Loving Life

Nightsurf

2011-06-28T10:37:00.001-06:00

This is beautiful filming and a genius idea!

It made me think of this song, one of my favorites.

Rem - Nightswimming

Ghirardelli Chocolate Squares

2011-05-04T09:09:00.000-06:00

Wow. These chocolate squares are seriously to die for. This isn't your run of the mill, check-out aisle candy. This is heaven in a wrapper. The best ones are the caramel ones. If you haven't tried one...run out and buy some. Hershey's Kisses will be ruined for you forever.

Of course the chocolate is outstanding but the caramel is so smooth and fresh tasting. I think there is something about how it's just a very, very thin layer of filling. Delicious.

Salt Lake Temple Letterpress

2011-05-01T09:19:00.001-06:00

I really love letterpress things. They are so detailed yet so simple and beautiful. I absolutely love this print of the Salt Lake Temple and would love one on my wall!

This amazing poster was made by hand, character by character, and took about 100 hours to make. I love the details of it and I especially love that it is all done with typefaces. Letterpressing is really an art and this is an incredible example of how beautiful it can be.

The artist that did this one has done a few other pieces as well. This video shows how it is done and features the artist talking about his work.

"With Honor"

2011-04-29T17:35:00.000-06:00

Yes, I know it's not even close to football season. But I still really like this cool, well-done commercial.

A New Car!

2011-04-28T19:04:00.007-06:00

My 1995 Nissan Sentra finally gave up on me. It was a great car and lasted much longer than I, or anyone else, thought it would. But the other day when I tried to go to work it wouldn't start. "Well, I knew this would happen one day."

The good news is I got a new car! I am absolutely loving my 2003 PT Cruiser. Luckily my dad happened to be in town when the old one broke down, so it was great to have his help at the dealership. Just a few of the perks: it can keep up with traffic while going uphill, the windshield wipers work, the cup holders are bigger and it doesn't smell like exhaust while I'm driving around. But in all seriousness, it is a great car with lots of fun features, it's spacious and it feels so much more solid. I'm so grateful for such a good car that works so much better.

Animal by Neon Trees

2011-04-08T06:12:00.000-06:00

This is a current favorite. Once it's in my head it's stuck there for a while:

A few months ago I was at Red Robbin with some friends when we overheard the waitress and the guy at the next table.

Waitress: "Have you ever heard of the band called Neon Trees?"

Guy: "Yes."

Waitress: "Has anyone told you you look exactly like the lead singer?"

Guy: "Um. That's me."

Of course, our whole table had to turn to see Tyler Glenn of Provo, Utah and Neon Trees.

"Joseph Smith: The Prophet of the Restoration"

2011-04-07T11:45:00.000-06:00

In 2005, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints produced a video about the story of Joseph Smith to be shown on Temple Square in Salt Lake City and in various other church visitors' centers.

While the original version of the movie was outstanding, the Church has released an updated version (about 40 percent of it is new) to add context to the story of the First Vision and to highlight beliefs such as temples, modern prophets and eternal families.

This is the first time the Church as released a full-length movie on the Internet and I can't wait to see the changes to the movie.

If you didn't get a chance to see the original Joseph Smith movie at a visitors' center, or if you'd like to learn more about the church I am a member of, please check out this movie!

Watch the movie!

True Grit

2011-04-06T19:29:00.000-06:00

Have you seen True Grit yet? Well, I did on Friday and wow, was it good! There hasn't been a new western for a while, and this one was well done. Not only were the acting and story good, but it was a beautiful movie. The locations were amazing and the filming was artistic. I highly recommend it!

(And yes, that IS Johnny Cash singing on the trailer!)

The World Will Know

2011-03-23T11:15:00.003-06:00

How can you resist amazing music and lyrics, newsies dancing around New York and of course, the future Batman standing up to Pulitzer and Hearst? You can't.

Newsies takes place in 1899 and tells the incredible true story of the two-week Newsboys Strike. This was the only child-led strike in American history. Back then, newspapers were distributed by extremely young, poor and often homeless boys who were not employed by the newspapers. They bought their papers and worked hard to sell all of them because if they didn't, they had to eat the cost of the extra papers they weren't able to sell. This is where the phrase "Extra, extra!" came from.

"There are 10,000 children living on the streets of New York....The newsboys constitute an important division of this army of homeless children. You see them everywhere.... They rend the air and deafen you with their shrill cries. They surround you on the sidewalk and almost force you to buy their papers. They are ragged and dirty. Some have no coats, no shoes and no hat."

- James B. McCabe, Jr.

Newsies, 1908, Brooklyn Bridge.

During the Spanish-American War, newspaper sales increased and publishers raised the cost of newspaper bundles so the newsies paid 10 cents more and the difference was offset by the increase in sales. However, when the war ended and most publishers decreased the cost, Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst (publishers of two major papers) continued to sell their papers to the newsies at the increased rate.

Standing up to this unfair treatment of child workers, the newsies banded together by the thousands, refused to sell Pulitzer and Hearst's papers and demonstrated across the Brooklyn Bridge, halting traffic and hindering the distribution of papers.

The details of the story of the newsies coming together, beating up sell-outs, refusing to accept bail from newspaper publishers, defending their rights and standing up for what they believed to be right is truly amazing.

Despite sometimes violent attempts by Pulitzer and Hearst to break up the rallies, the newsies stood strong under teen-aged, eye patch wearing strike leader Kid Blink. Due to their union and strike, the newsies caused Pulitzer's paper to decrease to about a third of its regular circulation.

"I'm trying to figure out how ten cents on a hundred papers can mean more to a millionaire than it does to newsboys, an' I can't see it. If they can't spare it, how can we?" ;

- Kid Blink

After proving to newspaper giants that paper couldn't be sold without newsboys and that they were determined to stand up for their rights, the newsies won. While Pulitzer and Hearst did not lower the bundle price, they did agree to buy back unsold papers.

Dickey's Barbecue Pit

2011-03-22T09:27:00.000-06:00

When the weather starts to warm up I always get this craving for barbecue. My absolute favorite is pulled pork sandwiches, but barbecue anything is good.

Over the weekend I went with my amazing friend Abram to the newly-opened Dicky's Barbecue Pit. If you haven't had a chance to eat there...do it. The barbecue was delicious but so were the rolls, waffle fries, sides and the free ice cream!

(And unfortunately, I didn't think to take a picture...so we'll have to settle with this...)

And of course, our waitress had the thickest southern accent.

Go Cougars!

2011-03-21T12:45:00.000-06:00

It is just me...or does this video give you the chills? If you haven't heard, BYU is having an amazing basketball season. Cross your fingers they keep going!

Bubble Blast 2!

2011-03-08T09:05:00.001-07:00

At the risk of sounding slightly nerdy....I love this game. I am nearing addiction. If you have an Android phone it is a must have.

Bubble Blast 2 is a puzzle game where you have to figure out how to pop all the bubbles on the screen in a limited number of touches....trust me...you won't be able to stop.

King of Anything

2011-03-03T13:39:00.000-07:00

Both this video and the song are one of my favorites:

Font Art

2011-02-20T11:10:00.023-07:00

These are fun:

1000 Frames of Hitchcock

2011-02-19T09:29:00.003-07:00

"Rear Window," "Dial 'M' For Murder," "Notorious," "The Man Who Knew Too Much." Alfred Hitchcock movies can't be beat when it comes to suspense and thriller films. His movies are artistic, well-scripted, deep, and the actors are first-rate.

The thing I love about Hitchcock movies is the suspense. You'll be on the edge of your seat from the opening scene until the end as you watch spies in action, murderers on the hunt, and people being held hostage.

Hitchcock summed up his approach to directing perfectly:

"There is no terror in a bang, only in the anticipation of it."

As you watch his movies you realize that what's happening on the screen really isn't that scary. What is scary is the plot, the possibilities, the unknown.

1000 Frames of Hitchcock is an amazing project by Dave Pattern, a devoted fan. For the project he took all 52 of Hitchcock's major films, and cut them down to just 1,000 frames.

He goes through the films, picks out the frames, and puts them in sequential order, so they still tell the story.

Here's a section of the frames from "North By Northwest:"

And here's all 1,000 frames for "North By Northwest" with some samples of the frames on the right.
You can see them all close up here.

Here is all 52,000 frames from the entire project:

For the black and white films, Dave made circles where the frames from the beginning of the film are at the top, the ones from the middle are on the bottom, and they go in a clockwise direction.

Here's a close up. Click here and you can explore the whole circle.

MASH

2011-02-18T17:21:00.005-07:00

Oh, I love M.A.S.H. Lately I have had some weird craving for it. My brother has the whole series on DVD and we used to stay up late watching it. The carefree, low-drama, and dry humor style appeal to me and for some reason I can't get enough of it!

Here's a few quotes:

"You're always wrong, Frank. That's what's so right about you." - Henry

[to a patient in cardiac arrest] "Live! That's an order!" - Charles

"Will you stop saying what I'm thinking?" - Henry

"One of us has to." - Radar

"What's Frank up to?" - B.J.

"I think he's vacuuming Korea. Eisenhower's coming; he wants everything just so." - Hawkeye

"This is the last straw!" - Frank

"Remind me to order more straws." - Hawkeye

"I wonder if I can say something useful?" - Frank

"I often wonder that too, Frank." - Trapper

"Blow in my ear." - Hawkeye

"What?" - Margaret

"I'm so cold I think my pilot's gone out." - Hawkeye

And if that doesn't make you want to pick up an episode. Try this:

AllRecipes.com

2011-02-17T21:15:00.001-07:00

Looking for something new to whip up for dinner? Tired of your same old, same old menu? Head over to AllRecipes.com and your troubles will be over.

I love this site. There is virtually an endless supply of recipes. One of my favorite features is the ability to search by ingredient. It's perfect if you have a fridge full of random things you don't know what to do with. The comments from people who have tried the recipe can be helpful when it comes altering recipes or making sure you know what you are getting into before you start.

Another neat feature is the ability to log in and save recipes in your "recipe box," and even create menus and shopping lists.

The site has an iPhone and iPod app, that I would like to try, out that lets you see your recipe box, search for recipes, access your shopping list, and even share recipes.

Utah Flash

2011-02-16T11:32:00.000-07:00

A few nights ago I went to a Utah Flash game! If you are in Utah and haven't gone, give it a shot. It was fun because the basketball was good, and it had a professional team feel, but at the same time it was smaller than going to an NBA game. We had third-row tickets and the Flash won.

The only sad part of the night? They only scored 99 points...one short of what we needed for free Crazy Bread.

Meiko

2011-02-16T09:04:00.001-07:00

I few years ago I got to see Meiko in concert with Lenka, who I absolutely love. Both were really entertaining performers and the concert was a blast. Meiko has some great songs that are light and fresh. This is one of hers I really like.

Sparrow Jewelry

2011-02-15T16:43:00.000-07:00

Recently I have been in love with bird jewelry. Things like this are so springy and cheerful:

Unstoppable

2011-02-14T10:29:00.001-07:00

Wow, this is a must-see movie. I recently saw this and it was more than I expected it to be. Based on a true story, Unstoppable is about an out-of-control, unmanned train that is speeding down tracks in Pennsylvania at speeds up to 80 mph.

It's amazing because the entire movie, from beginning to end, is about efforts to stop the train before it derails, dumping toxic waste and causing a terrible disaster, or crashes into other trains in its way. I was on the edge of my seat as plans like jumping from a helicopter, purposefully derailing the train, and stopping it with another engine unfolded. You have to see it to watch Denzel Washington fight against time and forces to save hundreds of lives.

Letterpress Printing: My Dream Hobby

2011-02-13T16:28:00.000-07:00

Someday soon I'm going to start this. I love, love these:

Divine Comedy

2011-02-13T16:13:00.001-07:00

If you haven't had the opportunity to experience Divine Comedy, you need to take a minute to do so. If you aren't in Provo, check out their YouTube channel and I guarantee you'll be rolling on the floor laughing.

Lots of the skits make reference to BYU and Provo culture, but some are more general and are funny to just about anyone. I went yesterday for the first time in a long time and had so much fun. I forgot how witty the skits are and waiting in line in a hall lined with people playing cards brought back memories of my sophomore year at BYU when I made it to almost every show.

In Missouri!

2011-02-02T17:46:00.002-07:00

I know this blog is WAY behind. I'm still working on catching up. So while this is old news, I'm still grateful for it. At the beginning of December my family moved down to Missouri, outside a town called Richmond. We are so blessed that things worked out. After going through lots of offers and looking at lots of houses, they finally found one they love.

My parents have wanted to move from Illinois to Missouri for a while, and finally got their chance. They have also always wanted an older house on some land; and this is it! The house was built in 1915 and is on 25 acres that includes ponds, woods, pastures, a barn, and a couple outbuildings.

Over Christmas I got to go down and visit. The house has so much charm inside and out. It's also in amazing condition for being so old. The land is beautiful and it's nice not to have any neighbors and to be out where it's quiet. My family loves every bit of it!

This has been in my head lately....

2011-02-02T08:00:00.000-07:00

Conan is Back

2011-01-25T21:26:00.005-07:00

At the end of the day I love more than curling up on the couch with Conan (well, not literally, but you know what I mean). And he's back! My sister and I waited with excitement and now we can once again watch him every night as he opens with hilarious monologues that comment on current events, survives crazy stunts and interviews celebrities.

BYU Rankings!

2011-01-25T21:13:00.004-07:00

Brigham Young University has done it again. Just a few rankings that hit close to home (and in the spirit of school pride):

BYU Public Relations Program Ranked in Top 5 - 2nd Year in a Row

BYU Basketball Ranked #9

I am so grateful for the chance I had to go to BYU and learn academically, spiritually and personally. I absolutely loved my time there and even miss it now and again.

"The Once And Future King"

2010-03-06T20:48:00.004-07:00

I have always loved King Arthur. I love his character. I love his story. I love what he stands for. I recently finished The Once and Future King (and it's sequel, The Book of Merlyn) and it is probably my favorite book. Other than anything by Agatha Christie, of course, but that's another post.

In my opinion, The Once and Future King is something everyone should read. It is full of life lessons about people, characters and societies. It talks about how most people are good, and that people should use their talents and skills for good.

Of course, there is the well-known story of Arthur learning by being turned into animals by Merlyn, Guinnevere and Lancelot betraying the king and the knights of the round table searching for the Holy Grail. But, this book is so much more than that. There are morals and lessons in every chapter and you feel like you have learned something every time you read it. It delves deep into psychology, societies and law.

The Once and Future King, written by T.H. White is based on Le Morte d'Arthur, which is supposed to be one of the "truest" versions of the legend. White's book was written during World War II and there are a few times when you can really see the author's feelings about the war. It is said to be his view on what the perfect society would be like.

The Book of Merlyn is a much heavier read. It picks up right where the previous book left off: King Arthur is an old man, about to go into battle, he has been betrayed by everyone he loves, his kingdom and the good of the world is crumbling right before his eyes, and he is wondering if all he has worked for and dedicated his life to was worth it. He contemplates the nature of man and realizes that there is only so much he can do as a leader. This book is basically a long conversation between King Arthur and Merlyn and there are long passages about why people do what they do and why societies succeed or fail.

Anyway, I could go on and on about these books but the best way to appreciate them is to read them for yourself!

"The best thing for being sad is to learn something."

"Might does not make right! Right makes right!"

"We cannot build the future by avenging the past."

"The bravest people are the ones who don’t mind looking like cowards."

"Don't let it be forgot, that once there was a spot, for one brief shining moment, that was known as Camelot."

Grateful for a Job

2010-03-04T20:21:00.007-07:00

I have a job! While I wasn't actually unemployed for that long, it seemed like decades. I am now working at PMA Media Group in Provo as a copywriter. PMA does mostly internet marketing and so far I have been writing Web site content. I'm also doing an internship (just a few hours a week) at Leadgenix, also in Provo. I am learning some SEO (search engine optimization) stuff which it turns out I love. Before now I only knew the basics, but learning all the ins and outs has been cool...yes, I am a nerd. I'm also still doing a few things for my dad's business: Civicus Consulting Group.

I am once again busy. That's one thing this job search has taught me: I need to stay busy to keep from going insane. The first few days it was great to not have any responsibilities, but that got old fast. I love to be in the middle of all the action and doing something. I guess I need to feel like I am making a difference and accomplishing something every day. It's good to be working again. I have never been so grateful to get up early for work in my life.

Michael Buble

2010-02-10T19:55:00.004-07:00

I love, LOVE Michael Buble. This behind the scenes video really shows his personality. It also has a montage of his music.

One of my favorite songs: Save The Last Dance For Me.

Michael Bubble - Save The Last Dance For Me

Top 5!

2010-02-01T21:04:00.004-07:00

The BYU public relations program was named among the top five in the country! This is the program I just graduated from in December. Go us!

We even made the BYU homepage!

Sherlock Holmes

2010-01-29T22:14:00.009-07:00

If you know me, you know I love murder mysteries. From Agatha Christie to Arthur Conan Doyle to John Dickson Carr and everything in between. I eat them up. I love trying to solve the mystery myself before the book ends. I love the cleverness and the way a good detective can see things most people would miss and can piece together clues in a way an average person could not. It sounds morbid but I love the untraceable poisons, the sealed-room puzzles and even the classic stand by ways to commit murder.

One thing that makes a murder good (besides being totally believable, plausible, and solvable for the reader, which is a whole other blog post) is the psychology behind it. It's fascinating to watch a character develop into such a state that they commit murder or to decipher personality, motive and ability to peg the guilty character.

Recently, a friend and I went and saw Sherlock Holmes. Wow, was it great. They did such a good job of bringing Holmes' personality out and keeping with the classic Sherlock Holmes style. The story, the other characters, and even the way Sherlock deals with villain when he finally catches up to him are all reminiscent of the stories. The darkness and twists are done well and it's enjoyable to watch Holmes battle to save the English government and cope with personal struggles at the same time. The movie also does a wonderful job of bringing Sherlock Holmes into the modern world of movies, adding action, romance and humor in all the right places. If you haven't seen it yet, go see it this weekend!

Updates and New Year's Resolution

2010-01-25T21:43:00.014-07:00

My sister Rebecca and I at the really cool Navajo bridge over the Colorado River in Arizona. It was built in 1929, it is 834' long and 467' above the river. It was absolutely breath taking. These cell phone pictures don't do it justice at all. It was so quiet and beautiful!

I know it's been three months since I've posted. I am repenting and resolving to do better. In fact, my New Year's resolution is to post at least twice a week. Hopefully more than that.

A lot has happened in the past three months:

I graduated! Well, I walk in April but I am all done taking classes at BYU! What a great feeling. Now if I can just find a job.
Went home to Illinois for Christmas! I really needed a break and it was so nice to get away from everything for a few weeks and spend time with my family.
Went to Texas to do some work with my dad and visit Grandparents. It was an absolute blast. We got some work done but also watched some favorite TV shows and played lots of games! I also got to see Swing! for the first time, which was great.
After driving from Chicago to Bedford, Texas with my sister, we packed up again and headed for Utah. We took a different route than normal and got to see some parts of the country I've never seen. Not only was it amazing to drive for days on end (we figured it was about a 40 hour drive all together) with my best friend, it was fun to see sites along the way. We made some great memories!

David Gray Concert

2009-11-03T15:52:00.004-07:00

Last night I went with a couple friends, Ryan and Jason, to a David Gray concert in Salt Lake. Wow, was it fun! David Gray is a great artist with real musical talent. He wore his signature suit while he pounded away at the piano, strummed on his guitar and sang his heart out, all without breaking a sweat. I really like how his lyrics are so full of feeling and the instruments really add to the whole experience. It was nice because the venue, Kingsbury Hall, is really not that big and more intimate. We had great seats. Here are a couple of my favorites: This Year's Love and Babylon. If you aren't familiar with David Gray, I highly recommend you look him up and start listening!

Shop Till You Drop!

2009-10-29T16:17:00.008-06:00

My sister and best friend Rebecca flew out a few weeks ago and spent a few days here shopping, watching movies and eating Chinese food. I don't think I have ever hit that many stores in that short of time before in my life! Rebecca is great, and I had the best time with her. The picture above is one of my favorite pictures of us. Sorry for the blurriness; it's a picture of a picture.

One of our favorite stores is Down East, whenever I go I could spend a fortune there. I love that their stuff is so classy but also different. So, we went there, to the malls, some outlet stores...and I know I'm leaving some out.

Rebecca and I also LOVE What Not to Wear. Every time she comes out here we watch episode after episode. It's fun to watch Stacy and Clinton put outfits together and even more fun to watch their witty banter as they help people dismantle then rebuild their wardrobe.

Thanks for the best weekend ever Rebecca! Love you!

Family, Football and Rook

2009-10-29T15:42:00.006-06:00

A couple weeks ago my Dad, Grandpa Call and Uncle Darryn came into town to go to a football game for my grandpa's birthday. It was so fun hanging out with them and my cousins that are going to school here in Provo. The game was great and I haven't played that much Rook in forever. If you know my family you know we love games and are competitive. I haven't laughed that hard over a game in ages.

My grandpa is a great man. I don't think I know if I know anyone who works harder than him. He has the greatest sense of humor and people automatically like him. Unfortunately we didn't take any pictures while they were here...so I'll just have to use what I have (or can grab off Facebook :) ).

Swine Flu

2009-10-29T15:32:00.004-06:00

Yes. The rumors are true. I have swine flu. While I wouldn't say it's the plague, it definitely isn't fun. One of my best friends Cliff sent me this amazing picture. Really helped cheer me up.

Religious Freedom

2009-10-15T15:12:00.005-06:00

If you haven't heard, Elder Oaks gave a speech at BYU-I about religious freedom. Elder Oaks talked about what he says is the "significant deterioration in the respect accorded to religion." With a background in law, Elder Oaks is certainly qualified to speak on this matter in a secular and of course spiritual context.

I really like where he talks about religious freedom being threatened by what some people claim are human rights. From a press release:

As an example, he referred to a set of principles published by an international human rights group which calls for governments to assure that all persons have the right to practice their religious beliefs regardless of sexual orientation or identity. Elder Oaks said, “This apparently proposes that governments require church practices to ignore gender differences. Any such effort to have governments invade religion to override religious doctrines should be resisted by all believers.”

I have never thought of the issue from this perspective. This speech has caused a stir among some members of the media and bloggers, and I agree with Elder Oaks' position and I think we should all remember that it is vital that we protect our religious freedom.

Here is a Q&A with Elder Oaks about religious freedom:

Did You Know

2009-10-14T00:52:00.009-06:00

People or Fish?

2009-09-18T12:44:00.002-06:00

I wrote another post for the Beyond the Universe Blog. Check it out. I would love to hear what you think about this interesting issue either here or on the Universe Blog. I won't tell you my thoughts here, since I think they are pretty evident from my post.

What Matters Most

2009-09-18T12:38:00.001-06:00

At Last...Good Chinese Food

2009-09-17T23:29:00.002-06:00

Check out my blog post on the Beyond the Universe Blog! Love this restaurant...

Commander in Chief

2009-09-09T17:55:00.007-06:00

I recently discovered a great show called Commander in Chief. the show opens with the death of a president and the debate about whether his vice president, a woman, should take office. Geena Davis plays the role of the president beautifully and it's so fun to watch her stand up for herself and her country as she becomes president and at the same time raises her kids. She brings honesty, humility and old-fashioned American vales to the White House as she leads through acts of terrorism, hostage situations and media issues. The show also has Donald Sutherland in it as the speaker of the house. If you haven't ever seen this show, I really, really recommend it. You can see all the episodes on Hulu.

This clip is from the first few minutes of the first episode. I promise, you'll get hooked!

West Side Story

2009-09-09T17:15:00.005-06:00

When I was down in Texas a few weeks ago I got to see the musical West Side Story at the amazing Artisan Center Theater. The theater is "in the round" which means the stage is in the middle and the seats are all around. The action takes place on stage as well as next to and even behind the seats. With sections only four rows deep, it felt like we were in the thick of a gang fight.

I gained a whole new appreciation for West Side Story, in fact, I almost cried at the end. The performers were so talented and their voices were amazing. The set was great and the dancing was so well choreographed.

Human Clock

2009-09-06T16:35:00.008-06:00

This site, called the Human Clock, updates every minute with a different picture that tells the time. The pictures come from all over the world; some showing naturally occurring numbers and some with a sign in front of a landmark with the time. Either way, it is really fun to watch.

2009-08-25T12:25:00.007-06:00

I know it has been forever since I've blogged. A few good things that have happened recently:

Went home to Illinois for 2 weeks.

Went to Idaho for a family reunion.

Moved to a new apartment with an awesome room mate!

Went to Texas for work and got to visit my grandparents.

Got my schedule set and will graduate in December!

Got a new computer!

Thomas Paine on Health Care

2009-08-14T00:15:00.002-06:00

Although this may be a little corny, I love the message and the idea of it.

Springville Museum of Art

2009-07-12T22:03:00.006-06:00

Last week I went with my friend Cliff to the Springville Museum of Art Sculpture Garden dedication. My other good friend Abram helped a lot with the planning and the media relations for the event. Wow, it was really neat! Elder Oaks spoke and then dedicated the garden. It is beautiful and it was a neat experience to hear an apostle speak in a more "casual," smaller setting.

The garden is full of sculptures from older and newer artists, including Cyrus E. Dallin. Elder Oaks told the story about how Dallin flew from back east to Springville in 1932 for the dedication of his sculpture of a woman pioneer in the Springville park. Elder Oaks mentioned that Dallin marvelled at how quickly he was able to get from the east coast to Utah, a feat which took the pioneers several months. A plane ride that is now a few hours was a 25-hour trip for Dallin in '32. Elder Oaks' mother was at that dedication more than 70 years ago and decided to name the child she gave birth to only days later Dallin.

Dallin was not a member of the Church although his parents were. When asked to sculpt the Angel Moroni statue for the Salt Lake Temple, he declined at first but later agreed to the job. He later said,

"My angel Moroni brought me nearer to God than anything I ever did."

The whole event was fun and interesting. I'm so glad I had the chance to go! Good work Abram!

"Give me liberty or give me death!"

2009-07-05T21:26:00.007-06:00

I had a great Forth of July hanging out with friends. I love this holiday because I love all the patriotism. Flags everywhere, fireworks, music, ahh, it's so fun. This day makes me grateful to be an American. Stories of George Washington, Paul Revere and Thomas Jefferson remind me of how amazing and miraculous the founding of our nation truly was. My dad is very patriotic and when I was younger he used to tell us stories about the founding fathers. One of my favorites is "The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. It starts like this:

Listen, my children, and you shall hear
Of the midnight ride of Paul Revere,
On the eighteenth of April, in Seventy-five;
Hardly a man is now alive Who remembers that famous day and year

He said to his friend, "If the British march
By land or sea from the town to-night,
Hang a lantern aloft in the belfry arch Of the North Church tower as a signal light,-
One if by land, and two if by sea;
And I on the opposite shore will be,
Ready to ride and spread the alarm
Through every Middlesex village and farm,
For the country folk to be up and to arm."

Probably one of my all-time favorite historical figures is Patrick Henry. I absolutely love his "Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death" speech. Of course I love the patriotism and the context the speech was given in but the writing is beautiful. The word choice and allusions are inspiring. I think I especially love it because I love politics and have considered being a speech writer...if my White House press secretary job falls through. ;) Below are a few excerpts from the speech and you can listen to it here. I highly recommend listing to it, it's amazing.

"Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offense, I should consider myself as guilty of treason toward my country, and of an act of disloyalty toward the Majesty of Heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings."

"Three millions of people armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us. Besides, air, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations, and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us. The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave."

"There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston! The war is inevitable—and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come!"

"I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!"

Ginger Chewies

2009-07-04T17:44:00.004-06:00

I just tried this recipe out today and boy is it a winner! I really love ginger snaps and these are really similar. They are nice and soft and chewy and, mmmm, so good!

2 1/4 c. flour
2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. ginger
1/2 tsp. ground cloves
3/4 c. softened butter
1 c. brown sugar
1 egg
1/4 c. molasses
1.4 c. sugar

1. Mix flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger and gloves.
2. Mix butter, brown sugar, egg and molasses in a separate bowl.
3. Add wet mixture to flour mixture and mix well.
4. Roll dough into 1" balls, roll in sugar and put on greased cookie sheet.
5. Bake for 10-12 min. at 350°.

UP

2009-06-22T13:51:00.004-06:00

See UP! This latest Disney-Pixar movie is really, really good. I'm not usually a cartoon fan but this one was really well done and the plot was great. The story is deep enough to make adults think but still at a level that kids can understand. The characters are so lovable and the story touches your heart as it makes you think about what is most important in life. One of my friends said it made him cry. I wasn't quite THAT touched, but still, it was good. :) If you haven't seen UP yet, go check it out!

Rodeo

2009-06-22T13:37:00.004-06:00

Last week I went to the rodeo with my friend Abram and some of his friends. It was so fun! My family used to go to the Spanish Fork Rodeo when we lived in Utah, but that was several years ago and I hadn't been to one since then. The Strawberry Days Rodeo in Pleasant Grove was really cool. I just learned that Strawberry Days is the longest running city celebration in Utah.

There were all the usual events and a really exciting dirt bike show. These guys were going up HUGE ramps and flipping around in the air. It was seriously amazing. Every time they went up they looked like they were just going to miss the landing pad on the top of the semi truck, but they made it every time.

I didn't have my camera with me and the delay on my cell phone camera made it so I kept missing all the action. So, my New Year's resolution (yes, I know it is June) is to take my camera with me everywhere!

My Song in the Night

2009-06-21T20:02:00.002-06:00

This morning I caught this on TV. It's a beautiful song and I love the video even more. Such a good depiction of service. Gave me goosebumps. :)

Happy Father's Day

2009-06-21T19:25:00.005-06:00

My dad is truly an amazing person. He is always there for me and my siblings. He is an extremely hard worker. My dad is an example to me of righteousness, leadership and love. My dad has always been very adamant about serving others. Through callings, work and on a personal level, he has served those around him, even when it may not be easy. I remember as a very young child going to deliver Sub for Santa gifts, helping clean the local high school and being taught to look for opportunities to help others.

I also remember the stories my dad tells. From the time we were very little my dad has told us stories. Sometimes they were true stories about himself, patriotic leaders, or people he knows. Sometimes his stories were out of books and the best ones were the ones he made up on the spot. The life lessons and morals he taught are priceless.

My dad is so fun to play games with, even if he does cheat. :) He got us started early on Junior Monopoly and now we're pros and can sometimes beat him...sometimes. He has always been involved in our lives and our interests.

I am so lucky to have my dad. He is the greatest man I know. His constant love, knowledge and advice mean the world to me.

Thank you Dad!

Oh the Irony

2009-06-18T12:11:00.001-06:00

So, I know this all happened a while ago and I remember hearing a little about it in the news, but, I just now found out about this particular story:

John Ziegler, a broadcaster in California showed up at the Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism award ceremony at University of Southern California. Katie Couric was to be presented with the award for her interview with Sarah Palin for "extraordinary, persistent and detailed" reporting.

So, Ziegler shows up and a police man tells him that if he wants to film he needs to go behind the barricades because only members of the media that were invited by the winners were allowed at the event. This is a little strange: an event honoring journalism is denying admission to journalists. Multiple security guards, police men and event coordinators tell Ziegler that he doesn't want to cover the event, but he wants to "demonstrate and express your point of view" to which Ziegler replies "just like Katie Couric did during her Sarah Palin interview."

Before you know it, a police man is telling Ziegler he is not there "for a legitimate purpose" and Ziegler is being handcuffed. As the police try to escort the handcuffed Ziegler away, he is laughing at how ridiculous the whole situation is. He also comments that Couric's interview wasn't journalism, but advocacy. Ziegler is known for his documentary called "Media Malpractice: How Obama Got Elected." However, that's a whole other story.

This is totally ironic. A member of the media is being arrested for trying to cover an event for "media excellency." While you could argue that Ziegler should have left when asked to, he did not do anything illegal. He was not causing a disturbance, trespassing or breaking any other law.

Near the end of the video the police ask the camera man to turn the camera off, he does, but leaves the audio on. The video then cuts back to Ziegler showing off the marks the handcuffs left on his wrists. Zieger's account and explanation can be read here. You need to watch the video below, it's extremly entertaining and ironic.

Anyway, whatever your political stance is, you have to admit this is totally ironic. If Couric's Palin interview qualified as "extraordinary, persistent and detailed," maybe Ziegler should be considered for the award. This story definitly fits that description.

Summerfest

2009-06-18T11:59:00.004-06:00

I went to Orem's Summerfest with some friends the other day. Even though it rained, we had a good time. Lots of booths to look at, good food and a cool old car show.

I remember as a little kid (when we lived in Orem) going to the Summerfest. Sometimes we went to the carnival and we always went to the parade. It's such a big deal! Everyone goes down to Center Street the night before and puts out blankets and lawn chairs to save a spot for the parade. I remember one year at the carnival my brother, Bob, won a frog at one of the games and we were so scared to take him home. Our parents aren't really animals-in-the-house kind of people. :) But, whether they wanted to be or not, they were good sports and the frog stayed. That is, until my brother got sick of him and flushed him down the toilet.

Mom!

2009-06-18T11:49:00.004-06:00

I know it's been forever since I posted. I've just been so busy! But, a few weeks ago my mom visited from Illinois! It was SO fun to see her and just hang out with her. Between all the shopping and old movies we just talked and ate out at fun restaurants.

We went up to see my grandparents (her parents) and aunts (her sisters) in Logan and then we headed down to Castle Dale to see another one of my aunts (another of her sisters). I haven't had that much fun or laughed that hard in a long time! While we were down in Castle Dale we drove out to The Wedge which is like a smaller version of the Grand Canyon. Holy cow! It was HUGE and man was it beautiful.

My mom is truly the best. She is an amazing wife and mother. I don't know what I'd do without her!

Sadly, I didn't take my camera with me, so I don't have any pictures. I need to get in the habit of taking pictures!

David McCullough

2009-05-24T21:46:00.003-06:00

A couple weeks ago David McCullough visited the Church History Library. I really like McCullough. For those of you who don't know him, he has won two Pulitzer Prizes and is the author of 1776 and other historical novels. I once heard him speak at a forum at BYU and wow, was it good! You can read the really, really good forum address called "The Glorious Cause of America: How a Course, Untrained Army -- 'rabble in arms' -- Stood Up to the World's Most Powerful Army here. I highly recommend it.

It's obvious when you hear him talk that McCullough has a deep respect for Latter-day Saints and he is not afraid to voice his feelings. This press release has all the details of his visit to the Church History Library. Here are a few quotes from the address he gave:

“You are truly doing the Lord’s work, because it matters. And if we don’t do it we are not fulfilling our responsibility as citizens. Not just as members of the Church but as citizens."

“You are caring for a national treasure here. The story of the Latter-day Saints, of Joseph Smith, of Brigham Young, and that incredible migration here is a great American story.”

Jason Mraz

2009-05-19T22:08:00.005-06:00

I've always loved Jason Mraz but lately I've been on a kick and can't get enough of his music. It's so light and catchy. I love the words to his songs, he fits so many in and talks so fast. It's funny because I once heard him doing an interview on the radio and he talks SO slow and sounds SO laid back when he's not singing. This video kind of gives you the idea, you should watch it! Also check out his site for some sweet music videos. I also recently discovered his blog which is a great; he's a talented writer. Just a warning, if you read the blogs, be prepared to skip a few posts, they aren't all totally clean, but most are ok. He's so entertaining and his music is awesome. Someday I'll see him in concert...

All Good Things Must Come to an End

2009-05-19T21:16:00.003-06:00

Well, at least until next season. Yep, 24 season seven ended last night. It was bittersweet. Following with tradition, some PR friends and I all watched it together, this time we had pizza and Brick Oven root beer (we really party hard, let me tell you). Wow, was it ever amazing! The finale is always two hours long instead of one and yet it still seems like only half an hour. There were some truly shocking moments. Okay, I admit it, I gasped out loud a few times. I love the characters of 24. The good vs. evil. Right vs. wrong. Patriotism. The idea that you can choose to make good out of bad circumstances. What an epic show. :)

SPOILER ALERT! The finale sort of wrapped up a few subplots: Tony was caught, Olivia will surely go to trial, head-honcho terrorist Alan gets caught, etc. But, in true 24 style, there are more cliffhangers and each new plot leads to a deeper story. I guess we'll have to wait a year to find out if Jack snaps out of his comma, if Tony ever pulls his act together and if Alan will pay for all the crimes he committed in this and (as revealed this episode) previous seasons.

P.S. I KNEW Jack was going to jump off that operating table! It couldn't have happened any other way!

TOTUS

2009-05-12T21:48:00.009-06:00

If you haven't checked out Barack Obama's Teleprompter's Blog, you need to. It cracks me up every time I read it. It is so sarcastic and timely. If you're on Twitter, you should also follow it. Sometimes it is just links to the blog, but sometimes it is other stuff. This one totally made my day:

"Biden says his dog Champ is smarter than Bo. Big Guy agrees but says Bo is smarter than Joe ... and housebroken, too. #BOTeleprompter"

"Did we just break the law?"

2009-05-12T21:13:00.008-06:00

"Nope. That's what you call dang fine reporting." I just saw State of Play with some friends over the weekend. Wow. What a good movie. Watch the trailer ! It's intense and full of action and suspense. I loved watching the interaction between journalism and media and the government, and of course, some public relations.

The story is all about journalists working with the police to solve a murder. Of course, it's not as simple as that because everyone has their own agenda, especially when the murder is linked to a congressman. Between a journalist wanting to get the scoop and at the same time help his friend, the police wanting to solve the murder as more and more people get killed, a congressman trying to save his reputation and public image, and a corporation covering the truth, this movie has an incredibly intense plot. I would definitely recommend it!

Mother's Day

2009-05-12T21:07:00.003-06:00

I know this is late, but I thought I'd post about how great my mom is. She is amazing! She incredibly smart and witty and has the best sense of humor. She knows everything about everything. I call her all the time and she is always there to give advice or just listen. She is also a wonderful homemaker and cook! Man, I miss her food...especially her cookies! :) I don't know what I would do without her. I am truly blessed to be able to call her my mom. I hope to someday be able to be half the mom she has been.

2009-05-04T00:56:00.004-06:00

This weekend I saw X-Men Origins: Wolverine. It was so much better than I thought it would be! I do like super-hero movies, but only when they have a plot. It's hard for me to sit through a movie that is driven only by explosions, car chases and super heroes flying around killing people. To me, a good movie has to have a good plot. It has to have a story. If it has a story, go ahead and add the car chases and explosions, I'm all for getting the bad guys if it adds to a story line! Wolverine not only has a good story but it engages you and connects you to the characters. Even if you're like me and don't know the X-Men story at all. It feels like you are seeing a timeless, epic story being played out. In short: go see it!

Simple Grace

2009-04-19T18:20:00.003-06:00

My friend Burgundy is in a music group called Simple Grace. They sing religious songs and are really good! Simple Grace goes to girls camps, firesides, etc. sharing their message. There was recently an article about them in Deseret News. I love good, uplifting music -- check this group out!

Comms Video

2009-04-19T17:57:00.005-06:00

My good friend Patrick has totally redone the Department of Communications Web site. It is a very cool blog-style site packed with info. If you go to it and scroll down to the "Featured Video" you can see a video I helped make for work. It's all about the department and how it helps further the missions of the Church.

Awesome Combo

2009-04-19T17:25:00.004-06:00

Two great songs, "Love Story" by Taylor Swift and Grammy Award-winning "Viva La Vida" by Coldplay, are combined into an amazing piece by Jon Schmidt. You must check out the music video! I love both songs and what could be better than them combined into one?

Toms Shoes

2009-04-14T20:02:00.009-06:00

This amazing organization (thanks for telling me about it, Elizabeth) gives away a pair of shoes for every pair people buy from them. It is such a cool idea that started in 2006. Since then Toms Shoes has given away more than 140,000 pairs of shoes to people in developing countries. Sometimes we take for granted the simple things in life.

Divine Comedy!

2009-04-14T19:46:00.005-06:00

I went to Divine Comedy over the weekend and it was just as good as it usually is! In fact, better in some cases. I think DC is one of those things that you fall in love with the first time you go and then after that it is never quite the same. Well...this one was great! It was the "Best Of" show so everything was top notch. I loved their "Dark NYght" sketch (spoof of Dark Night) and of course all the little random ones were great.

They are so good because they find the humor in every day things and in the sometimes wacky way of life of the average BYU student. Heck, even my 12 year old brother gets a kick out of them.

One thing DC is really good at is The Daily Universe spoofs. They alter headlines and they are SO funny. Their show dates, lots of videos and some DU spoofs are all on their site. Check it out and be ready to laugh till you cry.

Les Miserables

2009-04-08T23:57:00.004-06:00

Although It's been a while, I've seen Les Mis three times and absolutely love it. I've been listening to the music lately and it has reminded me of what an amazing score and plot it has. I think I was only about twelve when my dad took me and my sister to see it for the first time in Salt Lake City. I remember getting all dressed up and feeling so grown up. From the moment the music started to the last number, I was enthralled by the story, actors and music. I still am.

The tale of Jean Valjean working to change and prove himself is intertwined with issues of justice, revenge, good and evil, and love. The story is a great commentary on human nature and society. The development of the wide range of characters tells an amazing story of life. The musical is so moving and is not only beautiful to listen to but to watch! The turning stage and lighting create some wonderful effects.

Someday I would really like to read the book. If you haven't done so, you must see Les Mis once in your life! At least listen to the wonderful music!

Vampire Weekend

2009-04-08T00:53:00.003-06:00

One of my friends introduced me to this great band called Vampire Weekend. They are fresh and up beat. It would be way fun to see them in concert! But for now, this video of them on Letterman will have to suffice.

Harvard Student vs. Barney Frank

2009-04-08T00:32:00.002-06:00

I think this video is great! It's a Harvard student who simply asked Frank "How much responsibility, if any, do you have for the financial crisis?" Little did the student know, he was opening a flood gate and got Frank going on a defensive rampage. It's funny that a question like that from a student could get a member of the house so worked up.

Called To Serve

2009-04-04T12:35:00.006-06:00

You might have caught this great video between conference sessions. It's a music video style rendition of the hymn Called to Serve. I love it! On a related note, check out the blog my dad updates about my brother's mission.

Brick Oven Root Beer

2009-03-31T22:59:00.004-06:00

This stuff is basically the best root beer ever. A&W and IBC are close runners up. Once you start drinking it you can't stop. I found this really interesting article about root beer (I know it sounds boring but skim through it!) and who knew there were so many root beer brands out there?

Dwight Schrute?

2009-03-31T22:52:00.009-06:00

A BYU business professor recently did a study on how the addition of a "Dwight Schrute," a "socially distinct" team member, helps the team more successfully solve problems. Check out the news release. It's really interesting to read about the psychology of groups:

"According to Liljenquist, newcomers in the experiment didn't necessarily ask tougher questions, possess novel information, or doggedly maintain a conflicting point of view. Just being there was enough to change the dynamic among old-timers who shared a common identity.
When a member of the group discovered that he agreed with the new outsider, he felt alienated from his fellow old-timers - consequently, he was very motivated to explain his point of view on its merits so that his peers wouldn't lump him in with the outsider.
The person who found himself disagreeing with the in-group - and instead agreeing with an outsider - felt very uncomfortable. An opinion alliance with an outsider put his social ties with other team members at risk.
'Socially, that can be very threatening,' Liljenquist says. 'These folks are driven to say, 'Wait, the fact that I disagree with this outsider doesn't make me weird. Something more is going on here; let's figure out what's at the root of our disagreement.' The group then tends to analyze differing opinions and critical information much more thoroughly, and that facilitates much better decision-making results.'"

Bubble Baths

2009-03-27T23:49:00.004-06:00

There aren't many things in life better than a hot bubble bath or shower. My uncle works at Tahitian Noni and once in a while I get free samples! I absolutely love their sugar scrub. It is heaven in a jar! And their lotion is the best I've ever tried! I get really dry skin and it's really sensitive but this stuff works wonders! You should definitely try it!

An Angel in Queens

2009-03-22T16:46:00.005-06:00

I came across this article about a school bus driver in New York who uses more than half his paycheck to prepare and deliver meals to homeless people every night. While I am a strong believer in self-sustainability and independence, I think it is amazing that someone would take the time and money to help others while they get back on their feet.

What started as a project with leftover food from businesses has turned into a nonprofit called An Angel in Queens. This is an inspiring story about how one person, who doesn't have much himself, can touch the lives of many.

World Water Week

2009-03-20T21:31:00.004-06:00

Sunday, March 22 marks the beginning of World Water Week. In celebration, the Utah Tap Project will begin. You can help by donating $1 at participating restaurants for a glass of tap water you would normally drink for free. Your dollar can provide a child in a third-world country with clean, safe drinking water for 40 days.

While the idea is simple, this project has the potential to help millions of kids around the world. Tap Projects are being conducted everywhere and I think it's great that Utah has joined. So, go out to eat and donate a dollar!

Donate at a Restaurant
Donate Online
Donate Through Text

Utah Tap TV Spot from Mike Morris on Vimeo.

Facebook

2009-03-13T11:11:00.008-06:00

While I fully admit to being an active Facebook user, this video is so true. Thanks David for showing it to me!

"Why Giving Matters"

2009-03-12T15:22:00.007-06:00

Recently Arthur Brooks spoke at a Forum at BYU. While I didn't get to attend, I did listen to it online and it was one of the best Forums I've ever heard! Brooks is the author of "Gross National Happiness" and "Who Really Cares." In his speech he talked about the statistically proven fact that giving actually makes people happier. He gave two reasons for this: giving changes the way your brain works and giving changes the way other people treat you. It was interesting because Brooks is a Roman Catholic and he quoted Mosiah 4:21:

And now, if God, who has created you, on whom you are dependent for your lives and for all that ye have and are, doth grant unto you whatsoever ye ask that is right, in faith, believing that ye shall receive, O then, how ye ought to impart of the substance that ye have one to another.

Brooks also told a story about what he called a "magic briefcase." On a previous visit to BYU, he was given a briefcase that he stored in his closet and never used. One day the briefcase he did use broke and he began using the BYU briefcase. As he carried it around he noticed that people would read the briefcase and then look at him and, Brooks thought, assume he was a member of the church. As this happened he began to feel different becaue he felt that he was representing Latter-day Saints. As he used the briefcase he noticed something funny; he began to act differently. He joked that one way the church could change the world would be to give everyone a BYU briefcase. I love this story because it reminds us that people are watching and have high expectations of us.

At the end of his speech, Brooks listed four myths about giving:

1. Giving makes you poorer -- research shows otherwise.
2. People are naturally selfish -- no, they are unnaturally selfish.
3. Giving is a luxury -- no, it is a necessity for ourselves and our communities.
4. The government will take care of people -- this attitude has been proven to have negative consequences.

If you have the time, you should listen to the speech, it will be well worth it!

Walk the Line

2009-03-11T16:57:00.004-06:00

The other night I watched one of my favorite movies: Walk the Line. I like Johnny Cash's music and I love the movie portrayal of his life. Walk the Line is not just good entertainment, but it's a touching story of the importance of life and our relationships with others and doing good. It is also full of wonderful music and great scenes that depict the inspiration of some of Cash's songs. Joaquin Phoenix actually sang for this movie but the song below is Mr. Cash himself! If you haven't seen Walk the Line you're missing out!

I Walk The Line - Johnny Cash & the Tennessee Two

"The 39 Steps"

2009-03-08T12:07:00.002-06:00

I just finished "The 39 Steps" by John Buchan. Wow, what a good book. There is actually a really old Alfred Hitchcock movie based on it. One day I was browsing at the bookstore and came across the book and decided I had to grab it.

Originally published in 1915, the story is about a man named Richard Hannay who is bored of his everyday life in London until he meets a man at his apartment who tells him a crazy story about an assassination plot. Hannay comes home a few days later to find the man dead in his apartment. Because he knows about the plot and because he is now wanted for the murder of the man, Hannay goes on the run and travels across Europe dodging the police and those who are planning the assassination while he tries to figure out how he can prevent the planned murder and the outbreak of World War I, until he eventually has to come face to face with both.

I don't want to ruin the end but if you are looking for a good book, I really, really recommend this one!

24

2009-03-06T20:56:00.009-07:00

I finally got a chance to watch this week's episodes of 24. There were two on Monday and they were totally amazing. In fact, I would go so far as to say the second one just may have been the most suspenseful episode yet! A shootout in the White House? No one else has dared attempt that! If you don't watch 24, you should. This is the only TV show I watch on a regular basis and for good reason; it's the best ever!

"Some lines must be crossed."

Dad in Town!

2009-02-28T16:21:00.004-07:00

This past week my dad came to town to do some consulting work. While he was here he spoke to a PR class and was on a panel for PRSSA. It is so fun to have a dad who majored in the same thing I'm majoring it. It's awesome to be able to talk about public relations related topics and career plans for the future with him. He is an amazing person, as a father and as a public relations professional. I really look up to him and want to be like him someday.

When my dad dropped me off at BYU as a freshman, he took me to see one of his good friends and colleagues and told her to talk me into majoring in public relations. He had always told me I would do well in it and would love it. His friend told me to find my passion and do it. I have definitly found my passion in public relations! My dad was right. In short, I owe my career choice to him! :)

While my dad was here, it was so fun to go out to eat, watch movies, just chat and watch 24 with someone who is just as addicted as I am! I am so grateful and lucky to have my dad!

Lenka

2009-02-24T15:31:00.003-07:00

A while ago I went to a Lenka concert in Salt Lake with my best friend. It was such a great concert! It was actually part of the Hotel Cafe Tour so there were quite a few other artists there. Some were great; others were....different. Anyway, Lenka is fairly new to the music scene and her music is catching on. One of her most popular songs, "The Show" is on the radio quite a bit. Lenka's vibrant personality and great stage presence made for a great concert. She interacted with the audience a lot and got a kick out of several fans on the front row that offered to hold her mic when it kept slipping. At one point she started to introduce "The Show" and two words into the explanation the crowd started shouting "The Show! The Show!" to which she asked "How do you know?!" She looked like she was having the time of her life as she danced, sang and played the piano while the audience sang along. If you haven't heard her music, check it out!

The Show - Lenka

Welfare Square

2009-02-22T22:49:00.010-07:00

On Friday I got to tour Welfare Square for my capstone class project. It was so neat. We hear all the time about the wonderful things the church does for relief effort during disasters, emergency preparedness, etc. but rarely do we get to see it behind the scenes. Welfare Square was started during the Great Depression and still has so many amazing projects in the works.

One of the most amazing things to me was to see the boxes that are sent to disaster areas. One box, below, holds enough food to feed a family of four for 10 days. The boxes aren't very big and are easily shipped and distributed. The church also created a cleaning kit for Hurricane Katrina and it is now one of their most popular items.

It was interesting to see things like the Bishop's Storehouse, Bakery and Employment Center. It is great that the whole purpose of church welfare is to help people help themselves. This simple ideology goes a long way in fostering responsibility, respect and self-confidence. Regarding Welfare Square, President Monson said,

"Come to Salt Lake City and visit Welfare Square. Your eyes will glow a little brighter, your heart will beat a little faster, and life itself will acquire a new depth of meaning."

Twitter!

2009-02-20T00:08:00.002-07:00

So, I finally gave in and joined Twitter. All my friends and people I work with have been asking me and asking me if I'm on and when they hear I'm not they wonder why the heck not! So, I did it. We'll see how much I use it, but I think I may become hooked. It's a great way to share really short messages and communicate quickly with groups of people from your laptop or phone or even texting. It's also just fun to see what everyone is up to! We have had a lot of social media centered events in PRSSA (check out this site, it's the first one I've created!) and a few guest speakers who specialize in it. There are tons of PR benefits Twitter has to offer, so why not get started?

Elder Call

2009-02-19T21:02:00.006-07:00

I dropped my brother off at the Missionary Training Center yesterday. It was such a wonderful experience. Even though he is my younger brother, I have always looked up to him. He is serving in the Idaho Pocatello Mission and will be a wonderful missionary. I am so proud of him! The MTC was such a great place. Everyone was so friendly and welcomed Bob like a long-lost friend. While it was hard to say goodbye, I am so excited for him and glad that he has made decisions in life that have enabled him to serve the Lord. You can follow his mission at the blog my dad set up for him: Elder Robert M. Call.

Simon and Garfunkel

2009-02-16T17:11:00.007-07:00

I have always liked Simon and Garfunkel's music. They both have beautiful voices and their songs are so fun and mostly upbeat. I just saw this article about their surprise reunion. Apparently, Paul Simon was having a concert in New York and totally surprised the audience and brought Art Garfunkel out part way through and they did some songs together. I think this is great! They are so infamous together that it only seems right. Here's a quote from the article:

But there was a buzz in the air, probably because yours truly spotted Garfunkel’s singer wife Kim in the audience. At least a couple of us knew what was going to happen: Garfunkel, flown up on a private plane from the middle of a Florida tour, took the stage to a thunderous ovation. I mean, people were screaming — even Paul McCartney.

You know you're big when even Paul McCartney screams for you!

The Message of the Restoration

2009-02-16T16:48:00.004-07:00

Most of you know I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I just discovered that it has a YouTube channel called MormonMessages. I think this is so awesome. It's a wonderful way to reach a huge audience and to share messages of truth about our faith. I absolutely love the message in this video and the way it is done.

Carole King

2009-02-13T18:16:00.004-07:00

My dad is a huge Carole King fan. Lately I have been going back to my roots and listening to her music. Tunes like "I Feel The Earth Move," "Smackwater Jack," "You've Got A Friend" (this version has James Taylor too) and "Where You Lead" bring back memories of Dad's Thunderbird and cleaning the house on Saturdays. You'll probably recognize "Where You Lead" as the theme song of Gilmore Girls. My current favorites are "Up On the Roof," "Will You Love Me Tomorrow?" and "It's Too Late." Carole is a wonderful and talented artist with way too many good songs to mention here.

Australia

2009-02-12T22:25:00.003-07:00

I just saw Australia tonight. It was amazing! I know critics didn't love it...but I did! It had all the elements of an "epic movie" including romance, drama, comedy and action. I really like Hugh Jackman and he did a great job. I didn't realize it was directed by Baz Luhrmann who also did Moulin Rouge and Romeo + Juliet. I highly recommend it!

Why Blog?

2009-02-12T15:21:00.006-07:00

A while ago, some friends and I went out to eat at a Chinese restaurant. The fortune in my cookie said "Do not rush through life. Pause and enjoy it." One of my very good friends told me it was good advice and I should do it more often.

So, that is the inspiration for this blog. Instead of writing completely about myself, this blog will be full of things in life that deserve to be appreciated. From books to music to the fun things in life, it will be covered here!