Morris or Pierre?

Shadow Government, yes!

2009-03-31T08:56:00.000-07:00

So the running schtick of the last administration was that Dick Cheney really ran the country...here is some insight into the shadow leader of our new govenment.

http://baracksteleprompter.blogspot.com/

Ready for some yuks?

2009-03-21T08:11:00.000-07:00

These guys are definately the best our country has to offer.

We have gone from bad to worse...

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/toby_harnden/blog/2009/03/20/top_10_gaffes_by_barack_obama_and_joe_biden_

Bought and paid for...

2009-03-17T10:54:00.000-07:00

Senator Chris Dodd (D-Conn.) on Monday night floated the idea of taxing American International Group (AIG: 0.9234, 0.1433, 18.37%) bonus recipients so the government could recoup some or all of the $450 million the company is paying to employees in its financial products unit. Within hours, the idea spread to both houses of Congress, with lawmakers proposing an AIG bonus tax.

The move represents somewhat of an about-face for the Senator.

While the Senate was constructing the $787 billion stimulus last month, Dodd added an executive-compensation restriction to the bill. That amendment provides an “exception for contractually obligated bonuses agreed on before Feb. 11, 2009” -- which exempts the very AIG bonuses Dodd and others are now seeking to tax.

The amendment made it into the final version of the bill, and is law.

Separately, Sen. Dodd was AIG’s largest single recipient of campaign donations during the 2008 election cycle with $103,100, according to opensecrets.org.

Dodd’s office did not immediately return a request for comment.

What a stain.

A Quote...

2009-03-05T19:50:00.000-08:00

"Be greedy when others are cautious and be cautious when others are greedy."

Warren Buffett (no, not Jimmy Buffett)

p.s. - this did not come from the teleprompter.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/politico/20090305/pl_politico/19663

Responsibility!

2009-03-02T21:31:00.000-08:00

It is time for everyone to accept the consequences of their own decisions...

Failure is sometimes the outcome - it is a possibility...

Sure, this guy is all about hope...

2009-02-23T21:02:00.000-08:00

It did not take him very long to throw that hope crap out the window and then start using fear to coerce people into supporting his garbage legislation....very reminiscient of George Bush the fear monger - the irony is very rich.

It is a shame that he is a mormon....

2009-02-06T09:26:00.000-08:00

Too bad that Mitt Romney is a Mormon and that our country is full of bigots...otherwise he would be leading us out of our current economic problems instead of someone that has never had a private sector job before.

See Romeny's commentary below:

These are extraordinary times, and like a lot of Republicans I believe that a well-crafted stimulus plan is needed to put people back to work. But the Obama spending bill would stimulate the government, not the economy.

Mitt Romney says Obama's spending bill would stimulate the government rather than the economy.

We're on an economic tightrope. The package that passed the House is a huge increase in the amount of government borrowing. And we've borrowed so much already that if we add too much more debt, or spend foolishly, we could invite an even bigger crisis.

We could precipitate a worldwide crisis of confidence in America, leading to a run on the dollar or hyperinflation that wipes out family savings and devastates the middle class.

It's still early in the administration of President Obama. Like everyone who loves this country, I want him to adopt the correct course and then to succeed. He still has a chance to step in and insist on spending discipline among the members of his own party.

It's his job to set priorities. I hope for America's sake that he knows that a chief executive can't vote "present." He has to say yes to some things and no to a lot of others.

As someone who spent a career in the private sector, I'd like to see a stimulus package that respects the productivity and genius of the American people. And experience shows us what it should look like.

First, there are two ways you can put money into the economy, by spending more or by taxing less. But if it's stimulus you want, taxing less works best. That's why permanent tax cuts should be the centerpiece of the economic stimulus.

Second, any new spending must be strictly limited to projects that are essential. How do we define essential? Well, a good rule is that the projects we fund in a stimulus should be legitimate government priorities that would have been carried out in the future anyway, and are simply being moved up to create those jobs now.

As we take out nonessential projects, we should focus on funding the real needs of government that will have immediate impact. And what better place to begin than repairing and replacing military equipment that was damaged or destroyed in Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan?

Third, sending out rebate checks to citizens and businesses is not a tax cut. The media bought this line so far, but they've got it wrong. Checks in the mail are refunds, not tax cuts. We tried rebate checks in 2008 and they did virtually nothing to jump-start the economy. Disposable income went up, but consumption hardly moved.

Businesses aren't stupid. They're not going to invest in equipment and new hires for a one-time, short-term blip. What's needed are permanent rate cuts on individuals and businesses.

Fourth, if we're going to tax less and spend more to get the economy moving, then we have to make another commitment as well. As soon as this economy recovers, we have to regain control over the federal budget, and above all, over entitlement spending for programs such as Social Security and Medicare. This is more important than most people are willing to admit.

There is a real danger that with trillions of additional borrowing -- from the budget deficit and from the stimulus -- world investors will begin to fear that our dollars won't be worth much in the future. It is essential that we demonstrate our commitment to maintaining the value of the dollar. That means showing the world that we will put a stop to runaway spending and borrowing.

Fifth, we must begin to recover from the enormous losses in the capital investment pool. And the surest, most obvious way to get that done is to send a clear signal that there will be no tax increases on investment and capital gains. The 2001 and 2003 tax cuts should be extended permanently, or at least temporarily.

And finally, let's exercise restraint in the size of the stimulus package. Last year, with the economy already faltering, I proposed a stimulus of $233 billion. The Washington Post said: "Romney's plan is way too big." So what critique will the media have for the size of the Obama package?

In the final analysis, we know that only the private sector -- entrepreneurs and businesses large and small -- can create the millions of jobs our country needs. The invisible hand of the market always moves faster and better than the heavy hand of government.

Stop Spending Money (You Dummies)

2009-02-03T11:15:00.000-08:00

Here are some highlights of the new 'stimulus' pacakge. It was supposed to be about roads / infrastructure / etc. and it is really about pork and advancing personal agendas.

The best part about it, you ask? Well, the best part is that it is more expense than the Iraq War which has been (justifiably) criticized for been wasteful.

How is this any different?

Stop with bailouts / stimulus (pork in disguise).

• $2 billion earmark to re-start FutureGen, a near-zero emissions coal power plant in Illinois that the Department of Energy defunded last year because it said the project was inefficient.

• A $246 million tax break for Hollywood movie producers to buy motion picture film.

• $650 million for the digital television converter box coupon program.

• $88 million for the Coast Guard to design a new polar icebreaker (arctic ship).

• $448 million for constructing the Department of Homeland Security headquarters.

• $248 million for furniture at the new Homeland Security headquarters.

• $600 million to buy hybrid vehicles for federal employees.

• $400 million for the Centers for Disease Control to screen and prevent STD's.

• $1.4 billion for rural waste disposal programs

• $125 million for the Washington sewer system.

• $150 million for Smithsonian museum facilities.

• $1 billion for the 2010 Census, which has a projected cost overrun of $3 billion.

• $75 million for "smoking cessation activities."

• $200 million for public computer centers at community colleges.

• $75 million for salaries of employees at the FBI.

• $25 million for tribal alcohol and substance abuse reduction.

• $500 million for flood reduction projects on the Mississippi River.

• $10 million to inspect canals in urban areas.

• $6 billion to turn federal buildings into "green" buildings.

• $500 million for state and local fire stations.

• $650 million for wildland fire management on forest service lands.

• $1.2 billion for "youth activities," including youth summer job programs.

• $88 million for renovating the headquarters of the Public Health Service.

• $412 million for CDC buildings and property.

• $500 million for building and repairing National Institutes of Health facilities in Bethesda, Maryland.

• $160 million for "paid volunteers" at the Corporation for National and Community Service.

• $5.5 million for "energy efficiency initiatives" at the Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration.

• $850 million for Amtrak.

• $100 million for reducing the hazard of lead-based paint.

• $75 million to construct a "security training" facility for State Department Security officers when they can be trained at existing facilities of other agencies.

• $110 million to the Farm Service Agency to upgrade computer systems.

• $200 million in funding for the lease of alternative energy vehicles for use on military installations.

Embarassed over tax issues or poor choice in glasses?

2009-02-02T06:10:00.000-08:00

Time to file your taxes....'The Millionaire Next Door'

2009-01-27T20:54:00.000-08:00

So, amidst all of the 'economic stimulus' talk, it is just about time to file our taxes. Just waiting on the last W-2 and off we go. I read today on cnn that our new President would like a tax rebate for all 'working' Americans. First, you should understand that many of the people are receiving a 'rebate' are not actually paying taxes. Not to dive headlong into semantics, but it sounds more like a 'bate' rather than a 'rebate'.

That being said, for all of you who have filed your taxes, have you noticed that often times you receive a 1099 and you have to input a figure into your 1040 for 'unearned' income? Wait, 'unearned' income? Did it fall from the sky? If you have investments / rental properties / etc. how is this income 'unearned'? Should you be ashamed of that?

All of the class warriors would lead you to believe that folks with money were born with silver spoons and inherited it. Not true - I would recommend that everyone read 'The Millionaire Next Door'. The main lesson that I learned is that 9 out of 10 millionaires are first generation rich and contrary to popular(ist) belief these people work hard and spend less than they make...in fact, these people keep a pretty low profile (more substance than style). You probably would not even think that they are millionaires.

'Unearned' income is a misnomer - if you have worked hard and pinched pennies to invest, good for you. If you don't pay taxes because of the amount of money you make / number of kids you have, I do not want to hear about how you want your 'bate'...

Least shocking news ever...

2009-01-26T20:14:00.000-08:00

So, I am not a big fan of the evangelicals. The idea of a paid clergy cashing in and building megachurches is a bit trifling.

At what point are people going to stop following churches led by these idiots?

http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/01/26/colorado.church/index.html

They all protest too much if you know what I am saying. Has everyone forgotten about Jim Baker? It happens all the time.
These guys have disasterous personal lives of these supposedly self annointed representatives of God (Dr. (hah) Charles Stanley - this one is for you)...

The only segment of the population more hypocritical than evangelical pastors might be politicians...I heard that Caroline Kennedy had a creeper (some NYT reporter?) and that is why she dropped out.

Is it that tough to find some people with a little bit of character or integrity or is it all do as I say, not as I do?

Historical Perspective Lesson #1: Bank Failures

2009-01-25T09:36:00.000-08:00

Hey, I know that the economy is slow and that unemployment is rising, the market is down, etc.

I have seen people in my office being laid off, etc., but I am tired of 20 and 30 somethings talking about how we are somehow on the precipice of the Great Depression.

Just because this is the worst economy that you have seen, does not mean that the world is over.

7% unemployment does not equal the Great Depression (>25% unemployment, breadlines, etc.). Germany (and the rest of Europe) longs for 7% unemployment.

I do not know about you, but every store / restaurant that I go to is busy. Look at the gate for 'Paul Blart Mall Cop' - things cannot be that bad, right?

Let's have a discussion about bank failures. Today Drudge is leading with a story about a bank failing in California. Bank failures are never a good thing, but let's check the stats on bank failures by decade.

http://www.usnews.com/articles/business/economy/2008/07/15/the-10-biggest-us-bank-failures.html

2000-2007: 32
1990-1999: 925
1980-1989: 2,036
1970-1979: 79
1960-1969: 44
1950-1959: 28
1940-1949: 99
1934-1939: 312
Source: FDIC Historical Statistics

I realize that this is only # of failures and not $ and that the largest $ failure occurred during 2008, but give me a break. Let's examine the data and not what cnn.com wants to talk about.

It is not the end of the world (yet), so relax and spend your energy on putting your own house in order.

Like a Phoenix rises from the ashes...Christmas Miracles!

2009-01-25T09:14:00.000-08:00

So, after a 2 month hiatus - I am back.

I cannot really say that there was a particular reason for my absence (other than busy w/ work and the holidays).

Please to be reading the following accounts of our two Christmas Miracles.

First, I lost my original wedding ring on a trip to Itay 4 years ago. Annie bought me a new one and it disappeared just about a year ago. I think that she was starting to question the stability of our holy union given my penchant for losing rings.

That being said, I always thought that I left the second ring at my in-laws' house on a Sunday. During the Christmas break I happened to be in their basement and Willie was looking for something in the chair cushion and guess what? There is my ring (as well as my old thumb drive). They both must have fallen out of my pocket and just sat there until they were discovered.

On to miracle two. As a Christmas present, Annie and I got a Dyson Animal vacuum. After setting it up, I went on a vacuuming rampage (under furniture, edges, etc.). As I was vacuuming our bedroom, I moved our red chair and lo and behold, our second Touareg key (that had been missing for 6+ months). A car key, not that big of a deal, right? Wrong, these VW keys are the laser cut type that cannot be replicated at Home Depot. You have to go to the dealership and pay $250.

The best part of finding the key was that I was able to clear my good name. Annie accused me of losing it, but it was found near her chair.

Winner, winner, chicken dinner!

Change we all can believe in....

2008-11-21T18:31:00.000-08:00

Hey, I believe so much in government to bail out every industry under the sun and to provide free healthcare to everyone that I am going to send my kids to a private school...

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/11/21/obama-daughters-to-attend-sidwell-friends/

As George Orwell said (and hopefully some of you will start to believe)..."All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others."

And in other shocking news, eating too much will make you fat

2008-11-18T13:12:00.000-08:00

So the University of Maryland spent 34 years collecting and analzing the tv habits of 45,000 people and guess what they found out?

People who watch a lot of tv are unhappy and that unhappy people watch tv.

Nicely done.

http://www.thrfeed.com/2008/11/study-unhappy-p.html

The best thing about Nevada...

2008-11-15T11:53:00.000-08:00

So, on our recent trip to Lake Tahoe we drove I-80 across the entire state of Nevada. Included along the way are cities like Fernley, Lovelock, Winnemucca, Elko, etc.

The best part of of the drive was the abundance of golden sunshine bottles along the road.

Unfamiliar with a golden shunshine bottle? Golden sunshine bottles are the domain of truckers / distance drivers who cannot be bothered to get off of the freeway to relieve themselves.

Finally....

2008-11-10T08:08:00.000-08:00

So, Boart Longyear's corporate headquarters has finally relocated from 17th S 2700 W to Riverpark in South Jordan...

I remember talking about the move when I was first interviewing with Boart (almost a year ago) and thinking, how great will it be to work 10 minutes from home.

The day has arrived. The offices are very new and very nice and did I mention that I am 10 minutes from home?

Kickers...

2008-11-06T20:34:00.000-08:00

I just finished watching the TCU vs. Utah game....it was not that exciting until that last 5 minutes or so.

Lots of bad play calls (fire drill, long pass on 3rd & 1, etc.), not much offense, and horrible kicking.

Remember after the World Cup in 1994 when the Colombian that scored on his own team was greased?

Ross Evans, run for your life. Do not get on the plane back to Texas. You had two opportunities to put the game away and you blew it. I know that you are only a freshman, but still.

Football is a funny sport - dominated by size, speed, and strength yet in many cases wins and losses are determined by 5'10" 175lb. dudes that look like the guy sitting next to you in Chemistry class....

Somebody call Plato, we need the Philospher Kings, we are too stupid for democracy...

2008-10-21T20:45:00.000-07:00

So, you thought the feebs in Florida were pathetic in 2000 with the dimpled and hanging chads....you have not seen anything yet.

Real informed electorate - you dummies!

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121910303529751345.html?mod=most_emailed_day

Great tax plan too - 40% of you do not even pay taxes (we ship these people money) and he proposes sending them more....just because they exist.

Join the 'none of the above' movement with me.

Vaqueros Vanquished

2008-10-14T19:47:00.000-07:00

My perenially snakebitten football franchise (AZ Cardinals) pulled off a stunning victory on Sunday.

They beat the overhyped, overrated Dallas Cowboys. They overcame 2 overturned touchdowns (someone explain to me the tuck rule again), a terrible offsides call, and losing the coin toss at the start of overtime to win 30-24.

The defense broke Tony 'I spent 2 hours before the came eating KFC and that is why I cannot hold onto the ball' Romo's pinkie finger at the end of game, forced a 3 and out and then blocked a punt into the endzone for the win.

Fantastic! I loved it. It is the most excited I have been since their playoff game in 1998 when Jake the Snake Plummer beat these same Cowboys. For all of you NFL fans, the Cardinals have won a playoff game more recently than the Cowgirls (98 vs. 96). How about them apples? Just because you are the team on 'Hard Knocks' does not mean that you are going to the superbowl.

The best part of the victory, you ask? The best part was watching the faces of all of the Cowboys fans with their blue jerseys and their looks of disbelief. America's team? Not hardly. Try 'El Equipo Mexicano'. Time to get on board people, we are talking about a home playoff game!

Seperated at Birth

2008-10-03T13:32:00.000-07:00

Twins sons of different monthers.

Where are the villagers with flaming torches?

He is more like Bush than McCain.

2008-09-07T14:54:00.000-07:00

Nice botch you tool.

Nitally Lions and 57 states.

Lurkers of the world unite!

2008-08-23T19:23:00.000-07:00

Annie and I officially joined 'Facebook' this week.

We have already started browsing for high school classmates, etc.

It is interesting to see what people are doing / what they look like / etc.

Lurking is slightly more socially acceptable than LARPing. Not familiar with the seedy underbelly that is LARPing?

I have a documentary for you (or you can talk to a certain swashbuckler that lives on Valley High RD in the WVC).

Add "DARKON" to your netflix queue if you need a self-esteem boost.

Here is the trailer from Youtube.

Irony Personified

2008-08-06T15:28:00.000-07:00

So, driving to work today on the Bangerter I saw a black chevy trailblazer with a weird window cling.

It said, "WILLPOWER". Ok, cool, good for you.

As I passed him he was noshing on what looked to be a greasy Sausage Egg McMuffin from McDonald's in a yellow wrapper.

It's not just a clever name...

2008-08-01T09:53:00.000-07:00

I have a new role at BoartLongyear that includes being involved with the Sourcing team. They work with vendors / suppliers around the world buying everything from fuel, steel, machined components, travel, etc.

I ran across the name of one of our vendors from Poland today.

I just about spit out my coke when I saw it.

The real question is, what do they make?

Cougar Pride!

2008-07-14T07:45:00.000-07:00

How about this guy - Vai Sikahema.

BYU guy and former AZ Cardinal demolished Jose Canseco this weekend in a celebrity boxing match.

He gave up 7 inches and who knows how many pounds.

http://www.boston.com/ae/celebrity/articles/2008/07/14/down_goes_canseco/

The Three Worst Words in the English Language...

2008-07-02T12:13:00.001-07:00

"FRACTURED LEFT TESTICLE"

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/diamondbacks/articles/2008/07/01/20080701byrnes.html

Elvis has left his cage...

2008-06-27T09:48:00.000-07:00

So, Annie and I live in a neighborhood that has a very active community assocation.

We get weekly updates about activites, road closures, etc.

We have also been receiving emails here and there about missing pets (dogs and cats).

I feel bad for people that are missing their pets - I have been down that road before.

Wednesday I received an email about a missing bird named 'Elvis'.

Here is his picture.

His hobbies include not showering (deodorant pills - wave of the future), shooting lightbulbs floating in his pool (TVs too), karate, jumpsuits, hip-swivels, loads of prescription drugs, and eating the 'Fool's Gold Loaf' sandwich (a loaf of franch bread with PB&J as well as a pound of bacon - hey!).

If you see him, let me know.

Civic doodie - Cannon was voted out...

2008-06-25T07:05:00.000-07:00

So, Annie and I performed our civic duty last night and helped to vote out idiot Chris Cannon.

I did not know that Jason Chaffetz won until this morning driving to work.

Thank goodness.

Here is a link to a story about the election that highlights how big of a tool Chris Cannon is.

http://deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,700237809,00.html

I like this part the best:

"It's always been close," he said. "There is a base vote that is opposed to me. But being released is not all a bad thing. I have lots of options and alternatives."

Notice how he says "released". This is not a Church calling - you were voted out.

Ice Update + Vending Machine Goodness

2008-06-11T07:17:00.001-07:00

I have found ice! After 3 months at Boart (and thanks to a guy named Kevin), I have discovered a crushed ice machine in a tucked away breakroom in the building next to mine.

I work in some offices that are attached to the plant and right next door is our corporate hq. It turns out that they have an ice machine, so now instead of bringing my own ice from home and hoping that it does not melt before my coke break, I just cruise over to the other building for a refill.

Incidently, there is a vending machine in this breakroom and one of the more interesting offerings in the machine is called a "Big Texas" (see pic below). I did not realize that the lonestar state had a great bakery tradition. What types of preservatives are pumped into this thing to prevent it from going moldy (I am sure that they do not turn over that frequently)....

Chips (yes), Candy (sure), but a cinnamon roll?

What is the nastiest thing that you have eaten from a vending machine?

Privatization at the Senate Cafeteria...

2008-06-09T13:21:00.000-07:00

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/08/AR2008060801765.html?hpid=topnews

How about them apples?

Diane Feinstein suggesting privatization?

The irony is fantastic - the private model (on the House side) turns a profit and the government model (on the Senate side) loses money.

Despite this example, these morons are rolling out government programs left and right to help solve our problems. No thank you - stay out of my life!

Furthermore, examine the following quote from a mental midget (getting paid $169k annually to 'solve our problems'.)

"I know what happens with privatization. Workers lose jobs, and the next generation of workers make less in wages. These are some of the lowest-paid workers in our country, and I want to help them," Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), a staunch labor union ally, said recently.

Workers lose their jobs and make less money? What are you talking about, the rest of us are funding the deficit! Without the taxpayer, no one would have a job.

Maybe Barack Obama can solve the problem and nationalize all restaurants.

Kook, please go away.

2008-04-29T08:18:00.000-07:00

I am so tired of Barack Obama's lame Pastor.

I am sure that you have seen this hack on the news. His name is Jeremiah Wright and he is like a talk radio host - say outrageous things for ratings and make all these claims about how whitey is keeping him down and America is a steaming racist pile.

Here is the interesting part...the guy was raised middle class and is the personification of the american dream.

See below:

Excerpts from Obama's Rev. Wright Mythology, Newsmax, April 13, 2008

"In retirement, Wright will continue a life of privilege that dates back to Central High. As a retirement gift, Wright's Trinity United Church of Christ is building him a million-dollar home abutting Odyssey Country Club and Golf Course in the nearly all-white Chicago suburb of Tinley Park. The home sits on land the pastor purchased in 2004 for $345,000. In December 2006, Wright sold the land to his church, which took out a $1.6 million mortgage on the property. In April 2007, the church applied for a building permit for the brick and stone structure.

"Wright's new home has 10,340 square feet of space, about four times the size of a typical suburban house. It includes four bedrooms, an elevator, an exercise room, and a four-car garage.

"Rather than being a victim of oppression of blacks, as Obama has claimed, Wright is a symbol of the American dream. Rather than meriting sympathy, he exemplifies what my friend Fox News contributor Juan Williams describes as black leaders who orchestrate support for themselves by manipulating blacks into seeing themselves as victims, creating a black 'culture of failure.'

At what point are we going to stop listening to these people?

Why don't people understand that the pundits do not really believe what they say (or live by what they say), but rather are just trying to make money?

Here is a short list of super hypocrites:
Rush Limbaugh (baby blues!)
Dr. Laura (internet photos + home wrecker)
Bill O'Reilly (perv)
Jeremiah Wright (hates white people, but likes their neighborhoods)
Man Coulter (says crazy things to sell books)

Please add more...

Boycott Florida - Outrage!

2008-04-24T07:10:00.000-07:00

I am usually not very political - I sort of burned out on all government idiocy years ago, but I could not let this outrage pass.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24188721/

Florida's legislature has offically banned 'truck nuts'. $60 ticket if you get caught.

I urge all responsible citizens to boycott the State of Florida as you plan vacations / business travel until they repeal this oppressive law.

Mem-O-Rees

2008-04-21T06:51:00.000-07:00

So, Annie and I celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary. We were able to leave Elliott with my parents and enjoy a nice dinner.

We spent some time over the weekend harkening back to ye olden days.

Like the time we lived at the U and the time that I made Annie live in Provo for the summer, etc.

We also talked about the first time that we met in person (Sunday February 3, 2002). I was getting ready for the Olympics and did not have much free time (hence the Sunday night rendezvous). For a fun first blind date activity, we went down to my venue in Provo and Annie got to see all of the neat behind the scenes hockey stuff.

Annie had the advantage of teaching with a girl that was in my mission as well as seeing me on TV before we met in person. I just remember knocking on the door of her house with a little bit of trepidation. I had been on probably 30 blind dates (all of my friends were married, so their wives all took a run at setting me up) and some were better than others.
She opened the door (dressed casually in jeans and a sweater with a coat) and we said hello, nice to meet you, etc.

I remember thinking two things walking down the drive way to my car.

First - wow, this girl is cute and smart!

Second - is she taller than me? oh no, I think that she may be taller than me....

Turns out that we are the same height (if I stand up straight) and therefore I was an eligible suitor.

We have enjoyed 5+ years of marriage with lots of happy milestones (grad school, job changes, building a house, having a baby, etc.).

I am looking forward to many more....

The Reflex!

2008-04-05T11:10:00.000-07:00

A very bad Duran Duran song you ask?

No - it describes Anne's propensity for gagging.

It does not take a whole lot.

Exhibit A - Perhaps 3 weeks ago, we were watching a House re-run waiting for baby to fall asleep. It was only the second time that I have ever watched House. The storyline is that he was trying to help some lady in Antartica. At one point, a dude in antartica had to drink a small sample of this lady's urine to perform a test (that otherwise would have been done in a lab). Annie gagged and ran out. I thought that she was going to hurl.

Exhibit B - One night this week we were eating philly steak sandwiches for dinner and I gave Elliott some of my roll. He has become obsessed with dipping all of his food into liquids like ranch dip. I let him dip his bread in some ketchup. Annie does not like ketchup (nor mayonaise, yet she likes fry sauce) and as baby began to eat his ketchup soaked bread, she headed for the hills.

If you are going to spew, spew into this....

The Audacity of Wanting My Money...

2008-04-03T20:12:00.000-07:00

All politicians are hypocrites - that is easy to say.

Some are just more hypocritcal than others.

For a little inside info on how Barack Obama really feels about helping those less fortunate read ths article.

To quote George Orwell's book 'Animal Farm', "All animals are equal some are just more equal than others."

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-0704250022apr25,1,3690658.story?page=1

I love that he is asking all of us to do something that he is not willing to do.

"From 1997 through 2002, the Obamas reported devoting less than 1 percent of their household income to charity. In 2005, as the book-deal money poured in, they reported $1.65 million in combined income, with $77,315, or 4.7 percent, going to charity."

Usually food trumps sleep, but not today....

2008-03-23T13:05:00.000-07:00

Why do I even bother?

2008-03-20T19:27:00.000-07:00

With the exception of perhaps the most magical world series comeback in 2001 (remember Luis Gonzalez's bloop GW single against Mariano Rivera in the 9th inning?), I have been let down on almost every occasion by all of the teams that I love.

Top 5 sports disappointments of Ross' 30 yrs

5. 15 years of BYU Basketball futility. I am not asking for a Final Four appearance, just win a first round game! Please! Stupid Texas A&M, stupid offensive rebounds. Box out! How hard is that?

4. Suns losing to the Bulls in the 1993 Playoffs (Triple OT, etc.) - stupid MJ.

3. The Sun Devils going undefeated in 1996 in football go to the Rose Bowl and score a touchdown late against the Luckeyes and then they give up a crazy hail mary to lose. Goodbye national championship / perfect season.

2. The Suns losing to the Spurs last year because of retard Bob Horry and lame David Stern. There is not spirit vs. letter of the law discussion when it comes to guys coming off the bench, but we can just change all of the rules around when we find out all of our referees are gambling. Stern you are a stain.

1. Argentina losing to the Germans in 2006 in the World Cup. Argentina leads the whole match and then their goal tender gets taken out. The backup comes in and gets beat and then it goes to OT and then to penalty kicks and they lose (when they were a popular pick to win it all).

Why does the World Cup loss hurt the worst? I will tell you - it only comes around every 4 years.

Well, at least I have BYU Football season to look forward to - some say they could make it to the BCS....I might just get my hopes up.

Stop, you are hurting my ears....

2008-03-14T07:51:00.000-07:00

Selection of words / phrases heard by me over the past month.....

Pundint (pundit)

Inspiring singer (aspiring)

Interpet (interpret)

Flustrating (frustrating)

Gendre (genre)

Unendated (Inundated)

Various Assundry (various and sundry)

Read some books people, they will help you pronounce / use words correctly.

You may add to my list if you have been equally offended.

Ice!

2008-03-14T07:47:00.001-07:00

So, I am settling into a routine with my new job.

I have figured out a new route to the office and generally have a lay of the land.

I do, however, have one major issue. Annie mocks this issue.

At AMEX we had an ice machine on every floor. At 10:00 am most days, I would get a cup full of ice and buy a coke.

At Boart my coke is free (the have a nicely stocked fridge), but there is no ice machine. Warm coke is gross!

So, as a workaround, I fill a cup of ice when I come into work and hope that it lasts until 10:00.

We will be moving our HQ to SJ in the next few months - I sure hope that our new building has an ice machine.

What is Jake short for?

2008-03-10T07:17:00.000-07:00

Last week I was watching Jeopardy while putting Elliott to bed - it was a re-run from a few years ago. Alex had a cast on his arm from that crazy horseback riding deal.

The returning champion was named Jake.

She, I repeat, she was fairly feminine (despite the name) and during her anecdote / story time talked about her husband.

What name would you shorten to Jake?

Dead Man Walking

2008-02-26T08:06:00.000-08:00

So, this week is my last week at American Express.

That makes me a dead man walking.

In case you have not heard, my boss was laid off in January and I was told that I had to move downstairs to be part of another group called 'Risk & Analytics'. I was not too fond of the idea for a variety of reasons and when a headhunter that tried to recruit me a year ago called me to arrange an interview, I said yes.

I have accepted a finance position with BoartLongyear. They make drill bits and other key components for mining / digging. Their global HQ is here in SLC and they are growing very quickly. I am excited for a new challenge - moving away from financial services to more of a manufacturing environment.

In the mean time, my phone has stopped ringing and no more emails. The word is out that I am leaving, so no one really needs to talk to me anymore.

At this point, I have a couple of brain dump transition meetings and I need to go through all of the files in my desk and decide what is important between now and Friday.

Mullets, pt 2.

2008-02-24T18:48:00.000-08:00

So, after posting about rat tails, my friend Jared (http://www.blackfamilia.blogspot.com/) reminded me about an idea that I had about 8 years ago at BYU.

I had the idea to do a mullet coffee table book. I thought that people would love to make that part of their library.

Turns out that someone beat me to the punch.

Here is my favorite mullet book. It is on my bookshelf right now.

Kentucky Tophats forever!

Rebirth of the Rat Tail!

2008-02-14T12:27:00.000-08:00

I am a child of the 80s. I remember that in 1983 rat tail haircuts were cool.

Do you know what I am talking about?

If not you are probably too young - here is a picture.

I can honestly say that I have not seen this haircut in 20+ years (on any continent).

That is, until yesterday.

I saw it twice while getting a car serviced at Southtowne VW. One guy had a full on braided tail and his buddy had a little budding plummage - a 'trainer' rat tail.

Is this back in style? Has anyone else seen this?

NYC is cold - everyone needs a mobile sleeping bag!

2008-02-12T08:32:00.000-08:00

I am in NYC and it is cold. So cold that my face froze last night as I walked around the WTC site. AMEX's headquarters (and my hotel) are right across, so it is interesting to see.

Also, it is interesting to see how little kids are transported around 'the city'. When Annie was pregnant, she accused me of pointing out babies every where we went. I have to say that before she was pregnant, I can't say that I noticed babies very much.

With Elliott, I am much more observant. I have notice many parents over the past couple of days wheeling around their kids in strollers (because they don't have cars) and the babies have portable sleeping bags to keep them warm. Here is a picture. Little baby cocoons.

Who are the real terrorists?

2008-02-01T13:57:00.001-08:00

http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/02/01/iraq.main/index.html

Just in case some of you were under the Rosie O'Fats illusion that George Bush / the USA is the greatest terrorist threat the world has ever known, read the above article and tell me who the facists are.

Stapping bombs to people who are mentally disabled sounds like the kook raghead version of Dr. Mengelev.

This serves as a good reminder of why we fight.

Now I don't want to go off on a rant here...

2008-01-29T06:56:00.000-08:00

On Sunday night, I found out about Granite School district's foray into real estate development.

I guess that I have been out of the loop and I had not heard about this project.

If you haven't either - go here. http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_7982282

Can someone please explain to me why a developer would need to raise capital from a school district? Perhaps it is because no one in the traditional financing world wanted to touch the project? Can anyone say 'sub-prime'?

Second, can anyone explain to me who at GSD's district office is qualified to evaluate this type of investment? The beauty of the article is that it talks about a string of payments being made back to the district for 20 years, but never asks the question, "what if the project fails?".

Next we are going to find out that the districts are out playing the commodities markets or speculating on foreign currency exchanges. Pork bellies, OJ, and the Thai Bhat.

Can we please tell them to stop focusing on trying to raise more money and just be smart about how they spend what they already have?

http://www.graniteschools.org/C17/C19/Board%20contact%20information/default.aspx?Mode=Edit&PageView=Shared

Here are the idiots (except for Bawden) that voted for this disaster. They all look like very sophisticated investors - regular Donald Trumps!

I just wonder how many meals, kickbacks, and / or contributions were made by General Growth Properties (GGP) to the simpletons from the board that voted to approve the project.

Back from the Great White North

2008-01-26T19:41:00.000-08:00

So, I survived sub-zero temperatures in Plover, Wisconsin. The local joke is that you can walk on water up there.

Here is a picture that I took on my way out of town. Wisconsin is also the land of water tanks - this one says Plover.

I made it back in time to crash out and then wake up just in time to prepare for baby's first birthday party.

It was fun.

GO PACK GO!

2008-01-24T19:26:00.000-08:00

So, I am in Wisconsin. You know, "America's Dairyland".

It took me a while to get here (SLC to Minneapolis and then to CWA (Central Wisconsin Airport) and then 30 miles south to the bustling metropolis of Plover.

Why am I in Plover, you ask? It is the site of one of our fulfillment vendors and a group of us Amex folks are paying them a visit.

I arrived in time to change clothes and clean up before going to dinner. We drove to Steven's Point and went to a little place called Michele's.

It was tasty. I had a ribeye steak Wisconsin style (3 cheeses and bacon on the top).

We talked about Favre and Ice Fishing and Deer Hunting and Snow. In fact, one guy was telling a story and said, "the other day I was looking for my gloves because I was going out to do snow". It was great.

Oh for Farve. Hey now. Sure, you betcha. Stay tuned for pics.

By the way, it is 0 degrees farenheit here. Oh for cold.

Happy Birthday Baby Fred!

2008-01-23T07:24:00.000-08:00

So, it was one year ago that Annie and I drove to St. Mark's Hospital four our 6:00 AM appt.

We discussed that day last night - Annie (and rightfully so) said that she did not remember much.

I think that I remember just about everything. It was a whirlwind.

Baby made us nervous the first couple of days in NICU, but since then he has not even been sick - we are fortunate.

So, exactly one year ago (this minute), I was following the nurses / respiratory techs around the hospital as they decided that Elliott was laboring too much to breathe. Now little fra-g-lay baby has turned into a man child.

Happy 1st!

Significant Dates in Modern History

2008-01-22T06:03:00.000-08:00

1066 - Battle of Hastings

1492 - Columbus rediscovers 'Hispaniola'

1620 - Mayflower lands at Plymouth Rock

1776 - Declaration of Indepence by the 13 Colonies

2008 - Ross begins 'Morris or Pierre'

Look out, I have my own blog now...

Come back - visit frequently.

You can even bookmark my blog or link to me.

It will be worth it.