Happy Halloween!

Ketchup & Ubsurd

Well, it has been quite a while since I posted anything on here, huh? I need to bring you all up to date on my life. So since Konferencia I have changed my hair style, traveled to Vegas, lost my car, and most horrible of all I missed my Fiance's birthday. Doesn't sound too bad though right? I will explain it all, don't worry it really isn't that bad. First the big one: Kate's Birthday. I didn't really miss it, or forget it. I was just not there on the day of her birthday. I wish I could have been there to wish her a happy birthday and have cake and ice-cream, etc... I miss Kate very much all the time, but especially on her special day. I wasn't there and I couldn't even do anything about it. I had wanted to fly home for a short visit on the weekend and then just miss a day or two of school, so I could be there, but that didn't work out at all. I was not able to get out of class, and work and other church responsibilities while maintaining at least some sanity in my life. I already regret it, but that doesn't change anything, now does it? So I will just move on. Please forgive me Katie! I still love you! ;o)
Now to the Vegas of things. Huh, that is a good way to put it. The vegas of things. I guess that would mean the fun and positive part of something, that might also have some negative connotation. I mean Las Vegas is the nation's capital of entertainment, but it is also the nation's capital of "debauchery and sin", as a co-worker of mine, Chad Manookin, put it. I flew to Vegas on Friday night this past weekend to visit my Sister and Brother-in-Law, as well as my mother who was also visiting them. It was a good 'ol time. We mostly socialized and enjoyed one another's company. I did make it to the strip once, on Saturday night. It was my Mother and myself. We journeyed the entire strip down and back in double-time. My mom considered it a workout, because of the distance and speed. I was just glad to have seen as much as we did in so little time. It was a fun time. I tried to get her on the NY,NY roller coaster, but to no avail. She said it would only make her vomit, and then spend the rest of the night sitting on a bench until Rachael and Nathan came to pick us up! Needless to say, I didn't force my weak-stomached mother to ride with me. It was very fun, but had something missing by riding alone. We then proceeded to the MGM, the M&M, and any other M named places we could find...okay so that's not true, but we made it all the way down to the aquarium in Caeser's Palace. We even had time to pick up a few t-shirts for souvenirs, and stop at the McDonalds for a sundae! It was a great time, as I said before. I always enjoy walking the strip and seeing all the lights and people. I fact I'm not sure which are more populous! We also went to church with Rachael and Nathan on Sunday, for their stake conference. Good thing it wasn't until 13:00. I was so tired after staying up until 3:00 or 4:00 each night! I was a little off on the time, so I'm not sure what the actual times were. The point is we were up late talking into the morning. That was also a lot of fun. We got to "ketchup" on things. Anyways, we got up just a couple hours after going to bed on Monday morning to catch our flight to Salt Lake City (home, in my case). It was fun to see my mom experience real flying on a Delta flight. She loved the movie screens, and in-flight services like free drinks and satillite TV. We made it to SLC and then, skipping class all the while, went to my apartment and also to lunch. My mom got to see where I live for the first time. I guess she approved, cause she left me here; taking my car up to Idaho for a couple days. She is there visiting my other mid-west sister, Emma. I expect her back sometime today...
Oh, right the hairstyle thing. Well, that's a snap to exlpain. I have now grown my hair too long to just let it be in the morning. I have started to slick it back Italian mobster style to hide the length. Since I go to the LDSBC, I have to do so in keeping with the strict standards of the honor code. Kate reports it "look so handsome" in a text response to my picture message asking her opinion. We will see how long it gets. I'm not done growing it just yet...
For now that is going to be your "ketchup and ubsurd". Tune in next time, same place!

Short Blerb on Konferencia!

Conference was klasz. I loved every minute of it. I was completely amazed by the planning that must go into these conference addresses that are given. A few weeks ago I was astonished to find out that most of the brothern start their conference preparation immediately following conference. With that being said, it would not be out of the ordinary for them to start October preparation this week! They put so much effort into our salvation! It makes me wonder if I put that much effort into my personal salvation. Do you? Are you striving everyday to put forth your best efforts and make changes? I know I often fall short of the daily endurance required to press onward. I don't plan as extensively as perhaps need be, and I habitually give up short of the finish line. This conference, and it's apparent preparations alone, have prompted me to start fresh now. It is an amazing gift of God to have conference twice a year. By the blessing of modern technology we were all impowered by the words of Prophets this weekend. I hope you were as enlightened as I was. 

The "Free Market" ?

In America there is always something. In the late 80’s there were similar economic strife’s. There was controversy about Farm Credit, and also the Chrysler loan. A lot of folks were up in arms then too. Presidents past, and probably future, will have to deal with this economic pattern. As with Chrysler, there have already been loans distributed to corporations battling in this modern depression. In article one it states that “the mortgage crisis has forced the government to once again shove ideology aside and get into the bailout business.” The last major bailout in America was the September 11^th airlines issues. The government loaned and subsidized over $15 billion.

The underlying theme here is that the big corporations in America cannot fail, as long as the government steps in to save them. Sometimes it works out just fine, as with Chrysler. In the aftermath of the comparatively small bailout the government never ended up giving Chrysler the proposed $1.5 billion, due to stock warrants when the loan was guaranteed. Everything straightened out and there was not need for actual government intervention. The question still remains: Does the government need to intervene?

Article two was more or less the proposal outline and the arguments that fosters in Washington. One side calls for fast action of the proposed $700 billion plan, the other offers an alternative. Just when it seemed there was a bipartisan standing, and the agreement had been born, tensions rose among new players, including the presidential candidates Barak Obama and John McCain. It was too much for one Washington. Things were pretty much hung out to dry. Then, the compromise: It called for the Treasury Dept. to buy, and then later re-sell the mortgages, bonds, and other assets to “try to put a floor under prices and restore market confidence.” The compromise also called for additional oversight before releasing all the funds; they would be given just $250 billion to start and $100 billion future installments. This plan would also limit the pay to the executives of the companies assisted in the plan. The plan seems pretty good, right? While it might be a good plan, and the outcome might be to the tax payer’s benefit, it still means hardship in the economy and an all-time high in National Debt.

I agree this plan, as far as I understand it, could help the corporations out, but I’m not sure I can agree with government intervention at such a price to the nation. We already have something like $9.5 trillion in National Debt. I feel that this could and will be solved just as fast and with less economic complications if we follow the Laissez-Faire market structure. The economic problems of every business in America are not solved by the government, and they shouldn’t start now. I don’t think an economy where the government own large stock, and other asset quantities would be a good one. I feel that the market will bounce back up if the government simply institutes some regulations in concerning fair lending. There is no reason to give our cards to one player. We will not make out in the end.

I think the market can best be compared to a small child that has been swimming in the baby pool too long to keep its head up once it gets into deep water! The government in this case doesn’t want the child to drown, so it pulls them out of the water and then wants to give them the $700 billion, or in other words send them on their way in the baby pool again. What it should do instead is give the child water wings, equating to regulations and lending standards, in the first place that would prevent deep waters, or financial crisis, from engulfing them. If we hadn’t introduced lax lending policies in the first place and instead place the water wings on the child would be swimming right now not drowning. It is a principle most parents follow, that I have heard many times: “It is easier to prepare and prevent than to repair and regret.” What we need to do now is get the message across to America, namely to those elected leaders who can fight for these regulations and standards to be introduced. The message is clear: we need change, we need ___________. You decide.

Red Box -a short profile

The following is a short story (profile) essay written for my college writing class. I would love any input on it before I turn it in. Please be critical, as it is only a rough draft. Thanks!

“If you don’t have a code I can give you one”, said the overly blond haired lady. She turns toward the man staring blankly into the screen of his own red box. He barely acknowledges her presence and continues staring after a grumble. There are others waiting patiently, and not so patiently. A nice stay at home mom type is waiting with her children. The children look at the brightly lit sign next to the red box depicting film covers. This is a Saturday night at the local McDonald's where the two red boxes sit side by side, never alone, always enjoyed by the many patrons.
As the cars continue to drive into the once scarce parking lot, the commotion begins. Where there was once a line forming for the McDonald’s drive through, a new line emerges. It seems that these newcomers are already full. They are after something different. Children scream, babies cry, women console the young and old. It’s a sight to behold. The McDonald's staff, weary after the late afternoon rush, just lounge at there posts by the front counter watching as the flood of guests come mockingly close. No one goes in this late, except for a few college students, but everyone is getting what they want. There is a feeding frenzy here, without food and, if you’re lucky, without price.
A big suburban drives up to the closest stall. It takes up almost two to make up for the doors flinging open. At least five children jump out before their father even has it in park. He sits and watches as his family runs, jumps, and skips in anticipation toward the Red Box. The mother extricates herself from the vehicle and as she casually walks toward the Red Box her slow speed is explained by her large stomach. She is pregnant. The children are excited by her arrival to the Red Box. They shout, and shove. They point at film covers, and the little one starts a fake cry. The mother turns and says something like, “Everyone settle down or no one gets anything!” She pulls out her credit card in order to pay, and the children continue. They know all too well she is bluffing. The children make their selections, and the mother makes the purchase. They’re only a dollar, she thinks to herself; why not make them all happy. She is thinking about the peace and quiet these movies equate, once they are home. As the Mother and children are occupied with the Red Box the father sits and ponders; the car still running. The cool air from its air conditioning blows in his face, making him rest his eyes and causing his hair to blow slightly in the breeze. It is hot.
The pavement still gives off its heat captured by the long day of sun exposure. It smells oily, and dirty. There is still a strong cense of summer, although fall is trying to step in. In Utah there doesn’t seem to be much of a fall. There are no leaves to turn, no corn to turn brown, no frost on the windshields in the morning only leading to an all too hot afternoon. No, there is no fall in Utah. The summer drags on until late in the year and then one day it snows. This is life in the mountainous desert. This is normal for this Utah family.
Mother, finally having made her purchases, makes her long journey back to the family hot-rod. She is exhausted after the 35 paces, and the circus of children. It’s a good thing school started already she says lovingly to the father as she pulls her enormous body into the vehicle. The whole thing shakes under her shifting weight. After hollering back to the kids to quiet down the Father puts the car in drive and slowly makes his way out of the cramped parking stall back to the road. He pauses a second for traffic and then continues out onto the road. They will be back again tomorrow. This family routine never gets old, at least not for the children…
Where there was once a circus of children, and a ring leader mother, now stands a different kind of circus. There is still a line of patrons awaiting their turn at this game. Some wait twice just to browse both machines. A young couple, obviously decided never to have children after what they just witnessed, talk quietly to each other. She looks at him longingly, and gives him the “please-get-a-girly- movie” face. He tries not to be affected by it, but sighs and browses back to the previous page where the newest Jane Austin flick awaits his purchase. Her face brightens immediately and his slightly falls. As he reaches out to select the film with one hand he pulls out his wallet for a credit card with the other. The blond haired lady reiterates her question, this time posing it to the young couple, “I have a code if you need one.” The young man freezes. “Okay,” he replies, his slight frown lifting as he realizes this one will be free. She responds, “It’s a god one. Just type in BIGMAC… with no spaces.” She smiles at him smugly. The young man keys it in and swipes his card. The balance shows $0.00. He is really smiling now. Both the young man and his partner are smiling as they walk away. They walk to the road’s edge and then at the moment traffic slows on the busy street they run across.
“Probably still college students,” says the blond haired lady to nobody, “they shouldn’t cross there. It’s dangerous.” As she continues talking the growing number of patrons also continue, no one is listening to her. Everyone is content with the glowing screens, making their eyes shine in the darkness as they wait their turn.
Almost everyone is there with someone, and those who are alone aren’t really alone. They are engaged in conversation on cell phones, probably talking to loved ones and friends, awaiting the arrival of a Red Box movie at home. One man with a cell phone stuck to his ear peruses the list echoing each title into his phone as they appear on the screen. After only a short time he has his orders. He makes his selection and uses the “BIGMAC” code the blond haired lady has since given to everyone. This Red Box isn’t making any money tonight, but this is the Red Box executive’s best scheme. The movie is free tonight, but if it’s not returned by tomorrow at 9:00 PM it will cost you a dollar, and a dollar for every day afterward as well. For the next twenty-five days they make a dollar, until the movie is considered paid for and then it’s yours. Most people consider it a good deal. It seems easy enough to return a movie the next day, but is it really?
One man drives right up to the Red Box, not even parking in a stall. He calls out as he makes his way toward the Red Box, “I need to return this! Can I just get through for a second?! It’s already been a week!” He receives compassion from someone who has likely done this herself. Canceling out of the “Rent a DVD” section she selects “Return a DVD” on the touch screen, “Go ahead,” she says, “It’s almost nine o’clock.” The transaction only takes a second and as the man thanks her for her kindness she smiles and reports she too has lost a DVD, only to find it a week later. Red Box wins again. One “free” DVD has cost this man seven dollars, and he watched it only once!
Patrons and friends are beginning to weed out. The night grows and people scatter. A mostly young generation of college students come and go. The line has died off, and Red Boxers are all home watching their “free” DVDs. Except for the few Red Boxers who venture out into the late night the Red Boxes have completed their duty. But there the Red Boxes stand beaming brightly all night long.

JUMP!!!

Okay, I'm sure everyone is dying to hear how this weekend turned out. I could be using the biggest understatement of the year when I describe it as "cool". Here it is late Saturday night on the most extreme weekend I've had in a long time, and I use cool? Well, I know how that seems, but cool is really the original verb meaning attractive or impressive. It sums it all up in four little letters. (or in three if you don't count the fact that there are two "o's") It is the epitome of modern, and urban slang meaning inexplicably good. It's understood in hundreds of languages, and misunderstood by any other nation that speaks English- they think it is something to do with weather... Anyway, today was cool. I got up early and grabbed a quick bite to eat before heading out to meet up with other fellow doers of cool. For the second weekend in a row we drove all the way to Ogden. We (Ben, Tyson, Nichole, Josh, Taylor, Judson, Michelle, and moi) went to the airport, boarded a plane and after reaching 16,000 ft above sea level, we jumped! It was the most exhilarating event I've experienced thus far. I would recommend it to anyone and everyone. (except for those who would seek to end their life) I hope to add it to my blog at a later date. Oh, by the by, they call it Skydiving. For me there is just something about saying "we jumped out of a plane" that gives it a little more umph. I really, really enjoyed it. Go out and find your local skydiving club today!
PS. This weekend = cool

Sunday is a "redeeming" kind of day

Why redeeming you ask? Well, you know how it wasn't really the coolest weekend? I got to go to church today! I got to teach in Sunday School! (yeah, I'm a Sunday School teacher) And I got to go to a fireside in the evening! I love Sundays. Church was way good. I totally enjoyed the Priesthood lesson, as well as sacrament meeting. I feel like I learned a lot from teaching in Sunday School too. The lesson was on Helaman 13-16. It mostly taught repentance. I love how Samuel had such a conviction in his mission. It was brought up in class that he wasn't given any promise from the Lord that he would be protected if the people tried to destroy him. In fact all he was asked to do was prophesy that which the Lord caused to come into his heart. I'm sure he was able to do that, or in other words he was protected, only because he was so obedient in his purpose. Had he given up, the people, no matter how few, would not have repented, and we would probably have not received the account...Anyway, that also reminds me of something else I learned today in my personal scripture study. In the Book of Mormon II class I am taking at the LDSBC institute we are studying the second half of The Book of Mormon. In the mid chapters of Alma, 37: 5 Alma is handing over the scriptures to Helaman, his son. He also commands his son that he must "keep the plates", thus if they are to be kept he must "keep their brightness." In essence he is telling his son he needs to keep them clean. He needs to ensure their readability. It is interesting to me that he would tell his son to do such a thing. I can imagine it something like my mother telling me not only to keep a journal, but to make sure it's legible as well. He also states that this has been their duty from the time of their forefathers. He goes on to say that this may be regarded as "foolishness", but it is for a "wise purpose". Verse seven reads: "The Lord God doth work by [small] means to bring about his great and eternal purposes..." I think it is important for everyone working in the kingdom of God to remember how small, and yet great is their own purpose in the sight of God. He needs us all, however menial seem our task. At the same time we should remember as Samuel preached to the people of Zarahemla that we are redeemed by the merits of Christ not our own.

Who is Janel (my cousin)?

Janel Barnhart is my friend, my cousin, and my partner in learning adulthood. She and I have done sooo much together. We are probably better versed in emergency room visits, Sam's club purchases, Lagoon fun days, and everything else that adulthood entails. We have done it all. I think I should also mention that we both live in Salt Lake City, Utah. She in Holladay, and I am in the University area. It is so much better living here since she does too. I should maybe metion that Janel and I are more like brother and sister than cousins. We are already closely related. Now that we have such a role in each other's lives we have become very close. We are both in our twenties, and we both enjoy going out to eat, going to movies, going out with friends, etc... I love Janel. I don't know how I would make it without her being here. We are a good team. We always have been. Nell, her nickname, or Janellie, and I have been good pals for pretty much my whole life. We do a lot together. Once, we flew back to Pennsylvania on a Thursday night for my sister Rachael's wedding and, since we had no real time we left Saturday morning in a car to drive all the way back to Utah by Sunday! It was a fast weekend! We have spent lots of time in the car other times too. We also made a trip to California for Rachael and Nathan's reception in October of '07. There have been many good trips since these as well. Some smaller ones anyway... So in conclusion, my sister Janel is an important person in my life! I love you Janel!

Saturday's Wari... uh, no that's a Chimp?

Saturday looked like it was going to be just as bad as Friday, but there was a small twist. It started out at around 8 then I fell asleep again until 10- and it only felt like 10 minutes at most! I must have been tired from staying up until 1:30 in the morning....Anyway, I got up and Tyson (one of my three roommates) was going to the bank. So I jumped up from the Love Sac, where I had slept last night, and threw on some shoes. I left just the way I had dressed the day before, again due to the fact that I had fallen asleep on the Love Sac. Anyway, I had a big check to deposit from the research study that I had recently finished. I really wanted to go to the bank. You have to make sacrifices in life, right? Well, anyway, I got suckered into going to breakfast with Tyson and Eric (a friend from my ward). We ate at the Village Inn. It was actually really good and I'm glad I went. Then we came home for just a few minutes and I got to change- no shower, again with the sacrifice... We were all going to go to Ogden together, and we drove all the way up there only to find the place was not operating today! That was a major let down. I guess it was for the best though...but it was starting to feel like this weekend was not supposed to be fun at all. period. However, little did I know that in less than a billion seconds later I would be sitting in the funniest, hilariousist, unbelievablest movie Ben and I have seen in a long time! Space Chimps. (Ben is another mac booker friend who helped save my weekend) They really camouflaged it pretty well with that stupid name, but in all actuality it is a blast! Forgive the space humor. I loved it soo much it make me want to buy a legal copy if/when it comes out on DVD. I recommend that if you too are having a way lame weekend, or you have an hour and a half to kill,WATCH THIS MOVIE! You will not regret it. (unless there is meaning to your life, and/or you can think of something better to do) I loved it. I laughed for more than like ten minutes, collectively. Watch it today! It made my boringest weekend turn out super!

The Most Boringest Weekend Ever

So it starts out fine. We are all planning to meet after work on Friday night to go to Lagoon. I picked up my Korean friends from the Gateway where they live, and that went well enough actually...except the part where I don't really know where they live specifically and I had to make them walk to find where I parked...Anyway, I was doing fine for time, and Janel (my cousin) was going to meet us somewhere downtown. Emily (lives in the apartment above me) also met us downtown, and we got out of Salt Lake around six o'clock in the evening. I was feeling pretty good about the whole situation. We got there around six-thirty...only to find that there was some stupid company party going on, and the whole place was shut down to us "peasant" customers! I was so upset! I wanted to go so badly...I haven't been to Lagoon in a while. I am finally feeling up to going after my study (more on that later) and it's closed! Death to my fun? Uh, yeah... So at least I am going to have fun on saturday right? (see next post)

My First Blog

Well everyone it has come to my attention that we are all very far apart. In such a time as this we have to ban together! I thought to myself just the other day, "I get hurt a lot, I have stories to share, why don't I write a book or something?" ha ha ha, yes, yes, laugh! Let yourself enjoy the laughter! Okay, stop. Now, I would love to share all these stories and I think it will be good for me to write them too. BUT, I am really lazy most of the time and I need a little more motivation before I write a book. For now I will blogg!