about our lives changing, and the ups and downs, and how drastically different our lives have become in the past year. I know many/most of you are parents, so you may not care or find most of/any of this new or interesting, but I'm posting it anyway. Life before Morgan was a lifetime ago. (Literally: his). It's probably one of the most polarizing occurrences ever in my life. (Beating the near decade holding champion, my mission). I never thought I could love someone so much and not stand him so much, sometimes simultaneously. I never thought the same decision could be among the best and worst I've ever made. (To have a baby, as well as everyday choices on raising said baby). I've never been so overjoyed and annoyed with one person, even beating out (narrowly) Tracie. ;) Sometimes I want to smother him with kisses, others I just want to smother him.

Like his mother, he gives me some of the best gifts in the world. Unconditional love, endless joy and laughter, and motivation to improve myself and be a better person. The biggest reason why I decided to get back to church was because of them. I want to be an eternal family, and if boring speakers and recycled lessons are the way to do it, then that's just what I'll do.

Happy Birthday to my little boy of joy, your father loves you and will do everything he can to help you grow into your greatest potential.

Sdrawkcab

I don't know where this came from, but it's funny.

If you watch the movie "Jaws" backwards, it's a movie about a shark that keeps throwing up people until they have to open a beach.

If you watch LOST backwards, you realize it's the same thing as if you watched it forward.

If you watch Heroes backwards, you realize it's getting progressively better over time.

If you watch Friends backwards, Courteney Cox seems to be getting older somehow. I think it's the hair.

If you watch House backwards, it's still never lupus.

If you watch Rambo backwards, it's about Sylvester Stallone healing people with his magical bullet vacuum.

And repairing helicopters with nothing but a bow and arrow.

If you watch Fight Club backwards, you see Ed Norton turn from a crazy street person to a successful productive member of society.

If you watch the 1997 theatrical release of Episode IV backwards, Greedo shot first.

If you watch Memento backwards, it makes complete sense.

If you watch The Lord of the Rings Trilogy backwards, it's a saga about a little guy who gets a cool ring from a volcano and spends the rest of the films walking home.

If you watch Pulp Fiction backwards, you may be taken back by the number of times you hear "Kuff" and "Rekufathum."

And it's still not in the right order.

If you watch Buffy the Vampire Slayer backwards, Spike gets way cooler. Shoot, everyone does.

And Dawn inexplicably disappears, and no one seems to care.

If you watch Firefly backwards, it still ends way too soon.

Same as Arrested Development, but then a lot of the jokes don't make sense until later.

If you watch "Curious Case of Benjamin Button" backwards, you'd go "why in the world are the focusing on the only normal guy in the movie?"

If you watch "Forrest Gump" backwards, it's a good version of Benjamin Button!

if you watch the Highlander backwards, there can always be two.

If you watch an episode of the Cosby Show backwards, everyone laughs and then suddenly realizes they have mediocre upper-class problems.

if you play country music backwards, the singer gets his truck, wife, and dog back and gives up drinking.

Even Better than Ram Fat

So yes, we went to church on Sunday. All. Three. Hours.

Hooray! We did it!~

Before I begin my church travelogue and feelings re: it, I'd like to thank everyone for their comments on my last 2 posts. I am grateful for the wisdom and love you shared. I expected to receive generic "you can do it!" advice, and what I got was actually helpful, meaningful, sincere. I especially was grateful to see that I'm not the only one admitting to be bored in church.

NOW, the church travelogue.

We went with Brett and Charlotte to their ward, as they live so close to us, and that way we had 1) friends/family we know to attend with and hold us accountable for going, and 2) someone to watch and take Morgan from time to time.

All in all, it was a good Sunday, long and tiring (tiring from chasing after my son for most of second hour and all of third hour) less boring than usual, but most of all, it was a blessing to partake of the sacrament again.

My problems haven't been solved, but I'm glad I went, and that means something. Sacrament meeting was dull, mostly because the bishop just called up random youth to bear testimony of youth conference. It may not have been dull, but either the sound system wasn't loud enough or the speakers weren't loud enough to be understood over Morgan and other baby vocalists in the middle of their musical performance of "Infant Pandemonium: Movement Six."

Second hour was my favorite, partially because Charlotte and Brett watched Morgan most of the time (and a random stranger Morgan sat happily with for around ten minutes). Sunday School was on Saul's downfall as king of Israel. One of my favorite OT stories, (not featuring Elijah) I was going to list the pros and cons of both the instructor and their teaching method, and how I feel it can be a summation of my feelings towards the church, but I'll just say the instructor was a self-proclaimed Kindergarten teacher with all that entails.

Instead of a criticism of this particular teacher, I'll discuss the majority of Sunday School teaching methods that I have difficulty with. It seems that all many teachers do is have us read a series of scriptures with as little interaction as possible and then teach us the story again, as if we'd never heard of Saul or Samuel, or perhaps it changed since last time. (It hadn't). I love the scriptures, I think they are a gift from God and the word of God and treat them as such. However, in Sunday school, rote reading of the holy word in monotone King James' English can get me bogged down and distracted at best. Especially when the teacher has people read the same verses. (No joke, it was something like "you, read 1 Samuel 13:15-20, now you, read 1 Samuel 13:17-18. You over there, read Samuel 13:21-24, and you, read Samuel 13:23." They just read it! Sorry)

It's hubris and I need to humble myself, but I think a large reason why I have trouble listening to the lessons in church is I think I could teach them better. I've been in the church all my life and studied the scriptures quite extensively, enough to say I know how to feast upon the word. And I do. But it just gets boring when we read a handful of scriptures, teacher might ask us to say "what it means to us," or some other vague question that shows they either weren't listening or don't understand, and then tells us a story we already know. In short, I think my issues and boredom stem from lack of good teachers. You know, kind of like college.

I don't want to just come to church for the sacrament. Though that's the prime important reason to go, I want to enjoy Sunday School and Priesthood. (Don't get me started on Priesthood. That rant may deserve its own post). I've been to Sunday School lessons with amazingly excellent teachers, you'd think with the concentration of Mormons here they'd call some better ones.

Now the good. I'd like to talk about what I love about the Samuel, Saul and the Amalekites story.

For those of you who don't know or would like a refresher, here's the gist: (Read 1 Samuel 15 for the actual version)

The LORD tells Samuel the Prophet to exterminate the Amalekites. Samuel, the LORD's mouthpiece relays the information to Saul, the King. Kill em all. Men, Women, children, babies. Ox, sheep, camels. Kill. them. all.

Simple, right?

Saul goes and does just that. Kills em all. Well, mostly. Saul decides to spare the king, Agag. He also thinks it's a good idea to save the fattest and best of the animals to make sacrifice. Samuel and the LORD don't.

Samuel tells Saul: (1 Sam 15:22) "...to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams."

Samuel kills Agag, Saul has his kingship revoked.

Good story, right?

One thing she kind of touched on but not really discussed, was Saul's real sin. The man wanted to sacrifice these animals to God, a commandment, right? (Nevermind the fact that killing them in His name could be viewed as sacrifice, then he would obey AND sacrifice). Saul's real sin was thinking he knew better than the LORD.

Is this my real sin? Quite often (when active, and again yesterday) I thought "I could teach this lesson better." However, I wasn't called to teach this lesson. I was called to listen, not judge. Maybe the rest of the class didn't know the story of Saul and Samuel until it was taught in Sunday School. Maybe I could learn a thing from Samuel, to let the LORD know His servant heareth. (1 Sam 3:10) To hearken, and obey. But it's hard. It's difficult to listen to a lesson and story I know without being bored. School is a place of learning, but on Sunday they're teaching stuff I already know. Is my lesson to listen when bored and not think I'm above it all? Should I just pull a Henry Eyring?

The story of Henry Eyring (one of them. I'm sure there are others. At least the one I'm referring to) goes something like: An exceptionally boring speaker expounded on some Gospel subject. The mood of the congregation ranged from dangerously bored to fighting to stay awake. Someone noticed Henry Eyring, scientist, genius and father and namesake of our current First Counselor of the First Presidency, that he was beaming at the speaker's remarks. Beaming. After the meeting, his son inquired if they were indeed in the same meeting. Here's what he said:

"Since I was a very young man, I have taught myself to do something in a church meeting. When the speaker begins, I listen carefully and ask myself what it is he is trying to say. Then, once I think I know what he is trying to accomplish, I give myself a sermon on that subject.
Since then, I have never been to a bad meeting."

While this perspective may allow for the reign of the boring teachers to continue, it makes the responsibility of my church involvement mine. Yes, I'm bored. No, it's not my fault, that person can't teach worth beans. But whether or not they're Socrates or little old Sister Johannasbergsteinheimersen, I can proactively affect my enjoyment. If I'm so smart, (and I am) maybe I'll just teach myself. Which is what I did in Elder's Quorum, when not chasing after a curious Morgan. But that's worthy of another post. Maybe.

In conclusion, yes. I'm very glad I went. No, it didn't magically solve all my problems, but I didn't expect or even want it to. (Well, it would have been nice...)

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Spirituality > Religion

This will be the second act to my religious trilogy of posts, the third hopefully being written on Monday after going back to church the day before.

On my mission I came across many wonderful (and not so much) individuals whose excuse in not going or belonging to a church stemmed from the belief that Spirituality was far more important than Religion. A relationship with the Divine is better than a relationship with any minister or religious creed.

Who can argue with that? That being said, my response to them was always "Yes, but the best way to increase your Spirituality and relationship with God is through Religion." Presumably the right religion, and conveniently the one I was preaching.

I guess I need to go back and analyze that Elder Austin response. I'm sure some of you are thinking "That's it! Exactly! Way to go, Austin! That's what I'm trying to say! Religion/attendance doesn't equal Spirituality! Religion/attendance leads to Spirituality! I couldn't have said it better myself!" The others (or maybe the same people) are saying "What a hypocrite!"

Because I do believe Spirituality is more important than Religion. It will matter more to God (and to myself) what I did infinitely more than who I was. However, what better way to begin my weekly efforts in striving towards perfection than taking time out of a hectic week in worship with those with beliefs similar to mine? What better way to learn to live Christ's example than study and application? Go to church once a week.

And no, I'm not suggesting a Rameumptom. I'm saying what you already know. Austin, once you start going back to church, it will enrich the rest of your life as well. It gets you started on the right path. You are filling up your cup at the eternal well, and the living water will last you the rest of the week. (Mixed/broken metaphors there, but you see where I'm going, right?)

One of the reasons why I posted what I did in my last blog entry was I was stating how I felt, and how I wanted to change.

Church bores me. I don't feel like I get any improvement or growth out of it. And I want to. What's the problem? And it's not that I'm coming with a closed heart. I'm not expecting to have my spirituality poured down my throat. Sometimes church is boring. If I ignore the fact and go, I'll soon be right back here, with you shocked that I've gone inactive again.

What I've apparently forgotten is that those three hours are not church. Or, in other words, church is not three hours of attendance. They're not a Rameumptom. We are not just supposed to show up, say a prayer, sing a song, recite "Holy holy God" in our own way and go home, ignoring our religion the rest of the week. (Well, I don't do any of that at all, being inactive. But what I'm driving at is that's not the purpose of church, now is it?) The purpose for church is realigning ourselves to our eternal purpose, our goal of reaching perfection in the footsteps of the Savior.

*****

On my mission, we taught that church attendance is like a fire. Everyone has a branch or log, alight with the flame of burning testimony. When we bring them together, such as in Sunday worship, the fire glows brighter. On their own, the fires die out.
A nice metaphor, and I disagree. At least in regards to myself. My fire of testimony thankfully hasn't extinguished. I argue the case that my lack of going hasn't affected my beliefs one way or another. I still believe all the important things, the Articles of Faith and testimony bearing checklist. But I felt that the fire analogy wasn't accurate to my situation. In going to church, I didn't feel my torch of testimony getting any brighter or dimmer, so I stopped going.

What I didn't realize was it's not about getting your testimony torch to burn brighter, it's about using it to see where to go. Church sets you on the path to righteousness the rest of the week. You're a Christian every day, every minute, not for the time you're in the Lord's house. (Thought hopefully you're one there as well.)

It's not about increasing testimony, it's about getting back on track with God.

I need a better reason than what I have to get back to church. I don't want to go back because I fear it will be the same boring, hollow experience I've felt in the past. I don't think my "torch" of testimony will brighten myself or brighten any others by going. And while being a good example to my son and wanting him to have the Gospel may be a good reason, it's certainly not the best reason to return to activity. What I want is to want to go to church again.

But, I think I'll have to apply the lesson of Alma the Younger and just plant that faith seed. Get my inactive butt off to sacrament and Sunday school and priesthood, attend with a broken heart, contrite spirit, empty cup, alert mind, listening ears, tight-fitting suit and untied shoes, (and metal hip) and leave the rest to the Lord.

All That I Have Seen

Some of you may know Tracie and I have dwindled into inactivity with the Church. Not due to any personal issues, offenses real or perceived, more out of laziness coupled with a demanding baby and other excuses.

I'm not posting this to ask you to tell me why I should go back, because I know I should. And I'm not posting this to give you carte blanche to tell me why I'm going to Hell, I have better reasons than you do in that regard.

I'm posting because I feel like it, and to sort of sort through my own feelings of faith as well.

I know the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the only true and living church on the face of the whole earth. That being said, one of the reasons why I stopped going wasn't laziness. I stopped going when I stopped feeling the Spirit while at church. I'm sure it can be traced to my own inadequacies and dozing off during talks, but I stopped seeing the value in attending. I didn't get anything out of it, and I know I wasn't helping anyone else get anything out of it.

When that happened, little things like boring callings (being one of eight ward librarians is a fast way to feel superfluous) or members of the bishopric forgetting your names or what you talked about the week before, start piling up and making it really easy to stay home. What's easier, to decide to stay in your pj's on Sunday and make omelets then catch up on cleaning up, or getting dressed in ill-fitting suits because you're fat, asking your wife to put your shoes and socks on because you can't reach (not due to fatness, thank goodness, but due to recent hip surgery), hear talks that sound like Charlie Brown's parents, feel ignored and invisible during Sunday school and priesthood?
I know, these are excuses, I'm very aware of the fact, thank you. I'm saying this because I want to change, and they say the first step to overcoming a problem is admitting you have the problem.

Because now, I'm not just missing church for myself, I have a son that I want to grow up in the Gospel. While I may have issues about certain doctrinal points, it hasn't influenced or wavered my faith. (I thought it was waivered, but spell check didn't). I have a background in the Gospel and scriptures to keep me strong, but Morgan doesn't. Therefore, I am making the commitment now to get back to church for Morgan's sake. If I have to, I'll read my scriptures while people try to expound gospel truths while relating them to skiing trips or exclamation marks. Because I want him to have a foundation of truth that Tracie and I can't provide alone.

But then, what of my doctrinal hang ups? It makes me wonder is that the reason why I stopped feeling the Spirit? I don't know exactly why our church instituted polygamy. I don't know why the leaders of the church then outlawed it. I don't know why it took us so long to give blacks the Priesthood, and if there will be a similar revelation someday towards homosexuals. I don't understand the disparity of preaching equality between the sexes, then the fact that only men may hold the Priesthood, and a man must preside over the family. If a marriage is one of harmony, how am I to lord over my wife in the name of harmony?

I don't know the answers to these questions, and I'm not looking for yours. Because it doesn't matter. I know that these things and more were commanded by God, and He has His reasons. When it all comes down to it, Emerson said it best.


"All I have seen teaches me to trust the Creator for all I have not seen."


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The End. Of "The End." The. End.

"This is the end
Beautiful friend
This is the end
My only friend, the end"

I'm a bit late to the party, but as of April 21, 2010, 101.9 The End is no more. It was the one good radio station in Utah, and now it's playing DJ-less, 90's music. Instead of "Today's Hits, Yesterday's Favorites" as it used to. No more Chunga in the morning. How am I going to stay awake driving to work? Now, instead of complaining that he's not funny anymore, I have to complain that he's not on the air anymore. It's difficult for me.

I wrote about The End previously here and here (not here). Dear End, without whom I never would have been on the radio or heard of the bands O.A.R. or Thriving Ivory, and several others. I wouldn't have the funny memories of driving to Nephi, Heber, or (heaven forbid) Tooele while a carpet cleaner with Chunga to keep me entertained and awake.

Also, how am I supposed to keep up to track with what the kids are listening to nowadays? Watch "The Hills"? I mean MTV? Before I could listen to The End, hear the good stuff from the past, and get up to what the new singles and hits are. Now it just plays stuff from the 90's. It's as if the powers that be are deliberately trying to make me older. Is this what those of you who grew up in the 70's felt when they termed your music "Classic Rock"? Or those who grew up earlier than that, when they termed your music "Old people music"? That's gotta sting.

Now I listen to Beatles CDs, mixes I made, and get my news from The Soup or whatever issue of People is currently in my in-laws bathroom. Why me?

What are you listening to?

Any suggestions for me? (Besides get over it, how about all the poor pseudo-celebrities and radio people out of a job? Ever think of them? You make me sick.)

Would you like me to blog about anything else in particular? Like this wacky weather? What happened to Spring? Did my cacophonous complaining create some type of weird weather warping vicious voodoo vortex that destructively demolished Spring and brought malevolent mid-summer in frighteningly fast full force? Not that I'm complaining. I can wear my sandals much easier now that it's hot outside. Sandals and snow don't mix.

Save the Date

While we don't have invites, a theme, a location, a guest list, or much else planned right now, but against all attempts otherwise, Morgan is turning 1 (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!). On June 18, and we want to throw him a party. Not so much so he'll remember, but so you (locals) can see how cute he is and how big he's getting. And hey, free cake! (Not necessarily free, as you'll be bringing a present, most likely)*

* not required, but nice. :)

The 18th is a Friday, but we're having the party on a Saturday, so on the 19th, save the date for a kicking one year birthday celebration extravaganza cake with friends and a one year old Morgan!