iPhoto Facial Recognition is improving!

I have been spending the day getting faces into my iPhoto library. I was working on pictures of my niece and up pops a photo of the fridge. My son who is looking over my shoulder asks? Why does iPhoto think the fridge is my cousin? Ummm. Not sure lets check. Apparently there was an unrecognized face.For a closer view of what iPhoto thought was my niece:

Personal Space Etiquette

Ok, so another post from the bus. I have had a crazy week. Monday we got snow. Not lots of snow, especially by Utah standards. We got a couple of inches, but combine a couple of inches of snow with 100,000 commuters and it equals massive delays. 3 hours worth of delays. Monday I got on the bus at 6:00 a.m. and got off 40 miles down the road at 8:40 a.m. Average speed 15 mph.

Tuesday, A little more snow and more massive delays. I got on the bus at 6:00 a.m. and got off the bus at 9:35. Gack, why am I commuting again? It really is better most days and only takes about 15 minutes longer than the drive. There is also the added bonus of it being easier to nap on the bus.

But what really gets me is how people don't understand the rules on the bus. When riding the bus etiquette of personal space demands that when seats are empty close by you move. If I sit down next to someone, it is understood that at the first convenient opportunity I will vacate the seat next to them so they can have their personal space back. I as the vacatee don't mean anything offensive like, "ewww you stink and I can't stand to sit next to you" It's simply polite to vacate the other person's space. Also the person on the aisle is obviously the person expected to vacate. I can't as the window seat stand up and push through the person, because then I am saying "ewww you are icky and I must move to reclaim my personal space"

Guess what! Uh huh. A guy sat next to me today. It's always a guy, never the cute college coeds. Sat down next to me early on and by the second drop off stop there were vacant seats and he didn't follow the etiquette. He stayed right next to me all the way home. Now, I am no homophobe, but it's a little awkward when there are only four people on the bus and one of them is the stranger sitting next to you.

Let me know Was I wrong?

I really need to write about my bus experiences more often. Yesterday I had one that compelled me to write and to get some advice.

Some background first
Over the last few months I have noticed a gentleman that rides my bus with me. He has sat next to me maybe 5 to 10 times. Now, I have opinions about that but can't really begrudge him sitting next to me since I normally try to sit in the seats near the wheel chair spots so I get more leg room. Over the last couple of days he has sat next to me on the ride up to work. So, I do recognize this guy but I haven't ever really talked to him. Normally, I plug in my headphones and tune out the other folks on the bus because I really don't feel compelled to get to know them. Maybe I'm wrong.

What really makes me think I am wrong is this. Yesterday, this gentleman got on the bus, he hesitated a bit then sat down next to me. He asked me how I was doing, (fine) With no other pre-amble, explanation or reason:

Can I borrow your cell phone?
(insert awkward paus)
Ummm, I don't think so sir, sorry.

So the question? Was I wrong to refuse this guy. Obviously he thought there was a greater level of trust than I did. In that awkward pause above, about 14 things went through my head, not all of them fit to publish, but the main thoughts were. Isn't that presumptious. You are assuming I have a cell phone and that I am totally comfortable handing it off to you. I don't know you.

He seemed flustered that I said "No" but he eventually turned to the 20 year old college student in the seat across from us and asked her. "No" Well, "Sorry, I have limited minutes" Her response reassured me that maybe I wasn't alone in my phobia of phone sharing. But what do you think. Is phone sharing with strangers ok? And if it is should I expect an explanation of why they want my phone.

I think I would have been a whole lot more comfortable if this person had done just two things. Explained that he didn't have his own cell phone, and given me a reason for his call. I assumed it was to call for a ride at the bus stop, but I gotta say, it kinda freaked me out.

My wife's response to this brought up another dynamic. "I put my phone by my face, I am not letting someone I don't know pretty well share my phone."

My Funny for the week

That took guts to go ahead and post this after the door fell.

Need a Recharge? Take a walk!

This is one of the most fascinating things I have heard all week! I especially like the concept of actually embedding the technology into a cell phone. Or, what about my netbook?

NaBloPoMo Day 11: Live Video Web Conferencing in a face to face class?

Ok, so one of my assignments at work has been to develop an online course about a tool we provide for doing live Video Web Conferencing. I have been uncertain as to how exactly your average classroom teacher would use this. Two things have changed my vision on it.

I was with the State Technology Specialist last Friday and he said to me: "You guys (meaning me and my colleagues) shouldn't be teaching Word Processing. You should be on the cutting edge."

I realize that developing a course on collaborating via web conferencing would definitely be more cutting edge than teaching Word Processing.

Secondly, and this came today. One of the folks involved in using the software and a real advocate for the software invited me to watch her train a teacher on the software. The teacher was using some of my friends materials and she conducted a couple of authentic review type questions. She used the software the way I have seen people use a clicker system. She asked questions. Allowed kids to chat about their ideas for an answer and then submit an answer. One of the major things I noticed was that all the kids were engaged and working. But yet again, I don't think technology inherently made it engaging. It was good quality content. But all in all It was terrific! The kids were engaged and we had a great time. I really think I can see where to use this better now.

Lessons from the "Street"

Some of you folks may have noticed a trend on Google this week. Well, the street hit 40. It's hard for me to believe it, but Big Bird is older than me.

This radio broadcast reminded me of the great lessons I learned from Sesame Street.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120245506

or click here to listen directly.

The Berlin Wall

This morning on my drive to work I heard an interesting broadcast about a recreation of the Berlin Wall done at Utah Valley University. I couldn't find the archive of it, but UVU's Website has a description of the event. It's hard to believe it's been 20 years.

http://uvu.edu/blogs/newsroom/2009/11/09/uvu-high-school-students-to-reenact-tearing-down-of-berlin-wall/

Sunday Dinner

Sunday Dinner is a big deal around this house. Every week on Saturday Mom asks me. So... What do you want to eat tomorrow? Then begins the pomp. We travel out to the store to buy a cut of meat that will work. Choose our style of potatoes ( I was raised in Idaho it isn't dinner if there aren't potatoes) and then scramble our brains for a vegatables and invariably decide on green beans.

This week! Pork Spare Ribs, Baked Potatoes and green beans! It's fun though because making Sunday Dinner an event is very important to my mom and know she's teaching my kids how to set a table properly and eat with manners. If it weren't for her I am afraid my wife and I and our insanely busy schedule would be teaching the kids that a nice dinner is one where you have an actual paper plate instead of just a paper towel to hold your pizza.

I'll sure be glad though when my wonderful wife will be done with school and may have time to cook full on Dominican meals again! Pernil, arroz con habichuelas y tostones!

Fall leaves

Today was the day I chose to get caught up on the fall yard work. I figured it was going to be the last day I would be able to get much done before it got too cold, too wet and too snowy to work. I really did get a lot done. I have been borrowing a neighbors garden spot to supplement my own. We planted 'taters and corn this year. This will be the last year I will be able to do that since the neighbor passed away and his children will be selling the home. He was in 89 years old when he passed away and I lived next door for 4 years. Oddly enough he was killed in an auto accident. I will really miss him. Seeing him out working his garden better than I could my one row of it was amazing. I think this will be my last year for gardens for awhile. My job now has me too busy during the summer months to keep up with it. It's one of the things I really miss about being a classroom teacher. Having solid time in the summer to work on the yard.

C-Forum

I attended C-Forum today and learned a lot about Promethean Boards and a little about the new my.uen blog tool. I learned the blog tool because I took notes with it.

here's my post:
Today we have been learning all about the benefits of the Promethean Interactive whiteboards. There are some very useful tools and I have seen some people create some truly interactive and exceptional, but I still have one problem with them. This isn't just with Promethean, but with all whiteboards. I think they deflect funds and focus away from one to one computing with the emphasis on generative learning, to a center stage with an emphasis on compliant learning.

Now, I don't want to take away from the good things that are done with them, I just feel that the nature of the tool places the emphasis on the front of the room and having everyone come to the same conclusions.

NABLOPOMO Day 5: Teachers

Ok, I figured out a norm I need to share with teachers. When I teach from now on. I am going to tell all the teachers they aren't allowed to denigrate themselves or belittle themselves. I have watched teachers who are in all ways completely competent belittle themselves when it comes to their level of expertise on a computer program.

Why do teachers adults behave in ways that they would never allow in students? I would never let a student just choose not to learn something or try or opt out. I wouldn't let them sit back and coast, or if I do allow that kind of behavior when working with adults why don't I allow it with teachers?

There's room for a lot there, but anyway! No more bad mouthing ourselves. We are learning! We are learners! We are competent and capable!

NABLOPOMO Day 4: Teenagers

I have forgotten what teenagers are like a little. Tonight I taught at a local library for the Netsafe Utah grant. It was a little challenging, I had an audience with vastly different ages. 15 year old boys to 11 year old girls. And when it comes to internet safety what those two groups need is different.

Plus, I am not used to the heckling like I once was. When I was in front of teens every day I was used to the banter and could give as good as I got. In this situation I didn't feel like there was enough of a relationship to do that. I had never met these kids and they had never met me. Not a good idea to crack sarcastic jokes in that situation.

It went well and once we got into the swing I think I got through, and I do miss being around teenagers. They are so goofy and there's always something to make you laugh, but I am out of practice.

NABLOPOMO Day 3: Elections

Today is election day. I didn't make it. I spent the evening helping my two sons and my wife catch up on homework. I really wanted to vote to. We have an election that matters to me. It's just a local election but I really wanted to cast my vote. Not because I felt strongly that one candidate should win but rather that I felt strongly that neither candidate should even be considered.

The problem with local elections is that it's possible to really know the candidates and to know how their opinions, ideas, and abilities will affect the community.

In this case I didn't feel like it was a matter of choosing between the lesser of two evils, but rather the lesser of two idiots. I know these two candidates and feel that realistically we would be better of with neither of them.

Wish I could have voted. I would have wrote in a candidate worthy of the position.

NABLOPOMO Day 2: Monday Musings

Ok, I normally do my Monday Musings on Monday anyway so this isn't too challenging other than I got out of the habit.

I want to talk about an idea. An idea that my be a little different for people of other faiths, but being LDS there is a huge emphasis on being perfect. Christ gave that mandate to people and it is taken as a commandment as much as it is a vision of what is possible by many of the LDS faith. This can be tricky.

Be ye therefore perfect! But what kind of perfect. We normally think of perfection as completely without blemish, spot, error or any kind of fault. The trouble with this is none of us are perfect. None of us can be perfect. In a sense Christ's command to be perfect only makes sense if we understand that it is a command to repent and be made perfect through his atoning blood. In another sense it is a command to be perfect in a finished, whole and complete sense.

My other big thought though is that being perfect doesn't in any sense mean being better than others. I think this perspective is adopted by some people. They believe that if I am better than my neighbor or if they are more sinful than I am that make me more perfect, closer to perfection, better. This can be an extremely damaging perspective because it encourages people to find the faults in others to justify their own shortcomings.

Let's all be perfect! Perfected in Christ, complete and whole!

NABLOPOMO

This is my first try at NABLOPOMO. I came to blogging late and I haven't really tried this before. I am going to make posts everyday this month, but I am going to be using my personal blog. So watch out here comes the world!

http://mitchelljorgensen.blogspot.com

Dogs in public!

I got in a big discussion yesterday. It was all about something else at first and like most of these rambling discussions turned into me arguing a stance I wasn't sure I had before the topic came up. From an off-handed comment about the fact that a hotel had pet friendly rooms, which I applauded, because I have traveled with my dog and like having them with me.

Well that was the wrong opinion to have. I needed to have a different opinion. I remarked that I found no reason at all that I shouldn't be able to take my dog where I want. Someone else commented that they were certain a lawsuit would ensue. I agreed. Only, my opinion was that someone who was denied access to someplace with a companion animal (not a service animal) would sue and probably win. The other opinion expressed was that somebody would get sued for bringing their dog somewhere. Well that already happens. My side of the argument is: if my dog is better behaved and cleaner than your child why should I be denied???

And don't tell me it ain't happened. I was at my son's award ceremony the other day. Sitting right in front of me was a wonderful beautiful young girl. Who had boogers encrusted all over her face, was coughing and sneezing, and stank of .... well.... fertilizer. She and her sibling ran about the place mucking up all they could. Spreading disease and germs far and wide. I think even the pigs would have been worried about getting the flu from these kids. Mom??? you may ask. Sitting and chatting!

Now, I am not here to argue that those kids should be denied access to the school event, but why can't my dog come? This is a public building, it's my dog, and my son's dog. He is well behaved, clean, and doesnt' shed. But he's the menace?

We have distanced ourselves to much from the reality that life is messy. Life is dirty, animals are part of the environment that we also belong to.

"Dogs have given us their absolute all. We are the center of their universe. We are the focus of their love and faith and trust. They serve us in return for scraps. It is without a doubt the best deal man has ever made. "
— Roger Caras

Manspaces

I am a big fan of TED and today I have been catching up. This video was a lot of fun.

So here's the picture of my manspace which happens to be my cubicle at work. Totally Dilbert!

Burdens

Last weekend was the 179th General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I was in attendance via television broadcasts, which I enjoyed immensely. There was a practice in old Testament times regarding the Sabbath. After 7 Sabbaths there would be a double Sabbath. I have always felt that General Conference was like that.

But the Gospel is a real burden. There is so much about being actively engaged in the Church that is a burden. We are expected to read our scriptures, study good books, pay 10% of our income as tithing, attend our meetings for 3 hours a week plus fulfill other callings for 5 to 8 hours a week, plus volunteer and help in the community, plus attend the temple regularly, weekly if possible, we are also expected to be the world's best parents and teach our children, knit scarves for the elderly rake leaves for the widows abstain from all the worldly pleasures of coffee, tea, tobacco, alcohol and a basketful of other things. The burdens wear me down. They are so taxing at times. It's easier to follow Satan with him you don't have to do anything.

But one of the talk at conference helped me understand something. I dont' think Elder L. Whitney Clayton actually stated it, but he sure intended this idea with his talk. When we take up the yoke of the gospel It is a burden, but the burden is light in comparison with the burdens of sin and regret. Compared to trying to shoulder our lives challenges alone the burden of the gospel is indeed light.

Matthew 11:30

What would @Alfiekohn say?

I have recently rediscovered Alfie Kohn. He is still my hero! I have been reading some of his articles and a thought struck me.

How much longer are we going to continue to do things to students and not with them.

Case in point: Reading! Evidence absolutely supports the practice of having students read 20 minutes a day. What happens when this becomes a club used to beat the students? Because this 20 minutes a day is so important in many of today's classroms it becomes the bulk or sometimes the entire measure of the students reading grade. Therefore a student who is struggling to report his reading because of organizational difficulties gets beaten down. Not because he or she can't or doesnt read, but because he or she is to busy reading to bother writing it down.

How much of our jobs as educators is to enforce a factory worker model of responsibility? How much of what we do in our day should be to instill in children the need to: be on time, turn in your work, be quiet, don't disrupt? I have written about this before: the fact that our traditional schools instill values that aren't the qualities necessary for leadership.

I wonder too how much of our job as educators is to be the guardians of civilization. The educational system is designed and sturctured to hold fast to the values of a world that is rapidly changing, but I wonder if we do that too often by holding to the practices of a world that has largely disapeared?

When I was in the classroom it took my 10 years to really learn that what mattered most was not instilling in students the values that I held so dear. Not to force them to comply or conform to what I thought was most important, but rather to help them learn to value what mattered most to them. I am not sure I ever quite got it. But, I do know that the longer I taught the more I strove to give kids multiple ways to demonstrate competency. Multiple modes to learn and demonstrate learning. The more I valued the uniqueness and distinctness of each student. We have to teach classes because it seems to just work that way, but it is still each student that learns. We have to value that student. To do that we have to measure more than: "Did little Susie write down that she read 20 minutes last night"

p.s. I never came back to finish this but decided to post it as is!

Forgiveness: a lesser law

I have been thinking about forgiveness lately. I am going to propose a radical concept. Something that's truly crazy. Forgiveness is actually a lower law. We talk sometimes in the LDS Church about the higher law and the lesser law. Moses when he first went on the Mount recieved a higher law. A law similar to what Christ would later reveal in the flesh. So goes LDS tradition. Christ when he came raised the stakes. He taught that it was no longer enough to obey the law "Thou shalt not kill" but raised the bar. According to Christ we are to not even get angry with our brother or call him Raca!

Don't get me wrong, forgiveness is an important and vital law. It enables us to get to the higher law I think exists. Forgiveness though, in the sense most people use it, connotes singularity. You made me made, or hurt me, or lied, or didn't do the dishes when I asked and left me with a huge mess even though I have an important Relief Society Meeting tonight. "I forgive you" It kind of feels like. You have sinned and this one time I will extend my mercy toward you.

Charity, the pure love of Christ, extends beyond a single act of mercy. It is a trait, a lifestyle and a character of compassion. It is: I know you are an idiot and forgot to do the dishes and probably will again in the future, but I see you are also good and I love and care for you. Charity to me has a much more permanent sense to it. Not an acceptance or tolerance of sin, but an acceptance and compassion for the sinner. Don't get me wrong at all. I am not saying we don't need to forgive or that forgiveness isn't divine. What I am saying is that I believe that in many of our relationships we develop something higher (or deeper) than simple, singular forgiveness a compassion that fills us with understanding and love of the people around us..warts and all as my mother always said.

From the bus: Unwritten rules of ridership!

I am going o start a new series. Blog posts about and from the bus.

I am a very happy Public Transportation Commuter. I honestly don't even know the price of gas because I can't remember the last time I had to fill up my truck. For the most part my commute is awesome! I can nap, read, work on my computer, play Bejeweled on my phone. These things are a a little be tougher when used to drive. People would honk, and scream. I didn't get it but anway on the bus it's easier. It takes a little longer, but it's also free. As a University Employee I get a bus pass (paid for by the parking permits on campus not your tax dollars)

My challenge today is this: Chubby people.

Now, don't get me wrong. I am not critical. I am myself a chubby person. I like to eat and I don't like to exercise. This is a recipe for pudge. My problem is for several months I have been riding the bus and it does fill up occasionally. What I don't understand those is the apparent rule that Chubby men must sit together. There is one gentleman on my bus whom I am sure is probably a perfectly decent guy, but he seems to have a man crush on me. I will be sitting on a partly empty (meaning there are other double seats with no one in either seat) and this guy will plunk down and cozy up to me. He has tried to chat me up and despite me using the universal sign of disinterest, wearing my iPod headphones, (sometimes I don't even plug them into the iPod, I just wear them) this gentleman still persists in sitting next to me whenever the chance permits. Now, This wouldn't really be a problem if the bus seats were slightly larger or one of the two of us were slightly (read: in my case 40 lbs) smaller.

So, new rules for the bus! All persons must sit in an unocccupied set of seats until such time as no pair of seats remains unoccupied. Rule 2: All persons will be paired according to a volume system. Skinny people aren't allowed to sit next to each other but must be paired with a higher volume neighbor.

At least that's how it would be if I ran things.

Prophets

I have had a couple of conversations with some folks. It got me to thinking. What do I have to believe?

A question came up about a former Prophet and leader of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The particular Prophet has been accused of some things that are pretty heinous. Stuff that by almost any morality code of the modern day be worthy of imprisonment. Some in the church simply don't believe it happened at all. Others have left the Church over it. As I had this conversation I mentioned that I thought it quite likely that he had been involved, but simply wasn't acting as the Prophet. The friend I was talking to told me "Hey, wait a minute, if he said that God told him to do this and you are saying it wasn't right then you are saying you don't believe in the Church and revelation and ...."

The conclusion was that he felt that as a Mormon I am compelled to blindly accept every word that falls from the lips of the Prophet. Do I?




Brigham Young once said,

“I am more afraid that this people have so much confidence in their leaders that they will not inquire for themselves of God whether they are led by him. I am fearful they settle down in a state of blind self-security. … Let every man and woman know, by the whispering of the Spirit of God to themselves, whether their leaders are walking in the path the Lord dictates, or not” (Discourses of Brigham Young, sel. John A. Widtsoe [1941], 135)

This was quoted by James Faust in the September Ensign 1998 This message is still being spoken and the message seems to be: Not everything a Prophet says is right.

But, this message is being drowned out by those quoting:

The Lord will never permit me or any other man who stands as President of this Church to lead you astray. It is not in the programme. It is not in the mind of God. If I were to attempt that, the Lord would remove me out of my place, and so He will any other man who attempts to lead the children of men astray from the oracles of God and from their duty. (Sixty-first Semiannual General Conference of the Church, Monday, October 6, 1890, Salt Lake City, Utah. Reported in Deseret Evening News, October 11, 1890, p. 2.)

This becomes my conondrum? What do I have to believe? Two prophets both quoted regularly one seems to be saying I am supposed to completely trust that God will never allow his leaders to lead me astray and another prophet, earlier by only a short time, telling me not to get to secure in blindly trusting my leaders in what they say, and that message being reinforced by a truly Modern Prophet reminding me of it in 1998.

It really does seem to come down to what James Faust says after quoting Brigham Young.:

Since each one of us has his free agency, the ultimate determination of what is inspired of the Lord, what is right and wrong, true or false, can be made by each of us.

Can I look back on a historical event, and state that I don't believe that a Prophet acted as a prophet when he chose a certain path, possibly. Can I say now that specific financial advice given by a General Authority during a local fireside may not be applicable in my case. I believe I can. I believe ultimately my choices are what I will be held accountable for. Will it ever be right for my to go directly contrary to the will of the Church, Gospel and God as revealed in by his Prophets, no I can't imagine that it could possibly be.

But do you see my conondrum? What is the balance between questioning, seeking, and being an independent seeker of truth and being an obedient servant in the kingdom?

p.s. and BTW- While writing this post I was looking for the Brigham Young quote above and found it here in a great post. Can't speak to any thing else, but I did like this post.

Brian Lamb: Open Education

His presentation was terrific. The whole concept that we have students do authentic work is for some reason seen as cutting edge. This is true in one sense, but most people learned this way in the past. They learned by doing work!

One of the items that I thought was really good was the analogy. We fear often that if we send students to post on the internet that legions of Sexual Predators will creep out of their basements and descend on the students. The reality is that the people who creep out of their basements are more likely to be people who really love copy editing, formatting bibliographies or formatting tables and graphs. The point: For the Most part online interactions are positive.

One thing I wonder about with this whole idea though. Brian Lamb encourage adoption of open architecture. Things like blogs, youtube, iTunes University, and others. The challenge becomes for me is on the users end. As a participant it is a frustration to have to learn new sets of tools for every course. My wife is taking a course right now that is a mashup of three different online curriculum tools. It becomes extremely frustrating to have this course with due dates listed inconsistently, with multiple logins and with a f2f component that each sends a different message.

Course management software has it's downsides but there are advantages to it because it provides a consistent interaction for a student in a specific institution. The challenge will be watching students bringing courses from multiple institutions together to create their own learning.

A weekend with the Family

Memorial day weekend was an important milestone in my family. Dad turned 80. This is a particularly big milestone because all during my growing up years, my Dad swore, he would never reach this age. In fact he often expressed sincere and heartfelt desire to be dead before 75. Views on death are a little complicated in our family.

Well, with his birthday coming up my eldest sister decided we should get together in Idaho where Dad and Mom had lived most of their adult lives. That didn't work out. Most of my other siblings couldn't make it at that time and my Dad simply set in his heels and refused to go up there. So, my Sister decided to get herself and her now grown children together and come visit us in Utah. She told my mom to expect her at 10:00 am. Now as far as I know my sister has never arrived anywhere by 10:00 am. I can speak with some certainty that she has rarely ever arrived at a family function on time. She surprised me to no end by arriving right on time with two of her four children. We actually had a really great time. My sister has been much more attentive and respectful of me as an adult in the last couple of years. It really means a lot to me. It has been difficult for me to be the youngest in the family by 8 years. All of my siblings were out of the house by the time I was 11 and frankly, I don't feel like they know me all that well especially as an adult. I bear the blame in that because I haven't done enough to stay in contact with them.

Two important things that came out of this visit. First, my nephew who is only a few months younger than I am was a Marine, and not just any Marine, but a frontline, special forces grunt. He has some crazy stories to tell. He told us about one. He was on road block duty and following all the protocols. They were instructed that if a vehicle approaches to follow these steps:

1. Flag the vehicle and try to get their attention
2. Assertively flag the vehicle and warn the drivers
3. If the vehicle continues to approach fire a warning shot
4. If the vehicle continues to approach fire a second warning shot into the ground in front of the vehicle
5. If the vehicle refuses to slow down or stop fire on the vehicle.

Well, during this particular event a vehicle was approaching at high speed. My nephew didn't have much time and the first 3 steps happened in rapid succession with the result that my nephew fired a shot in front of the vehicle that ricocheted off the ground and bounced through the bottom of the fast moving vehicle and clipped the passenger in the @$$. The passenger was an older gentleman and once he had been shot the driver stopped the car and this older (mid seventies) man jumped out of the car and was dancing around from the pain in his derriere. It was a lot more humorous to see my Marine Nephew acting out both sides of this exchange, but I thought I ought to share. By the way, my older son thought it was the funniest thing in the world to pester and annoy the guy we kept reminding him probably knew at least 5 ways to leave him maimed or dead. Kids are stubborn.

The second and probably more important bit of information I gained from this exchange was the knowledge that I live in the heart of the Jello Belt, which extends along 1-15 from Rexburg, Idaho in the north to St. George, Utah in the south. Never heard that term but I suppose it is accurate.



View The Jello Belt in a larger map

Tithing a principle with Promise

Yesterday in Sunday School we were discussing the importance of Tithing and Fasting. I heard the greatest story about tithing I have heard in a long tme.

One of the men in our Ward told us of a time when he just didn't have enough money to pay his tithing. He knew that if he paid his tithing then there wouldn't be enough for the bills and food. He decided to show his faith anyway, and he prepared his Tithing envelope, filled out the tithing donation slip, sealed up the envelope and handed it to the Bishop. Later in the week he decided to attend the Temple and as he was coming out of the temple he reached into to pocket of his slacks and found $100.00 the exact amount of his tithing. He was immediately grateful for the blessings of Tithing and of attending the temple. He used the money to take care of his bills. On Sunday at church his Bishop came up to him and said,"Thank you so much for your tithing, everything was fine except you forgot to put the money in the envelope!"

My wife pointed out during Sunday School that we all have miracles in our lives but that we forget them and forget the Lord. It's imotant to remember the lord and that all we have comes from him. He just asks that to show our devotion we give back 10% to build up his kingdom here on earth.

Best of the Bull. Part Two???

A while back my friend Jared and I bit the bullet, bit off more than we could chew and bit the bull.

Well recently while I was checking out some of my favorite foodies on www.foodnetworkhumor.com I came across two posts about Andrew Zimmern: This one and this one

I have to say though, the Best of the Bull was a once in a lifetime experience, and I don't think I will be having any of this:

Climbing the walls

I haven't been doing as much personal stuff here, but yesterday my son was climbing the walls....literally.....no seriously!



Of course, I will probably get the bad parent of the year award for this, and it doesn't help that literally minutes before my two boys were burning (not roasting) marshmallows on the grill and then played in the water until 8:00 p.m. Well what are Sunday afternoons for?

Monday Musings: Accepting Service

Yesterday, we had Stake Conference. A combined meeting with 8 or 10 congregations from the area. They were reorganizing our Stake and making some other changes. Well, our Stake is so big they have to do this process of conference in two separate sessions with half attending each session. This is only important because my parents and my family go to two different wards.
Well, I had been teasing my father about not getting up early and not going to the 10 a.m. session. My ward was assigned the 1 p.m. session.

At 10 a.m. I went down to check to see if Dad was ready and assuming he was still in bed. My 10 year informs me: Nope, grandpa left at 9 a.m. WHAT? Now, I need to explain, Grandpa is approaching his 80th year and while doing ok, has not had the best of health and has fallen several times. That's why he lives with us. But he got it into his head that he needed to walk the 5 blocks over the church building for Stake Conference. Well, I went and got him at the end of the meeting and we had a talk. I reminded him that he had told his mother when she was climbing ladders in her 70's that he would have to be the one to pick things up if she got hurt.

Having my folks live with me has given me a greater appreciation that old age isn't for sissies. I think I will take up motorcycle racing and paragliding when I turn 60. But this conversation with Dad also reminded me of an amazing example that Christ set for us. He allowed others to serve him. There are several examples of it through the New Testament, but the one that is always the most touching to me is found in Matthew 27:31-32

31 And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him.

32 And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross.

During this moment of his greatest agony and in a sense his greatest triumph he allowed someone else to help him carry the cross. This was the literal Son of God and he could have been filled with pride and arrogance and insisted that he carry his own cross, but he didn't, he recognized his own weakness, humility and need and allowed himself to be served. That's a lesson I hope I can remember when I need help.

Monday Musings: Unity vs. Conformity

Last week I posted about the questions I have about whether we have to wear a white shirt to pass the sacrament. I myself find it to be an interesting challenge to encourage unity without mandating conformity. Clearly every organization has a right to define what behavior is acceptable to remain part of that organization. I wonder though sometimes if we are substituting conformity for unity. I have thought about this a lot lately, and really haven't come to any firm conclusion, but it is interesting to me that if you look at the rebellion, it becomes the tyranny. I have written about this before, just briefly. But it keeps coming back to me that whenever a person fights against tyranny, they get others to join them, and immediately form a group that then becomes they tyranny of that group. I think it is a challenging balance to maintain our openess, trust and love of others. To be tolerant and understanding and to maintain our principles.

I am no advocate of rebellion. I am about as conformist as they come. I am a middle age guy who has made his living teaching in the public schools. Yet I see myself, and others sometimes condemned or judged for not conforming in all areas. I just have a strong idea that although the strait and narrow path is still strait and narrow, it isn't single file. Whether I keep my fruit in baskets or bottles isn't as important as whether I love and serve my fellow man.

On further thought, it really isn't about the rebellion becoming the tyranny, just the institution. And don't get me wrong, I am not about refusing to comply. For society as a whole to work and for groups to function we must all comply and agree to allow the institution to hold sway over us, but at least for me it's about the strait and narrow path being strait and narrow but not single file. It's about not condemning other when their actions are well within what the commandments allow.

BTW this is what I wore to church yesterday! (snicker, snicker)

Monday Musings:Do I have to wear a white shirt?

Yesterday at church was an excellent day! The youth in our ward were attending church at the Developmental Center and helping with the handicapped individuals there. What this means for me is that right after I got myself settled in the pew with the kids and the wife, suddenly I am asked to pass the sacrament. I actually love doing this! It's fun to get all nostalgic about my days as a 12 year old deacon. I recall when I was was the President of the Deacon's quorum, we had an elaborate system for describing where a specific Deacon was to begin passing the sacrament. FAR SIDE, MIDDLE BACK was one of the secret plays. Our Deacon's quorum had a play book as elaborate as any college football team. When I sat down in the pew for the deacons, I could vizualize the upcoming play in my mind with the best of modern quarterbacks.

Yesterday, it was not quite the choreographed elegance that we see when the Young Men in the ward fulfill their duties. But we absolutely fulfilled the principle of passing the sacrament with dignity, respect and reverence. It made me think, that we often get caught up in the minutia, and ritual without the spirit behind it. I have watched Young Men pass the sacrament to exactly the spot they are supposed to but...without any more concern for the person they are passing the sacrament too than if the were slopping hogs. My personal pet peeve. The boys that offer the sacrament two inches in front of my chin. I have to employ yoga, pilates, and several froms of Far Eastern contortionism in order to reach up and get the sacrament. A few weeks ago, in a fit of common sense I politely reached up and pushed the tray down before partaking.

Maybe part of my problem is that I honestly believe that I should partake of the sacrament. My view is that it should be passed to me. I shouldn't take the tray and then take the sacrament. I was taught that it is appropriate to take the sacrament only with the right hand and to pass it only with the right hand.

Which brings me to my title. After this very enjoyable experience of passing the sacrament, during Elder's quorum, we were discussing Elder Dallin H. Oakes Conference address:

Sacrament Meeting and the Sacrament

Elder Oakes quotes Elder Holland from a 1995 address:

“May I suggest that wherever possible a white shirt be worn by the deacons, teachers, and priests who handle the sacrament. For sacred ordinances in the Church we often use ceremonial clothing, and a white shirt could be seen as a gentle reminder of the white clothing you wore in the baptismal font and an anticipation of the white shirt you will soon wear into the temple and onto your missions” (“This Do in Remembrance of Me,” Ensign, Nov. 1995, 68).

Maybe, I am the only one, but notwithstanding the role both of these men have as prophets of God and Apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ do I really have to wear a white shirt? I find myself wondering sometimes, are we getting to caught up in outward ritual and not enough on the inward heart. The Pharisees were all for enforcing detailed rules about these kinds of things. Two Apostles have said it! It is good counsel! But we spent almost 15 minutes in Elder's quorum discussing how we enforce this on others. Again, maybe I am the minority in this, but I find myself torn between two extremes: Why does it matter? and Why would anyone not obey in so small a thing. Some may argue, well, what if they can't afford a white shirt, my argument is if they can afford any shirt at all they should choose a white shirt so they can follow this counsel from the apostles.

Without a doubt the Gospel is true! I just like wrestling with these ideas because we (the LDS church) were once the rebellious upstarts trying to break the back of burdensome, and foolish traditions, and I worry that we ourselves are heaping on the burden of too much tradition.

Monday Musings: A lesson about prayer!

Elder Boyd K. Packer shared a story about a lesson he learned about prayer in his book Teach Ye Diligently His son prayed that their young calf would live. Elder Packer then went off to a meeting where he shared his son's prayer and the lesson that his son would learn: Sometimes God answers prayers with a No. He then humbly recounts that when he returned to find the calf healthy and alive. It was he who learned the lesson.

I have wanted to record this story for some time because it was so important to my son and to me. When we had just moved into our current home, my nephew who is in the military asked us to watch his dog for about 9 months while he was involved in a training in Georgia. I love Naya and so I immediately accepted. We had her with us for about two weeks when tragedy struck. She got out. She ran off and the one neighbor kid who had seen her streaking off the property failed to mention it until about an hour later when we noticed she was missing. Needless to say, I did what any good husband and father would do. I shouted!! A lot. I blamed everyone but myself and then went out looking for the AWOL canine. We looked for about 2 hours and found neither hide nor hair of the beast.

As I was starting to move into the next phase in the Dad response cycle, I went to my older son, who was 5 and I asked him if he would like to pray with me. Now, the whole time I had been out looking for Naya, I was thinking about the fact that there may be no way I could find this dog and I was going to have to tell my nephew who was serving me and our whole country in Iraq that I had lost his dog. I realized that I may not be able to find the dog, but God could guide it back. I discussed this with my son and he offered a sincere, heartfelt and spiritually powerful prayer. As powerful as any I have ever heard. I felt the spirit very strongly and my 5 year old son wept openly not out of fear, but he truly felt the spirit. Within moments, my wife felt she should go open the door and in ran Naya.

I learned two things. My son's feelings, emotions and spirituality were as deep as anyones, and that though I may not be able to solve a problem God can cause things to happen that bring about our relief !

Monday Musings: God's Economy

I haven't done a Monday Musing post for a while. I have been busy and tired and worried about my job situation. I recently found that I have a pretty stable position for another year. There are some advantages to contracts and annual budgets. I am actually glad. I had applied for a job as an Educational Technology Specialist Team Lead and although I didn't get the position, I was asked to re-apply fur the position just one step down: Education Technology Specialist. I really love the job I have and the fact that I can commute on public transit, so I doubt I will be trying for a move.

With all the thoughts about jobs, economy and the recent election and President Obama's attempts to rejuvenate the economy I have given a lot of thought to what God's economy is? I took a little heat a while back for posting about Tithing. Despite that, I feel that tithing and fast offerings are a good way to provide for the churches needs and the needs of the poor among us, but what happens when we are all poor?

I have a recurring argument with my Dad. Dad regularly tells me that when Christ comes again there won't be anymore Cadillacs. We'll all be driving Ford Focus'. My argument is that I don't believe God intends us to all be poor together, but all rich together. In the Doctrine and Covenants of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Section 82 we read :

15 Therefore, I give unto you this commandment, that ye bind yourselves by this covenant, and it shall be done according to the laws of the Lord.

16 Behold, here is ^awisdom also in me for your good.

17 And you are to be ^aequal, or in other words, you are to have equal ^bclaims on the ^cproperties, for the benefit of ^dmanaging the concerns of your stewardships, every man according to his wants and his needs, inasmuch as his wants are just—

18 And all this for the benefit of the church of the living God, that every man may ^aimprove upon his ^btalent, that every man may ^cgain other ^dtalents, yea, even an hundred fold, to be cast into the Lord’s ^estorehouse, to become the common ^fproperty of the whole church—

19 ^aEvery man seeking the interest of his ^bneighbor, and doing all things with an ^ceye single to the glory of God.

Emphasis added

This refers to the United Order or Law of Consecration and implies that under this covenant all people would have equal claim on the resources available based on their wants. Not only the minimum needs for keeping body and spirit together, but just or fair wants. For example I want a TV for myself, it would probably not be just for me to want a 57 inch Plasma TV if my neighbors are in need of food, but if they can have their food and I can get a 32 inch CRT that may be just.

As I have been listening to some of the pundits discuss the reason Capitalism will work and how it will solve our problems, I have to agree there is a certain logic. Everyone should prosper according to their own work and effort. Those who are unwilling to work will fail. This doctrine was also taught in the scriptures Alma 30:17 :

17 And many more such things did he say unto them, telling them that there could be no atonement made for the sins of men, but every man ^afared in this life according to the management of the creature; therefore every man prospered according to his genius, and that every man conquered according to his strength; ......

The trouble with this is it was taught by an Anti-Christ, Korihor, who had been decieved and was teaching false doctrine. Alma the prophet refuted this and the other false doctrines that Korihor taught.

In contrast to this false doctrine, the People of Enoch became so righteous and so unified that they were taken directly to heaven without having tasted death. Enoch and his people are only briefly mentioned in the Bible, but in modern revelation we learn that at least one thing that made them pure enough for this:

Moses 7:18

And the Lord called his people ^aZion, because they were of ^bone heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them.

They had no poor among them. In God's economy all have enough. As long as our economy is one based on scarcity, and selfishness instead of abundance and altruism it is not God's economy.

The Second Sabbath

In Luke 6:1 Reference is made to the second sabbath after the first I was taught that during this time, the Jews would count seven sabbaths and on the seventh sabbath it was a double sabbath. This reference to the second sabbath after the first was a referring to this practice.

Now, today as I was looking for references to this, I will be honest, I couldn't find it. I will look some more, but the reference has always stuck in my mind especially the first week in April and the first week in October. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints schedules their annual and semi-annual conference during these times. It gives me two days, a second sabbath after the first to reflect on who I am, what my purpose in this world is and what I can do to help others. I love this conference time and am grateful that there is a loving God who has provided for us a wonderful world for us and our Savior that helps us return to him if we will but trust in him.

This conference was particularly fun and I enjoyed it very much.

President Dieter Uchtdorf spoke a few times, I love listening to him speak, not only because he really teaches good principles to live by but because of he German accent it feels like the Terminator is teaching the gospel. "The Apostlenator" Sorry, is that bad

I also really enjoy hearing President Henry B. Eyring. If it is ok to have a favorite Apostle, then he would be mine.

If you want to know more you can check out the archives:
http://lds.org/conference/sessions/display/0,5239,49-1-1032,00.html

I'm related

Funny though, he hasn't been at any family reunions.

The best of the Bull

I posted this on my learning blog:
I have usually avoided being very personal on this blog because I actually want it to keep a quite professional atmosphere. However, I was with colleagues when this occurred and it went out to the twitterverse so....

The folks in my office normally go out to break bread together. It is one of those great bonding experiences. Eating is a very social event. Well, this one was an extremely social event. It allowed for some incredible bonding. We went to a local restaurant Cowboy Grub on of the items on the menu is "The Best of the Bull"

My friend Jared decided that we needed to try it. Check out the results.

Really, this was a learning experience for me. Sometimes we have to open ourselves up to new experiences. Plus the prairie oysters (or Rocky Mountain Oysters as they are also called) weren't bad. Will I rush back for another batch. I doubt it, maybe for the spuds though! Did I learn something. Yeah, and I enjoyed good times with my friends. The power of which can never be underestimated. Oh BTW did I just give in to peer pressure???



But wanted to gab about it some more. After Jared, posted about this on his blog one of his readers commented that it was more gross that I double dipped than that I ate bull testicles. Well, I apologize for grossing everyone out by double dipping.

I do have to say, I am glad it wasn't the best of this bull though:

A funny picture

 

I saw this posted on someone's wall. Hmmm. I am not sure what to think of a friend like that.

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Monday Musings: The sacredness of the Sacrament

I feel bad that this blog has become mostly a place for me to take notes on how I felt on Sunday.  I originally wanted to be more personal with this blog....hmmmm well.  I will work on it.

I did want to make sure I got my weekly post in though.

Yesterday, I was asked to usher in the LDS Ward I attend.  My family and I attend a Spanish Speaking Ward (or congregation) in our area.  My wife was tired and one of the kids was sick so I ended up going on my own.  I got there early to fulfill my ushering duties.  It was really good and the responsibility I had to say hello, help folks find seats and to shut the doors while the sacrament was passed just really came together for a great day and experience.  I have been commenting a bunch on Goodreads about the existence of God and it has turned into a God vs. Science debate.  Yesterday reconfirmed to me something I had said on Goodreads.  Both Science and Religion make me a more fulfilled person.

Monday Musings: Leavening

So my Monday Musings today are all about micro-organisms. Bugs in our bread. Well they are supposed to be there and they aren't really bugs. They are a fungus, yeast to be exact. Yeasts that can be used for bread are a single celled organism that functions a lot like a single human cell. Yeasts are actually an amazing organism. They are what makes bread possible. At least raised breads.

When making bread there are several ways, but the one I want to mention is the one dear old mom taught me. I was taught that you create your start with flour, milk, shortening or lard and you mix up a sponge. This sponge forms the base of your bread. My mother always taught me that to have really successful bread you also have to start your yeast correctly. A little bit of sugar and your yeast in a glass of warm water. (Proportions here are essential were talking about the symbolism) When things are right the yeast will begin to grow and release carbon dioxide as a byproduct of metabolism. (Yes, the Carbon Dioxide is yeast waste and this would be the place for a joke but this is my serious blog posting for the week)

The carbon dioxide produced by the yeast does no good to anyone if the yeast stays alone. If the yeast stays in the cup there is no benefit. None. but if I put the yeast into my bread sponge I can improve the bread. The bread dough can be used without the yeast. It is still useful. I can fry the dough, or make flat breads or use other leavenings to get it to raise, but the yeast is useless until it is put in the dough. It has to be put in the dough or it really doesn't do anything. It can continue to live on it's own, but when it is combined with the dough the life in the yeast produces a product that is so much better.

In Galations 5:9 Paul teaches us:

A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.

This is so significant to all of us. When we have faith in God we can be the active and activating ingredient in the world around us. We can grow on our own, but our full purpose is brought about by being mixed into the world. If we isolate ourselves we don't benefit the whole.

It is also significant that yeast needs sugar. Leavening needs nourishment. Believers must nourish their own souls. They must take in nourishment so they can activate the whole lump to use Paul's words. Let's all be like yeast!

Posted from the Bus!

Monday Musings: Commenting on GoodReads

I joined a debate group on www.goodreads.com. There are some interesting and lively debates there and one in particular sparked my verbosity. I have included my discussion posting below:

Wow this has been a lively debate! I got the email digest version of it and couldn't wait to weigh in. Many people are kind of spouting out diatribe at each other, this is a debate, back up you opinions with reasons and evidence.

Having said that, here is my diatribe *checking definition of diatribe on www.m-w.com *mm maybe that isn't quite the word, oh well, here goes anyway.

I find it interesting as a believing scientist or maybe it is as a reasoning believer that both Science and Religion have a lot in common. I know this is specificially Evolution and creation, but it's worth pointing out. Science depends on accepting certain widely held ideas as true, all other work, research and ideas essentially build on those. Authority is bestowed on some because their ideas are more widely accepted and supported and those who propose contrary ideas are often ostracized, shunned and excluded. People who don't accept the ideas of the Scientific Community are considered small minded. There are rules that one must follow to be part of the Scientific Community, and if you don't your work and life are discredited. Now go back through that and subsitute Church for Science. Essentially every system begins as a rebellion against the dominant system and then develops it's own set of rules and becomes a system itself.

I like most of all a scripture in the LDS Canon(there's a ten dollar word for ya)
Doctrine and Covenants 10:2 Yea, behold, I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart.

LDS doctrine tells you that something will both feel right and be reasonable or you can be assured it isn't true.

Juxtapose that with this quote:



“When I'm working on a problem, I never think about beauty. I think only how to solve the problem. But when I have finished, if the solution is not beautiful, I know it is wrong.”

Richard Buckminster Fuller

I don't know if there is a way to harmonize science and religion, evolution and creationism. I do know my life woiuld be less complete and less full without both

I honestly believe that there is a harmony to come between science and religion. A time when our moral nature, our ethics and our reason will work together to create the truly beautiful world described by Christ. There doesn't have to be enmity between the two.

Monday Musings: Marriage

I have been away from the blog for a while. I really like blogging but like so many things life interferes with living. My sweetheart took a trip to the Dominican Republic last week and just got back. It made me realize again what a wonderful system God has designed for us. I did fine without my wife home but it was sure a relief when she got back. We really do need to leave our father and mother and cleave unto our wife and none else.

Monday Musings: Symbolism of the Sacrament

It's been a while since I did one of my Monday Musings posts, but yesterday was such a good day at church that I really wanted to get back to it. First of all Sacrament Meeting was exceptional. We had 4 youth speakers who really did a fine job of explaining the importance of the commandments and how living them helps them in their lives.

I had a lot of good thoughts during sacrament meeting and it reminded me of something I have thought of before and wanted to express. I know now one is really reading this blog, but just in case I have a reader who isn't familiar with the LDS culture I am going to explain a couple of things. For my LDS reader just be patient or feel free to correct my perspective. That is another reminder I am just giving my perspective.

During Sacrament Meeting which is the full congretational meeting in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints the Aaronic Priesthood passes the sacrament. We partake of the sacrament every week. Each week as a reminder of the promises we have made at baptism and as a reminder of the promises God makes to us 3 of the Priests in the Aaronic priesthood bless the sacrament. (See Doctrine and Covenants Section 20:75-79) The Priests then distribute the Sacrement to the Deacons who pass the sacrement to the congregation.

There is a lot of symbolism in the sacrement, but the aspect that I find significant is the similarity to the way revelation and leadership occurs in the church. God has always spoken to prophets and had leasders. Peter, James and John were early leaders and made up what amounts to a Presidency of the church in earlier days. Today we have a Prophet who leads and directs the church as he is directed by Jesus Christ. Two counselors aid him in this work. The young men passing the sacreament in a sense represent this pattern of presidencies. The represent thos men designated to lead the church and they deliver the message (Christ as represented by the bread and water) to the Deacons much the way that the First Presidency delivers the message (Christ and his atonement) to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles. The Deacons represent the Apostles as they carry this message to the congregation which are representative of the whole church. There is a strength that I draw from seeing this similarity of patterns between the way Christ is delivered to the church and to each individual congretation.

Fight the good Fight!