Mormons, Mormons, Mormons!

We made it to the aughts! Just 9 days 'til Christmas. Garfield says that the greatest thing about Christmas is "the insomnia and anxiety kids get from having to wait." I feel ya buddy. It looks like the snow is going to melt all away before Christmas-we just need it to snow again to have a white Christmas.

To make this Christmas a little more special for my readers of the Latter-day Saint faith I've included this link. Watch the Mormon "tap"ranacle choir perform Max Weinberg's holiday song he wrote especially for Mormons.

Here I Go Again

Another quarter of school started for me today. I had last week off and spent my time getting ready for Christmas and sleeping in. That was really nice, but I'm back to the grind now. So far I've learned that (much to my surprise) statistics is not gobbledy gook, and health disparities exist not because of individual choices, but because of the Man. While I am supposed to have the support of an online community in my studies, I feel "like a drifter I was born to walk alone." But it's okay because I have David Coverdale to keep me company, and as you can see from the above clip that's all it takes to make one happy. Merry Christmas to all.

Christmas

About 8 months ago my now 3 year old nephew, with a serious look on his face, started wispering to his mom "let's talk about Christmas." That boy is a big fan of unwraping presents and everything else we associate with Christmas. Now that Thanksgiving has come and gone, it is finally time to talk about Christmas. I just finshed getting my tree and decorations up today. Last night my roommate got home and I was wrapping presents in a decorated apartment, wearing my new santa hat, while Christmas music played on the radio. The only thing missing was the smell of cookies baking.

The Who's epic rock opera Tommy isn't usually discussed for its ties to Christmas. However, on one of Tommy's childhood Christmas mornings, Townshend poses the query; being deaf, dumb, and blind, (and thus not knowing who Jesus was or what praying is) "how can he [Tommy] be saved?" (Note of explanation: This is footage from the movie Tommy dubbed over with the original version from The Who.)

While we're giving to charities and developing the Christmas spirit of post-visitation Scrooge, let's remember the reason for the season and spend time looking at the creche and thinking about why Tommy without a knowledge of Jesus can indeed be saved from the eternal grave.

Road to Nowhere

This morning, after breakfast, I took a walk with my parents and my grandparents, and I'm pretty sure we walked down the road to nowhere. It was a kind of dirt path/horse trail/atv trail. I'm with family in southern Nevada and it's pretty desolate here. They like to pretend this community is a picturesque look into the idyllic, agrarian past dreamed of by Jefferson, but the truth is they are getting pretty advanced. My grandparents have dish and wireless Internet which is why I can grace you with this post even though I am kind of in the middle of nowhere.

Interestingly, in his anthem, Ozzy discusses a theme that I've thought a lot about. He says, "The wreckage of my past keeps haunting me...I guess I'd do it all again." I think we all need to live with no regrets, we need to live so that when death comes we can say that we would do it all again. If it's too late, then live that way from today forward. Even if your past is like a wreck, and you wouldn't do it all again, make the rest of your life a pleasant drive down the interstate (with no construction). It is possible to wipe the slate clean, and that makes it infinitely easier to look back with pleasure on your past.

Holiday

I love holidays and I am always looking for a new holiday to celebrate. Every Tuesday is kind of a holiday with 2 for Tuesday celebrations everywhere. Everyday at 10pm (if I'm driving) I celebrate with "Get the Led Out," but I was looking for something more concrete. I thought Billy Joe had given me a new holiday, but saddly he was just whining about how our morals or ethical reasoning are now "on holiday," (it's a British term for vacation). I thought I would need to change my religion, my ethnicity, or my gender, or get married or have a kid to find a new holiday. Turns out all I had to do is listen to the U.S. Surgeon General, who once again lags at least 100 years behind the Mormons. The Surgeon General has declared November "Family History Month," and the 4Th Thursday as "Family History Day." (I think I've heard about the importance of family history somewhere before.) Basically, the Surgeon General is asking all Americans to find out about their family health history so people can be more aware of what unhealthy conditions they may be especially susceptible to due to genetics and commonly held beliefs, traditions, and other health-related activities. So celebrate this month any way you desire. Just remember, it's apparently not a party without a little family history.

Footloose

Few things define the 1980's quite like Kevin Bacon fighting for his rights and quoting scripture in Elmore City and dancing into our hearts to the tune of Kenny Loggins. Today I was blessed to relive those wondrous days. I got to watch a 30 minute short produced by Standford University about how to create effective Public Service Announcements for my health communication class. The catch is the short was made in 1986, so all of the good and bad examples were from the 80's and everyone was sportin' great 80's fashion. As I am a magnanimous soul I will share with you an example of an ineffective PSA. Who knew Star Wars could be so awesomely awful? Everyone who has watched the Star Wars Christmas Special that's who.

Beverly Hills

I feel like I'm livin' in Beverly Hills. I got some great stuff for my Birthday that makes me very like one of the red carpet personalities livin' it up in SoCal. I am sipping high class hot cocoa from my niece and nephew which was heated in a microwave (not over the stove or in the oven as it has been for the last few months) which I got from my parents, and I'm seated at my first kitchen table-procured with funds from my Grandparents and the U.S. government. The plant (which is usually not on the table) adds the color and homey feel that only a sister-in-law with a degree in Horticulture can give you. Thank you all, I am really living the high life now; the real one, not the alcohol induced high life promised by the Miller Brewing company. On that subject, for all you college students looking for an internship, Miller gives free happy hour EVERYDAY and 3 free cases of beer every pay period to all interns over 21, the only drawback is you have to work and live in Wisconsin.

Real [Man] of Genius

Halloween is truly one of the greatest holidays-you get to become anyone or anything you want, if only for a day. This year I chose Hulk Hogan and as you can see it was awesome-complete with a beautiful handlebar mustache that I am going to keep. I even got over-50 female support for keeping the 'stache from the other volunteers at the Senior Center. I had a good ol' time with the fam' and a fun time at the other parties I went to. Sadly, the crowd must have been too young to recognize the awsomeness of my costume, as I didn't win any awards. I am excited for NCAA basketball to start this month, the NBA just started, the World Series is wrapping up, and football is getting interesting-Fall is truly the most wonderful time of the year.

PS If my recent prodigious use of links has tired you out, do not excuse yourself from following this one-it is perhaps the best link I will ever supply you with, and I might just pare down my future use to please you (and squease you, if you know what I mean).

Green is the Colour

You French cinema enthusiasts might remember a little 1969 film called More about idyllic life on Ibiza. Partiers in Ibiza enjoy the lush, rolling green hills often associated with Ireland or New Zealand. I will soon be a partaker in their joy. My apartment complex started putting in sod today, and while the dirt yard was nice, I think I'll like the grass even better. This is another example of me getting excited about the mundane, but I'll try to deal with it-it happens to the best of us. I mean even Snoop dogg pontificates about grass in Starsky and Hutch, so why not me? (mild expletives in this clip) And Green is the Colour is one of my favorite Pink Floyd songs (they wrote and performed the soundtrack for More including this ditty).

You're the Best Around

So I realized this week that I'm kind of a loser. My roommate finally got us a shower curtain and a rod, and the first time I saw them I was so excited-giddy with anticipation. I hope you don't know how hard it is to take a shower with no curtain while keeping the floor and the toilet relatively dry, but let's just say it's been a struggle. So when you start getting excited over shower curtains, your coolness level plummets (good thing mine was so high to begin with). Of course (to bring up Halloween again) if you get excited about shower curtains because you bought one to follow in Ralph Macchio's footsteps then your coolness level sky rockets, and perhaps you too will become the best around. By the way, I recommend that costume if you don't have an idea already. A nice young man named Dan tells how he did it here.

I Can See Clearly Now

Happy World Sight Day! I am sure glad I can see well enough (those who have been on my softball team might disagree but...). I am also glad that Johnny Nash taught us all about the wonder of seeing clearly. Coincidentally, it has stopped raining here in Richland. Just a reminder that the Red Sox are playing in the ALDS tonight at 9:37 EDT on TBS. For those of you who don't have the luxury of cable you can view all postseason games on mlb.com for the low price of $10. Now you have no excuse.

Real American

It is almost Halloween and I hope everyone knows what they are going to be and how they are going to celebrate. I am pretty excited about it, I love Halloween. I will hang a scarecrow called Craig, carve a pumpkin, and I already got a skull for the entertainment center. I am growing out the goatee so I can pull off Hulk Hogan as well as the young gentleman above. Throughout his wrestling career, Hulk taught that we should all be real Americans (you WWF fans know what I'm talking about and while you don't need this link, you will enjoy it). Richard Zerhinger deserves some credit too of course for helping Hulk spread this message. Now I'm spreading it to you-be a real American. Eat an entire pizza. Complain about taxes. Watch a war movie. Play X-box or Wii. Lie to your boss about being sick and go golfing (men) or shopping (women). I know I will.

Hate (I really don't like you)

Craig Thompson has forever cemented his place on my hate list. For all you Direct-TV users out there please be advised that you will be unable to watch a top 10 college football team Saturday as result of his ignorance, greed, idiocy, dim-wittedness, and just plain stupidity. And most TV users in general will be unable to watch 3 top 25 teams all season. I suggest everyone do what my roommates and I did a few years ago to effect change in the 2004 AL championship series. Make a scarecrow (use wadded paper instead of straw if you must as we did), name it Craig, and hang him from the rafters. I lament that we did't burn Derek (Jeter of the NY Yankees), this year I will most certinly burn Craig-and I hope you do so as well. When talking about your project and pointing out your effigy, always use first name only-it further debases him. Craig, hate is a strong word, but I really, really, really don't like you.

Movin' Out

I had a hard time deciding what to title this post. Billy Joel wrote and sang about my physical situation (see post title above) and Leonard Cohen wrote and sang about my emotional state (in his hit song 'Hallelujah'). That's right, I moved out of my parent's house into a new place about 5 miles away. It's a 2 br apartment and my roommate is moving in this weekend. He's a recent BYU grad who's looking for a place to live in the area so he doesn't have to live with his parents. It's so nice just to be able to have my own place and space. I always felt somewhat cloistered and like someone was also looking over my shoulder (even if they weren't). I feel like shouting "Hallelujah." My parents should be okay for a little while as my brother's family are back in the basement until they can move into the home they just bought in 2 or 3 weeks; after that I expect a complete meltdown.

Deep in the Heart of Texas

Last weekend my dad and I flew to Dallas and watched BYU beat OU at the new Dallas stadium-it was awesome. Let me tell you all about it.

We drove 2 1/2 hours to Spokane before we even got on the airplane, but we saved $100 on tickets so I guess it was worth it. We took Frontier, and now I love Frontier! They had little TVs in each seat like you get on big or international flights, and to further add to my delight the complimentary beverage service was made up of Pepsi products. Instead of forcing barqs or sprite or coke down my gullet, it seemed as if I were at Mt. Olympus drinking the nectar of the Gods with Zeus himself. I felt like echoing the immortal words of Jimmy Page, "Valhalla I am coming."

We had a layover in Denver and went to a Mexican restaurant where I received by far the worst service from the waitstaff that I have ever received. We had to seat ourselves and get our own menus. Our water was never refilled and the waitstaff stood in the corner and chatted noisily most of the time while we were staring at them waiting for our menus, water, food, check, and change. My dad gave them a 50 cent tip, and he way over tipped. After the food fiasco we found our gate, scanned the crowd waiting for the flight, and immediately saw a bunch of BYU fans from Salt Lake there on a layover on their way to the game (there were dozens of us).

Once we got to Dallas we met my uncle and cousins who drove out from Missouri, and drove down to Waco to stay with another cousin. Little did we know that he had just moved into the place and had no furniture. He did have 2 bowls, 2 spoons, 3 cups, milk, cereal, bread, peanut butter, and a can of chili. The next morning we ate breakfast at Denny's and a Texas fan sitting near us cheered us on to victory (University of Texas fans hate OU and visa versa).

We finally got to the stadium, parked 1/2 mile away, and started looking for scalpers (as my cousin from Waco was supposed to buy tickets thought scalping was a better idea). Anyway, we got in with great seats in the BYU cheering section and had a good time. The a/c was on (but it was still hot in there) and the replay screen was amazing. Stretching 60 yrds on either side of the field, it gave one a great look at the action going on below. As most of you know, the game (though sloppy at times) was one heart pounding moment after another. After the game we went to Buffalo Wild Wings for dinner and a full recap of the day's events. What a great time!

Anatevka

This post will include a little bit of this [and] a little bit of that as I wrap up the summer.

This week I went to the Benton/Franklin County Fair with my older brother and his family. I got some awful freedom fries (ha, ha), a delicious polish sausage corn dog, and fresh lemonade to rival that of Hot Dog on a Stick. We saw all the animals and my nephew got to ride the carousel, but his favorite part was dancing to the Beach Boys (no Brian Wilson, sad). Now before you get all jealous of me, let me say that as the familiar strains rolled toward us from the stage my first thought was, "hmm, a second rate cover band." They got better as the night progressed, but I was disappointed on the whole. That's why I didn't go back tonight for Night Ranger.

Earlier this week, I read the following headline in the local newspaper: New tests find heart attack quicker, better. "Oh nooooo!" I screamed. "We have a new virulent strain of heart attacks that are both faster and 'better' (more effective?). How will we combat this new evil?" I had visions of The Brain Eaters (those little worms from outer space that eat human brains that I told you about in an earlier post) and their little friends The Heart Eaters, coming together to stage a coup and take over the world.

Today on TV I learned that the WWF was back in business, my life was once again complete. Trusting my all (TV has never led me astray) you can imagine my despondency at finding out it was the World Wide Fund for nature; who, while founded in 1961, obviously stole the anagram from the Woldwide Wrestling Federation.

Many of my more educated reader's remember Alfalfa's soliloquy when he proclaimed that God himself looked down from heaven and said, "I hate you Alfalfa." These past few weeks I have had a simular outlook on life (God hating me, not Alfalfa) as I have experienced many twists and turns and highs and lows recently. I have dropped out of Hospice due to good behavior (high) and wanted to move out of my parent's house and rent a room from somebody but didn't find anything (low). A young BYU grad showed up at church and said he was looking for a roommate (high). I found an available, affordable two bedroom apartment (high). I went to go see it Saturday, checked with my roommate on Sunday, went to pay the deposit on Monday, and it was already leased (low). There is not one apartment in Richland or Pasco with a two bedroom available until October (low). I thought I finally found one in Pasco (high) and then they tell me when I get there to pay the deposit that it is a low income only complex (low). At each new low I felt like Mola Ram himself pulled my heart out of my body, and I wonder, why tantalize me with highs if you're going to follow it up with a new lower low? How can I be progressing if I'm stuck in neutral here in West Richland?

Well I hope everyone had a great summer. I for one am looking forward to fall-best sports time and best weather of the year. Here's a teaser: I won't be here next weekend!

Happy Birth-a-day Mr. President

Happy Birthday President Obama. If Marylin were still here, I'm sure she'd be singing to you today as you celebrate the big 4-8. Please indulge me a moment while I share my favorite Marylin Monroe story. When Marylin went with Joe to meet her future mother-in-law, Mrs. DiMaggio, she wanted to make a good first impression. She had to use the bathroom while at Mrs. DiMaggio's house and didn't want her to hear her pee, so she turned on the water faucet to cover up the noise. After the meeting, reporters asked Mrs. DiMaggio what see thought about Marylin. She answered, "she's a nice girl, but she pees like a horse." Backfire!

I recently learned a very valuable lesson; just because one 60's black and white sci-fi movie is awesomely bad, that doesn't mean all 60's black and white sci-fi movies are awesomely bad-some are just bad. Months ago I saw 'The Head Without a Body." It was awesomely bad. A doctor and his fiancee get into a car accident where she gets decapitated. He saves the head, keeps it alive, and goes looking in brothels for a new, hotter body for his fiancee. Awesome. A few days ago I watched "The Brain Eaters." An alien species of worm borrow their way into human brains and take control of the brains and actions of their victims. Sounds awesomely bad doesn't it? Nope, it's just bad.

So remember that stereotypes are sometimes right, but sometimes wrong. Try not to judge based on pre-conceived notions based on stereotypes, you may be way off base. I know I was.

Bastille Day

To all of my francophile readers, I am deeply sorry I missed Bastille Day (July 14th); and to all my readers, if you have thus far missed the Rush song of the same title, I am deeply sorry for you. Neil Peart recounted the storming of the Bastille, and as scholars are constantly comparing the American Revolution with the French Revolution every American should listen to the awesomeness created by the Canadian trio.

On a related note, today (Friday) was free fry-day at all area restaurants that use Lamb Weston french fries. Lamb Weston-the #1 french fry producer in the United States-is this year's major sponsor for the annual unlimited hydroplane race this weekend (Columbia Cup-on the regular ABRA circuit since 1966), and they wanted everyone to experience their delectable fries.

Today (July 24th) was also (for Salt Lake City and Mormons everywhere) Pioneer Day. I still don't understand why people outside Salt Lake Valley celebrate this holiday-but here we are. We had a family friendly party in my stake-there was a dunk tank, a ring toss, face painting, a craft center, gunny sack races, horse-drawn trolley rides, a brass band, a 60's cover band, a stick pull, and of course dinner.

Signs

Tesla not only brought us the AC half of the legendary AC/DC, he also brought us a plethora of great blues metal songs, my title being one of them (actually a cover by Canadian rockers Five Man Electrical band). The lyrics are an obvious social comment on exclusionism and discrimination, inherent in many signs which direct not only traffic but behavior. In my travels this summer (not with Charley) I've see many signs, but none as good as the three signs below.

In Oregon I saw a beut-a road sign directing traffic to take this on ramp toward Roberts, ID, and Butte, MT. The sign read "Roberts Butte." Of course my demonic little mind immediately saw (this way to) Robert's Butt; and if local teenagers don't vandalize that sign at least every few months, they are not doing their job.
Another great one I spotted was on a turnabout on the way to Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park; the sign warned would be micturaters that there was "No Peeing Here." So we waited until we got to the next turnabout and took care of business. (My dad actually found this one first and pointed it out-glad he still recognizes humor).
The final sign I found here in good ol' West Richland. On a pasture gate was a small sign, "No Sign Posting Allowed.," a sign denouncing signs. Les Emmerson would be proud.

Hot Dog

I spent my first 4th of July in Oregon in Medford last weekend with my uncle's family and friends. We went to the parade, had a BBQ, went swimming, and (of course) watched the fireworks. It was a lot of fun, even though the exhibitionist didn't show up in the parade this year.

Only a few days ago (July 4th in fact) Joey Chestnut successfully defended his title at Coney Island in Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest by eating 68 hot dogs and buns in just 10 minutes, a new world record. From 2001-2006 the title was embarrassingly held by Takeru Kobayashi, a 5'8" 168 lbs. Japanese man (nothing against the Japanese, but this record should always be held by an American). In 2007 Chestnut brought the title and with it pride back to the fatest nation in the world by dispatching Kobayashi. He currently holds 19 world records in his sport (kiss his butt Micheal Phepls) and he also completed the gallon challenge in 41 seconds-how is that even possible? The I.F.O.C.E. (International Federation of Competitive Eating) who ranks Chestnut as the #1 competitive eater in the world says that Chestnut "is truly an American hero and a national treasure," my sentiments exactly.

I hope by now that most of you know of my natural hatred for country music. I want you to know that I don't necessarily hate the artists, I hate the style and presentation. Take this blog title; if Tim McGraw got a hold of it, he would suck all goodness out of it and spit the proverbial pit of putrescence back onto the road to somewhere (not the road to nowhere-that leads to the Ozzman). Jimmy Page and Robert Plant co-wrote that song and these lyrics from it:
"I thought I had it all sewn up
Our love, a plot, our pick-up truck..."
Sounds like country music doesn't it? The song is about how a guy went to Texas, got a girlfriend, and she left him; vintage country. However the vocals and music are performed by Led Zeppelin and is most definitely rock. It is on one of my favorite albums 'In Through the Out Door.' Yea for hot dogs, overeating, and all things American!

The Star Spengled Banner

As the sun rose majestically over the horizon on the last morning of Woodstock, Jimi was on stage reminding all the druggies and sex fiends that they lived in the best country in the world. If you've never heard his live version of our national anthem, played that morning, then you must find a copy of it and listen to it on or before the 4th of July.

I experienced the above on the best Independence Day of my young life. We were camped out for the parade across the street from BYU's closest thing to a frat house, "Awesome City." One of the (let's call them pledges) climbed up on the roof and just as the daylight was breaking he performed a passable rendition of the Hendrick's performance. What a way to celebrate America! Here's to the good ol' U.S.A. I wish everyone the greatest day of independence ever!

Just so you know, I know it's not the 4th yet, but I will be at my Uncle Cory's in Oregon on the 4th and unable to post then. So even though Noddy Holder and Jim Lea wrote "weer all crazee now," at least I have retained my sanity for the time being.

Pink Houses

This week my parents and I traveled to the Washington peninsula and saw the beautiful, lush, green side of Washington. We went to Port Townsend, Fort Worden, Squim, Hurricane Ridge, Port Angeles, several waterfalls, Lake Crescent, Rialto Beach, Forks, [for Stephanie Meyer fans, that tiny town is where 'Twilight' is set (I kind of hate myself for knowing that)], Hoh Rain Forrest, and Ruby Beach. We traveled mostly on hwy. 101 (and through small towns galore) and just at the junction of 101 and 20 we stopped at Fat Smitty's, a "famous" hole-in-the-wall burger joint that was delicious and had awesome statues of a burger and a pepsi bottle out front.

John Cougar wrote about some of these towns in both "Small Town" and in my post title "Pink Houses." He romanticises particularly about one man as "he's got an interstate runnin' through his front yard, you know he thinks that he's got it so good." Now these people don't have an interstate running through their front yard, but they do have a state highway running through the front yard and that's close enough (besides state highway doesn't fit the iambic pentameter of John Cougar's song).

We had a great time and got to see both a rain forrest [but it wasn't raining (sad)] and an ocean beach on the same day [but no tide pools (another sad)]. I wanted to see the glaciers too, you know complete the tri-fecta of Olympic National Park, but it was a 17 mile hike through the rain forrest to get to them (we opted for the 1.25 mile trail that winds through the forrest).

America the Beautiful

Last night I went to the home opener for the Tri-Cities Dust Devils; the minor league single-A team (different and less cool than The A-Team) affiliated with the Colorado Rockies. The baseball wasn't really that great, but it was a fun, festive atmosphere, and there were fireworks after the game. As I gazed into the vast, dark sky at the bright flashes of color, the stadium speakers charmed the spellbound audience with the sweet strains of Ray Charles' rendition of America the Beautiful. You probably remember that version of the famous ballad from the romantic scene in 'The Sandlot,' when the neighborhood friends gather to play a night game with only the light of the fireworks to brighten their diamond; a feat only viable to one still entranced with childlike wonder. I have always thought it would be nearly divine to play midnight baseball in Alaska during the summer solstice. America truly is beautiful.

Dazed and Confused

Imagine my confusion when I came upon this little headline in today's newspaper, 'California Regulators find pot Smoke Causes Cancer.' What is going on? I rescind my supplication for good weed as it apparently causes cancer, not cures it. I wish they would just make up their minds.

On an unrelated note, it's Father's Day tomorrow, and I wish many happy returns to all the Father's out there. You have a tough job, but my dad did a pretty good job raising me, and teaching me and showing me what's really important in life. Love you dad!

Chester the Chubby Elf

For the last couple of months my 2 1/2 year old nephew Grant has been whispering to his parents, "let's talk about Christmas." I remember the old LP we had when I was a kid about the chubby little elf named Chester who saved Christmas. My older brother and I (coincidentally Grant's dad) loved the story and the songs. Even though the title of this post is a Christmas song, we're not going to talk about Christmas.

I am going to talk about the trip I just made from WA, to UT, to ID, and back to WA. My parents and I dropped Kaleb (my little brother) off at the MTC, moved everything out of my house, went to my cousin's wedding, and did some reconnaissance for a family reunion. It was during this last phase of the trip that we drove through the tiny towns of Declo (pop. 338) and Albium, (pop. 262). They of course reminded me of Chester, UT (too small to get pop. from the US census) and the Chester challenge. Chester is a thriving metropolis on highway 6 just north of Ephraim. The challenge is to hold your breath the whole time you are driving though it. I've never met someone who failed the challenge.

Cheatin'

In Doug Hopkins' above ballad he assumes innocence from cheating on his wife/girlfriend because "she reminds me of you." While I think that is a hillarious excuse, I still don't condone cheating except in card games.

On another cheating note Manny Rameriz cheated our national pastime, his employer, and his fans in L.A. by trying to become a woman-I hope he's heard plenty of transgender jokes at his expense. He deserves it for his unpardonable crime of cheating at baseball by taking illegal substances (the woman hormone pills he took block other pills from being detected by drug tests). He was suspended 50 games by MLB (there are 162 games a year so it's not as bad as it sounds). He is now 5th in NL All-Star outfield voting. I call on you to spread the word and vote as many times as possible for your choice of any NL outfiedler below him in fan voting (my choice is Justin Upton). We must keep the cheater out of the All-Star game as it is a game for those with talent and those who actually play the game. It's not for cheating losers who sit on the bench because they got caught. Go to mlb.com and click on the banner that says: vote now. Vote early and vote often, voting ends July 2nd.

Blood on the Tracks

If you or someone you know wants to know how I'm doing just follow the advice of Robbert Zimmerman, from the above album, "say for me that I'm all right." Really I am doing pretty good considering. I'm often fatigued (but not really sleepy-figure that one out), I don't have much of an appetite, I can't really hear out of my left ear (stereo isn't really that much better than mono anyway), my balance and stair climbing prowess isn't what it used to be, and my head always feels like it's stuffed and swollen.

Otherwise I'm fine. I don't get out and do too much due to some physical restraints and the fatigue, but my mom is taking good care of me and is helping me to do something everyday. So really you can be assured that I'm okay and you can tell those who don't want to be taught life lessons by the poets of rock (those who don't read my blog) that I'm okay.

A Little's Enough

While most mainstream music deals primarily with worldly or contemporary ideas and thoughts, occasionally you come across an artist who wants to spread the gospel of Christ. I believe we should find truth wherever we can, we come across it every day. Of course we should find truth primarily in Scripture and the words of modern day prophets, but our friend Tom Delonge penned "God himself is coming home to say...I can fix anything, if you let me near." This is true. We must let God into our lives and accept Him and His plan and His commandments.

Changes

David Bowie taught us all that while we can't change time or other people, we can change ourselves as long as we don't waste time by chasing it. So I made a change, I changed the title and the text of one my posts to fit in with my theme of what a commenter called "rock philosophy," I changed the name to (Let's Go) Smoke Some Pot. It's a farcical, whimsy tune by Dash Rip Rock. It's also a parody of the 50's hit Let's go to the Hop (for the young crowd the title references a 'sock hop,' a dance where you take off your shoes and dance in socks). I will use other music to philosophize about, except for country-that goes against all I stand for and all I hold dear in this world. So buckle up and get ready for the ride of your life.

Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?

I guess it's time I talked about time-my time. After ending treatment at the end of March all my oncologist had to say about the matter was, "remember how fast your tumor grew back after the first surgery" (it was about 3 months). So I did some research online and found these stats-for 20-35 yr olds treated at UCLA median survival was 960 days, I am on day 574 (not treated at UCLA); for all patients under 50 treated with standard of care the median sutvival was 19 months (month 19 ends in a week); and the average survival for patients under 50 treated with standard of care was 17 months. I have had a little more than the standard (5 months of Avastin). Draw your own conclusions.
Also I recently researched Clare Torry's career-she gave what I consider to be one of the finest female vocal performances of all time on The Great Gig in the Sky on Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon-which consequantly is the #3 best selling album worlwide of all time and spent a record setting 714 weeks on Billboard's top 200. I was even more amazed that Torry did the recording in one take and was a mere cover singer-amazing. The phrase "I am not frightened of dying, any time will do, I don't mind. Why should I be frightened of dying, there's no reason for it..." is spoken at the beginning of the track by Gerry O'Driscoll (the doorman at Abbey Road where the album was recorded). This phrase brings great comfort to me as it reminds me that there is no reason for me to fear death. I will be rockin' in the bosom of Abraham while the rest of you suckers continue to slog through life. The afterlife should not trouble any Christian, especially one with the extra knowledge I've been blessed with through God's prophets in this era. Thank you Mr. O'Driscoll.

A Great Day for Freedom

As we celebrate Memorial day this weekend my mind turns to Pink Floyd (as it often does). David Gilmour taught me that any day is a great day for freedom in the album, The Division Bell. He says,
On the day the wall came down
They threw the locks onto the ground
And with glasses high we raised a cry
For freedom had arrived.
He is apparently making a reference to the fall of The Berlin Wall, and how freedom was enjoyed after the fall. He goes on to warn though that
Now life devalues day by day
As friends and neighbors turn away
And there's a change that, even with regret, cannot be undone.
It is important to remember our freedoms, and the price that was paid for them. It is important to make sure that we do nothing to devalue our life, or the lives of others in this freedom we enjoy. To add value to your life you should listen to this album (The Division Bell) as it is great and it's not just me who thinks so (one track receieved an Emmy and the album was #1 in the US andthe UK for 4 weeks).

(Let's Go) Smoke Some Pot

As some you know, I found out a couple of weeks ago about a monumental study wherein 2o rats and 2 people were injected with THC and it totally reversed their GBM brain tumors. To update you-the study was actually done in Spain (even more legit now). Also I discovered (thanks to a comment on the article) that cannabis is actuallythe biblical Tree of Life, and it's leaves are for the healing of the nations.
So I repeat my request for those who may not have heard; if you know of a place to get some quality weed (except for Canada, I'll never go to them for help) let me know. Besides curing brain cancer in two whole people, it has made thousdands of us feel so much better-especially back in 60's. It looks like we should heed the words of Dash Rip Rock and smoke some pot.

Goodbye to Romance/Provo

An artist once said, "Goodbye to romance, goodbye to friends, goodbye to all of this." That's how I feel as I prepare to leave Provo and return to WA. I've had such a good time here with school and working. My friend's I made will last a lifetime. I've certainly learned a few things about myself and working/living with others. I enjoyed everything from lots of parties, to sporting events, to basically working as a pro-bono adviser to a scrapbooking company-for a class project that worked out better than I thought it could.
I've ended treatment for my cancer-my oncologist and neurologist comfirm that any treatment is not curative, so no need to prolong the inevitable at this point. I am feeling better than I have for awhile. I have more energy, and am spending less time with my best friend, the TV. I really have taken a lot of solace recently in listening to the messages in music, from artist's you don't expect-including the still incredibly lucid Ozzman. He has reminded me today that's it's okay to say goodbye to places and friends because "we'll meet in the end."