Yay! It's almost 3 AM

I know you all have been missing my late night rants from the hospital, and tonight's my first night back and I couldn't disappoint my crazed fans! So, as I'm sure you all know, my son rocks. You all have good lookin kids and all... but mine's cuter. Deal with it. I got the Simpson's Movie this week, and it got me to thinking of all the things I'll be forcing on my kids. I got Donald Fagan, ELO, Thomas Dolby, Old Movies, and Kingston Trio from my dad (later he unwittingly passed on Jimi Hendrix, The Doors and others when I discovered all the LP's Mom wouldn't let him play us.) As for my legacy, I hope to force, Arsenal (already doing that), Cardinals (just you wait 'til April), Transformers (got him a stuffed Bumblebee), goodness this list could go on forever. I wonder what things he likes will make me role my eyes. With any luck I can keep him away from Yugi'Oh and other expensive Cartoons/Commercials. Which brings us back to the Simpson's, are they for older audiences? or should I put Noah in front of the electronic babysitter to indoctrinate him into their yellow-y goodness. And at what point should I introduce Metallica and Led Zepplin into his life? (Right now, my mom is having a heart attack at the thought of Noah rocking out to "Enter Sandman.")

So what things have you forced on your kids? And what things have they forced on you? I heard the Wiggles weren't as annoying as they seem and that the creators of Teletubbies and Barney should be lynched. And what are your thoughts on Thomas the Train Engine and Bob the Builder, because I plan on using them to force Legos on Noah.

Ciao for now!

Snowflakes!

I killed a lot of time doing these last year. If you want to see mine search for Name: Joe Place: St Louis and Message: Fun! Do some and tell me what to search for in the comments.

Mitt Fallout

I had no idea Glenn Beck was a Mormon.

Stereotypes and Evil Coke

So on my Blogger log in page is an image of some italian guy on a couch in front of some speakers... I can't click it to watch him do his DeNiro/Sopranos/(Enter Mafia Sterotype) impression, but isn't it obvious that it's what he's going to do? I'm guessing the speakers are behind him because he's going to lip-sync it while doing facial expressions that Bobby-D has built his career on.

Speaking of stereotypes, I love it when people perpetuate them and then complain about it. That's why I always mention polygamy and secret meetings while talking about being Mormon, and then say people have no idea about our religion.

I could comment about how rap and dressing like a pimp is a debasement of blacks... but that's like shooting fish in a barrel (don't come after me Rev Sharpton!)

Back to the Mormon thing though, sometimes people are surprised when they find out I'm a member. It might be that I wait until an awkward moment (like when someone's saying the couldn't vote for Mitt because he's mormon) to come out and put them on the defensive. It may be a bit unfair of me, but they shouldn't assume I care about their political beliefs.

This is turning into one of those posts that I'm unsure of posting because it might offend someone...

So, one of the reasons I don't drink Coke is because deep down I have a suspicion that Coke and the Disney Channel (not all of Disney) are responsible for all of the worldliness that plagues us. I'll sum it up thus-ly: Coke invented Santa Claus (at least commercialized him and put him in a red suit) and began the de-Christification of X-mas (I really have no problem with Santa... just with Coke) and as for the Disney Channel... Britney Spears, Lindsey Lohan, Justin Timberlake, Hannah Montana, High School Musical (which doesn't hold a candle to Xanadu, Terina) and many, many more.

There's some randomness for ya...

...and did I mention my son rocks?

What to Write...

Well, things have begun to settle down here at the ol' Mason Lodge and I figured it was time to write a little somethin' here.

As can be imagined life is a bit different here now that Noah's here and Em is home all day. It's nice. It's great for me because my two favorite people are around all day. Em has a bit of cabin fever though. My Mom is coming out tonight from S. Korea and I'm looking forward to her meeting her new grandson. It's odd... I don't think I ever really imagined my parents being grandparents, despite that it was never a stretch to see myself as a father. Soon my dad and the bros will be coming home for Christmas as well... Yay!

Finals are next week... pray for me.

Lastly, diving into the nerdy side of my life, my guild has a blog now... bizarre. I normally only identify these people with being Undead, Tauren, Elves, Orcs and Trolls... they aren't REAL people are they?

Oh... Because my son rocks... Here's a picture.

I'm having too much fun... really. Check out our family, gettin' down Elf Style! Click here for the fun.
Then go do it yourself. Then tell me the link so I can laugh at YOUR elf family!

http://www.elfyourself.com/

Emily's Super Birthing Mega-Post

Emily's put the story up of how Noah finally decided to join us. It's got plenty of pics, too. So go check it out.

Video For My Mom

This one's for you, Mom.

We're all home

Well, Em and Noah are sleeping at the moment, so I figured I'd write a quick something. Both are doing well, albeit a bit tired. Noah's first night at home went fairly well, he's been pretty calm, but he let's us know when he needs something. Em's mom is going to be staying a couple days with us, which is very welcome. I'm very lucky to have married into some good in-laws to compliment my already great family. Henry (the bird) has been cooperative so far with keeping the chirping to a minimum, and in return, I've been trying to keep up with his food.

Thanksgiving went well, Em's family came here and we had dinner/lunch at Mary's who was wonderful to host the Lambson clan. We brought Noah there straight from the hospital and he did pretty good for a couple hours, but let us know when it was time to go. Last night after his 600 feeding both he and Em took a nap while I watched the beginning of Battlestar Galactica season 2, good fun, I love sci-fi. That's it for now, I suppose this is the first true update in a while. I hope you all had a good Thanksgiving and have a good long weekend.

I can do videos now!

Just checking to see if I can do it! He's doing great!

First Peek at the New Guy

You know....For kids!

So, November is here and it appears that fall has decided to grace us with it's sweatery goodness. I don't know why, but I'm always happy when October is over. I'm not quite sure why, but it seems to be a cursed month.

And of course, Noah is in the forefront of my mind. We are now doing weekly checks with the doctor, and this past visit we watched Noah practicing his breathing and saw his heart racing. What a wonderfully terrifying image. He's alive and we have to figure out what to do with him. I'm not quite sure if the world is ready for the awesomeness of my spawn.

Speaking of awesomeness, how about that Arsenal? Forget any other sport, soccer is where it's at and Arsenal is king of the season so far.

One thing that I can't wait for this coming holiday season is political ads. I can't wait to find out how terrible all these people we're supposed to look to for leadership are.

Almost made it...

Well...October flew by. And although I was shooting at missing an entire month, I decided I couldn't let my committed readership down.

Joseph Noah is getting ready to join us, and getting ready for him has been fun. A big thanks to everyone who's helped us out and baby showers and other places as well.

School is crazy, that's all that can be said there, but I'm enjoying it and keeping my nose above water.

That's all I have time for, I'll try and do better in the future.

Not 3 in the morning at work

As the memory of my b-day settles into the past, the advent of my 3rd year being married is at hand. 3 yrs. is a speck in time and in history, but they have defined my life. I suppose the biggest part of this anniversary is that it will be the last of our childless years. It has been wonderful to grow with Emily, and now we get to grow with Joseph Noah as well. Emily has brought color and imagination into my life in a way that I couldn't have thought possible. My life is wonderfully full because of her. She is where my home is. I love her.

HIJACKING THIS BLOG FOR JOE'S BIRTHDAY!!

Hey... It's the wife, wishing Joe a HAPPY 28th Birthday!

Here's to his sense of humor, his generous nature, his ability to adapt to any new environment, his crooked nose, his love of toys and soccer, his big bear hugs, his excellent cooking, and his great hair!

{photo taken yesterday}

Joe is getting a REAL Scottish kilt for his birthday. He got to pick out all the accessories himself, including the hangy-thingy in front, the dagger, the sock accents, etc. He is SO excited to have this heirloom to celebrate his Scottish heritage. An I think he'll look really hot in the full getup.

Tonight, Joe's sis Mary is treating him to homemade pizza, and might just have a few Arsenal soccer doo-dads to give him for his birthday. She knows him so well!

So join me in wishing this amazing guy a WONDERFUL birthday, and feel free to bring by some dark chocolate, a Transformer or Lego set, or just tell him Happy Birthday in the comments section.

Love you, Joe!

My Social Disobedience for the Week

It's Sunday afternoon, the in-laws are in town, and I just got up from my post-work/church Sunday nap. I really have nothing in particular to write about. I finished Brave New World at work last night, and it was wonderful. I'm not quite sure what to say about it. I don't think that book will ever be irrelevant. I'm glad I didn't read it in school, because I probably wouldn't have. I'm a terrible student.

And speaking of banned books, Banned Books Week is coming up at the end or September. I'll be honest, I didn't know that until 2 minutes ago. Here's the webpage for it. So commit a bit of social disobedience and read one. But something other than Harry Potter. The Goosebumps books are on the list too and even How to Eat Fried Worms. I don't get why people want to censor books. I understand the power that they hold, but how far are people from Nazis when they call Harry Potter evil. It's really just one small step from book burning.

Anyways, this is all making me very upset, I need my soma.

Football...er...Soccer Season

Soccer is back, or has been now for a couple weeks. MLS still doesn't quite count, but give it 2-3 more years and I think it will be coming much closer to respectable status. English fans have begun adopting teams over here, and to be honest I think that's wonderful. When the MLS becomes respected in England, people here in the States will begin to respect it as well.

Arsenal have started off their season with 2 wins and a draw in league play, the last win putting an end to Manchester City's perfect start. Sadly, Thierry Henry finally left for Barcelona in the summer, but the team played some of it's best football last year when he was out with injury, and I think they're more than ready for the change. Once again youth dominates the side, but I think they will make more of a challenge for winning the league than they did last year.

As for the MLS, I'm excited by the prospect of a team coming to St. Louis. Even with a stadium in Collinsville, I would do my best to back up my mouth, and support the MLS. St. Louis is the heart of soccer in the US, it's about time we had a team.

Anyways, get caught up in Beckham fever, but don't forget Denilson, Blanco, Schellotto, and my favorite Angel as the other big stars who have become the pioneers of the designated player rule. They are all class players, and their presence can already be felt in the game.

On My Mind

Odd as it may seem religion is on my mind. What makes this even more odd is that it was while watching Equilibrium. It's about a society that suppresses emotion in order to do away with war. It's an OK movie, but that's beside the point. While watching, I was also following the Cards game and reading an article about Evangelical Christian Youth Groups. Now, I'm all for being in God's Army, heck the movie with the name is about missionaries of the Mormon variety, but I don't get the militant urge to rub my religion in some one's face when I sing about being "...as the armies of Helaman."

Haven't we learned from the Crusades? How about the Inquisition? And Protestants vs. Catholics didn't go so well. Just read Three Musketeers, or the smashed faces on statues in France. What is it about religion, and a message of love that makes people so angry?

I realize that I once went door to door, but not once did I stick my foot and the door when it was slammed. Sure, I yelled at some people, but hey, I have a right to my opinions too. I even think that one of my current problems is that I'm too critical of others people's faith and not enough of my own.

Now that I have exposed any known conflicts of interest, here's what's on my mind...


Is it just me or are Evangelicals hate mongers? I hear no love in their gospel. People say that Mormons stifle free thought and expression, but they belittle and demean anyone who so much as phrases something differently. And I am sick and tired of not being a Christian in their eyes! Not so long ago, they themselves would have been burned or tortured for being heretics, so who are they to judge?

What is so terrible about believing that The Fall was a good and important thing? Without it we wouldn't be here. I am that I might have joy. Becoming like our Heavenly Father doesn't take to glory from him, but make Him greater. Having him in a body of flesh and bones doesn't take away from his greatness, but gives us insight to the true love that He has for us. I believe that Christ sacrificed himself for me, so that if I followed his example, His Grace could return me to My Father. So what if my faith demands I back it up, that's what the scriptures say. And to say that Grace saves if we believe and it doesn't matter what we do otherwise, cheapens the Sacrifice.

Sorry about the rant, but those were just a couple of things that I needed to get off my chest. After all it is my blog and I can say whatever I want. ;)

Oh and if you want a good discussion about us whacky Mormons check this out.

Nodding

I can't stand when a teacher is lecturing and the supposed "smart" student is nodding in agreement to what the teacher says. It's like they're giving their personal approval as to what's being taught. And then they ask a question, which is really a statment about how smart they are.

That said, nursing school is up and going again. Woop-de-doo.

The nice thing about being back in school is that my brain needs to be turned back on, and it's a pretty good place to do that.

I know what you're thinking...

I was thinking of maybe skipping August all together, but then I thought about you, my adoring fans, and thought I'd at least say, "Hi!"

Summer is hot and times have been busy around the Lodge. Em's bro, Steven, has now joined the ranks of married men, and is probably wondering what has done with his life being single for so long. Harry Potter-mania has come and gone, and the summer blockbuster season has ended. Some say it ended last weekend with Rush Hour 3, but let's be honest, it ended the week before with The Bourne Identity. The best movies of the summer, which I've seen (I haven't seen Bourne yet, so I cannot judge), would have to be Transformers, The Simpsons Movie, and (surprise) Stardust. I think Stardust was the only truly original movie this summer, which was all dependent on the all mighty sequel, or in the original popularity of the characters (Transformers and The Simpsons Movie), so there.

Anyhow, school starts up next week, and it has been a glorious summer. And now, it hasn't been all about movies.

Home

There's nothing quite like being home. Especially after being gone for a couple weeks. Feeling free to be able to raid the fridge and not wonder if you are imposing to much is very liberating. Not to mention there's nothing quite like your own toilet.

Now that the baby is on it's way, we've begun to move the house around a bit to make room for a nursery. It's be rather like sealing the fact that life is about to change again after 3 or so years of growing familiarity.

I think that change is almost always good. It helps give us a new perspective on familiar things as well as bringing near experiences. Even when then change sucks, we grow and become more appreciative of what we have. It may be hard, but the only time it's bad is when we give up and quit.

It's not easy being stretched. I've cracked plenty of times, especially recently. I've had to step back and see what the true priorities in my life were.

That said, it's nice to be back and to face real life again. Going to Las Vegas, and Utah was beyond amazing. I have truly fanastic friends, and a family that I am honored to be a part of.

As soon as we download the trip pictures, they'll be posted, but in the mean time, here's Joseph Noah.

Vacation

I've been off in vacation-land and will soon be returning. Just thought I'd tell ya.

Here's the goal that helped the U.S. beat Mexico in the Gold Cup Final last Sunday. Just another reason why soccer is the beautiful game.

I Figured I'd Post Something

Wow... 3 am... it's like destiny...

Well, barring a misinterpretation of the ultrasound, Joseph Noah should be joining us sometime around Thanksgiving. Em has a very cute bump showing. We went to Indiana this past week to visit Em's sisters, Julina and Elise, and took in a bit of the Hoosier State. For fun, watch Breaking Away and I saw every stereotype in that movie, except the biker I saw wasn't speaking Italian (as far as I know).

I'll be honest with ya. That's all I feel like writing for now. So catch y'all later.

On my new title

It came to me today while driving home from Columbia. I can't quite remember how it arrived, but it happened all the same. It only makes sense that monkeys be the evil perpetrators of this heinous act, as everyone knows that brain stealing is what they do (they're trained by pirates and then the brains are sold on the black market.) I have no hard evidence for these claims, because it was all in my brain, and that is gone.

As for the penguin accomplices, it may seem odd that they team up with monkeys and pirates for this rather lucrative enterprise, so allow me to explain. It started with the Penguin that stole Bud Light while singing "Strangers in the Dark" (hence the "Doo Bee Doo Bee Doo.") After those commercials disappeared (at the time they made no sense) the penguin went underground and the seeds of the "Great Penguin Conspiracy" began. First this tuxedoed avian Sinatra, infiltrated Central Park Zoo, where he convinced his fellow penguins to escape. After a first botched attempt, they then hijacked a freighter to Antarctica. While only there a short time before leaving for Africa, they were filmed in a documentary by the French (no doubt they're involved in my cerebral snatch as well) and also taught the penguins to sing (easy seeing how the lead man was a pro) but also taught them to surf.

After leaving, the penguins that were left behind began to work on their singing, to the point of turning it into a form a worship. Well, one penguin couldn't sing, but started to dance, and this in turn swept the penguining world, because they could use it as a form of communication with humans. And as the human influence increased, for did that of surfing, and surprisingly, that of chickens.

Now, after that, I'm a bit hazy, but somewhere along the line, they run into pirates and monkeys, and struck a deal to distract those now devoid of brains.

So be on the look out, brain theft is silent and sudden, so always hold onto the back of your head while walking through penguin exhibits or while watching them on TV or in a movie. Don't let this heinous crime happen to you!!!!!

My head hurts

My mind is wandering in the most fantastical ways.

At any moment, in any room disaster could strike... so is the way of 11100 Acute Care Medical this early morning. I should've taken a shower today. Is there anything a mime can't do? Paul, what should my alt be? Should I read Children of Hurin, or just skip it and read something more summer-y? Foxtrot is the greatest comic-strip since Calvin and Hobbes. Armpit hair is wierd, it's so soft. Why don't they sell candy bars in our cafeteria, but they do at Children's? Why is "Mud" such a bad name to have? Why do different countries that speak the same language have different swear words? And who really has the accent? If I was stuck, upside down, in a rollercoaster for 1/2 an hour, would I do things to freak out the other riders like scream "I felt the track give!" and would it still be fun to put your hands over your head? Will Lebron save the NBA? Does it really need saving? Why do I care, I'm not a fan of basketball anyways? How bad is the NL Central? Only the Cubs could spend $300 million, and still suck. When my Mom reads that, will she roll her eyes at the last word? I wish I was sleeping. Uh-oh, patient calling. I'm back, aren't you excited? I'm going to take something for my headache when I get home. We just switched to our summer blanket. You can leave comments, even if you aren't a on blogger. What's with my avatar and spiders? The end of the last Pirates movie stank, but I liked the Monkey and Geoffry Rush. I think all period sea movies need more cannon battles, Master and Commander could've used 2 more. Would Shakespeare like Westerns? Would he write one? I mean why not, he wrote about a lot of things. I've never seen a Clint Eastwood Western all the way through, or John Wayne for that matter. I should probably stop and work...Good night

Pirates, and Trrransforrrmerrrs...ARRR!!!!

My pirate name is:

Bloody Roger Flint

Every pirate lives for something different. For some, it's the open sea. For others (the masochists), it's the food. For you, it's definitely the fighting. Like the rock flint, you're hard and sharp. But, also like flint, you're easily chipped, and sparky. Arr!

Get your own pirate name from piratequiz.com.
part of the fidius.org network

Behold, my Pirate name! I like how I'm "Bloody" Roger Flint. Not only is it fun to say, and hint that I'd be a violent pirate, but "Bloody" is also a swear word in England English. Yay! Also we're going to brave the almost 3 hours of the latest Pirates of the Caribbean movie, so getting my name today has a deep significance.

Earlier today, we took my bro, Pete, shopping for some much needed after-mission duds. One thing led to another, and the only belt we could find that fit what he was looking for was in Hot Topic. When we were leaving, Peter noticed a Transformers display, and they had retro t-shirts of Soundwave!!!! So we went back in, and saw they had Optimus Prime and Starscream too! Being more of an Autobot than a Deceptacon, and that I have an Optimus Prime action figure, Optimus Prime was the no-brainer pick. I'm wearing it now.

And to end things off, here's a clip from the movie

Memorial Day

Well...Hello! I hope you all enjoy the new template, I figured it was time to put black away.

Becky (Em's sister) and Kyle (her roommate) are in town today to go to the Gypsy Caravan (which is a huge flea market that benefits the symphony). Also, Melody and Paul came down, but Paul got sick, so we only got to see Melody for a sec before they headed back up to Kirksville. At the Caravan we bought a bird house and an antique camera, wandered around to see the glorious eye candy mixture which is the St. Louisan. White trash, Blacks and Whites who don't think they're white trash, but deep down look forward to floating down the river with a beer in hand. Ah mullets... how I love you. That said, treasures abound at the Caravan, and no, I don't fit into any of those stereotypes.

Also, I have a deep dislike of Gypsys.

Last night before I went to sleep, I watched some Monty Python on PBS... it's TV MA, with a lday telling you that somethings may not be acceptable for children! It's 11 at night! Children shouldn't be awake, and people up at that time have a slight expectation for crude humor, why the warning? One of the episodes was where they have John Clease say "And now for something completely different." I laughed, fantastic stuff.

And for something completely different, a clip from the office....

Bare Necessities

Em gave me a little assignment: What are the bare necessities to get through the day? TV, Video Games, Food and Sleep. The End.

It's a good question, isn't it? A lot of my days recently have been centered around me and what makes me feel good. Which, sad to say, isn't too far from the above list. I've been lacking in several areas of my life, and as a firm believer that life is full of ups and down and no plateaus, several important aspects of my life have been on the down slide.

Let's start with the obvious. 30 minutes getting ready in the morning.

I don't pray or read the scriptures nearly enough. Muslims pray 5 times a day. It's one of the Pillars of Islam (or so 30 Days tells me.) Recently, my thoughts have become more spiritual, but I haven't exactly been look to the words of the prophets for advice. I have much to learn about a great many things that are in the scriptures. And as they are written for our time, I really ought to devote some of my daily life to them. So let's say 30 minutes a day for scriptures and 10 for prayer.

8 hours sleeping at night.

Now the next obvious. Food. I love food. I'm fortunate to be married to someone who's willing to be as adventurous with food as I am. Granted much of our adventures are away from home, I believe that with the coming of the baby, we'll begin to divulge into our own culinary talents. Cooking isn't that hard, right? I managed to feed myself through the mission, so why not a bit more now? So if you have any rather good recipes, please share. Jamesbob9@hotmail.com, if you didn't know already. Even if you're a random person reading this, drop a rockin recipe on me. 3 hrs a day for food.

Pooping out the food, 1o minutes.

Excercise. I'm not terribly out of shape, but the belly is emerging. I have a bike I barely use in a neighbourhood in which it's too beautiful not to. My reluctance to do so have no logical time to anything. I do take the occasional walk. And using "occasional" may be a small overstatement.
So 30 minutes a day, walking, running, biking or anything like those things, outside.

30 minute nap.

Now that the obvious stuff is out of the way, let's indulge. We bought a dobro for me 2 years ago. I worked on it for about 6 months. Since then my beautiful resophonic guitar has been collecting dust. Well, no more! 30 minutes a day should get me rockin some licks.

Just because we're human, 4 hours, 10 minutes for errands, and chores on a good day.

That brings us to 18 hours.

That gives us some time on the computer, watch your shows, and so on.

Now, this is given that you don't have to work or go to school on the given day. In that case lets break it down to... 8-12 hrs work, 2hrs food, 40 min spiritual, 30 excersice, 3 errands, 8 sleep, 30 getting ready and that's about it. And if you have a 12 hr day, it can help open up extra days in the week.

So there ya go. It's not exactly the bare necessities, but I think it works for now. What do you think?

Quick Summer Movie Opinion

Well, of the big movies aiming to make loads this summer, Spiderman 3 and Shrek the 3rd have both broken records and made people rich, (or in Spidey's case, broke even). However, both left me missing the 2nd movie from both franchises. The best part of Shrek the 3rd ,which we saw yesterday, was the new preview for Transformers. All of my inner child is screaming in anticipation of it, and regardless of plot, I will sit in amazement of my toys coming to life. Anyways, summer movies aren't really known for great plots as much as they are for action and eye candy. So I'd say go see Spiderman 3 but wait till video for Shrek the 3rd.

(I tried to find a version I could embed, but I couldn't find one of the new preview.)

Finished a book... at 3 in the morning

So... I just finished reading Watership Down. Em describes it as, "Lord of the Rings... but with rabbits." While there is no One Carrot, the rabbits do set off into the unknown into securing a better life for themselves, surviving on their wits, and in some cases their ability to kick some Peter Cottontail. This is a book you can steal from to tell bed-time stories to your kids, and at the same time keeping your eyes firmly affixed to the pages, not wanting to blink for fear the suspense will drive you crazy.

Aren't books wonderful? There's a reason people say that a movie was good... but not as good as the book.

That's all I really have to say for the moment... Good night!

What's been on my mind

So much has been on my mind lately. Em, school, work, sports, politics... all these things have been fighting for space in my mind. So why not throw them out in the open, starting from the end.

So Al Sharpton found out that even he is just one phrase away from being a bigot. Maybe we should organize a picket line in front of his place of work and call for him to be fired after saying such inflammatory remarks. "Those who really believe in God" my ass. He could've said the same things about Jews or Muslims without batting an eye. "Freudian Slips" don't always have to be about sex. Anyways, that'll blow over in a week.

As for sports. Arsenal looks to be sealing up the 4th spot in the Premiership and will have to go through a qualifying stage before being able to go through to the group stages for next season's Champions League. Liverpool and AC Milan are in a savory Champions League Final in a rematch from 2 years ago. ManU and Chelski face off in the FA Cup final, as Manchester goes for the double.

If you understood that, wonderful.

Oh yeah, and the World Champion Cardinals are sucking it up so far this year.

Come to think about it, I don't want to talk about work.

School's out for summer...yay!

And now for Em. She pregnant and that's wonderful. She gets evening sickness and is really tired. She's about 12 weeks along and is due in November. I am becoming more and more excited everyday as the prospect of becoming a father creeps closer to reality.

And that's what I've been thinking about the most. Fatherhood. My dad, my grand-dads (I am lucky enough to have grown up with both of them in my life), and God-dad have all been on my mind. What do I need to learn from them? The older I get, the more I like my dad. He has come a long way himself. Looking back at my life, I feel that what he did was mainly influenced by his love for his children and wife. I think his only true indugence was going to do his Coast Guard weekend, once a month. Now, I'm not saying he was perfect. Far from it (I love you, Dad.) He had a temper, and I've seen him very mad several times in my life. Love is a wonderful and terrible thing. It allows for some extreme emotions. Looking back, I feel that my dad acted with love since I was born.

And now on to God-dad (I'm going to leave the grand-dads out for now.) I've been thinking about Our Heavenly Father in much more concrete terms. I've been trying to think of him more as my father than just God, some guy in the sky how knows what's going on. This has helped strengthed my testimony of the "Plan of Salvation." I think my dad (Joe the Older, not God) wants me to be the best I can possibly be, even to the extent of passing him up on many levels. I think any good father would want the same. So, why wouldn't God want the same?

I like the Mormon teachings on God much more than other religions. Having him literally be my spirit's Father and having Jesus literally as my brother, helps me to feel a closeness that I can't see as being possible as when viewed in the Trinity. I think there's plenty of love and closeness felt, like one might feel for the President, but not the same love and closeness that can be found in a family.

...and now for something completely different!

I dig Monte Python. Maybe not as much as your local high school band member, but at least enough to have the words to the first couple of seasons sitting on the toilet tank. It has classics such as "Dead Parrot," "The Lumberjack Song," and "Upper class twit of the year." And every once-in-a-while I catch it on PBS, late on a Saturday/Sunday night. You must admit, in a world full of Supermen, Bicycle Repairman is the true hero.



I also can't get enough of The Office. It's so good, I wish it was on twice a week. For the first time I understand how people used to look forward to Seinfeld and Friends. It's too bad it plays against the big ABC shows that women force there men to watch (for no reason at all, I hate everything that is Grey's Anatomy.) I wish it a long run, and wonder when/if Michael will get fired and when/if Pam and Jim will get together. Plus, Dwight is freaking hilarious.



Just a couple of things that make me laugh. I also dig Scrubs, 30 Rock and Boston Legal. Even SNL can bring it. There isn't enough good comedy out there, and if it can do it without being overtly sexual or without swearing it's even better. (I know these have a bit of the former.)

Until next time...One more...

LOTR and Moroni

To begin with, WoW is World of Warcraft and is the bane of wives across the world. (As Paul says, "Wife aggro.") It is the best (and most addictive) video game ever. That's all I'll say.

Em and I just finished watching the greatest movie ever last night, which concluded the entire LOTR series that we started a week ago. And due to the recent demise of our TV and DVD player, we now get some digital channels (don't even need cable for them) and we now have surround sound. Let me gush a moment about surround sound mixed with LOTR. It rocks! Our floor shook, arrows flew by our heads and Nazgul screeched from all around us. For a couple who likes movies, it was a long time coming and I love Emily for agreeing to get it (and for many other reasons, too).

So, while watching LOTR, my mind wandered a bit. Where is our Theoden, Gandalf or Aragorn? Would I succumb to the Ring? Am I as loyal as Sam? I then got stuck thinking about 1st question and thought, "We sure have a lot of Wormtongues, Denethors and Gollums." Now, I don't want to make this into some kind of pro-war/anti-war thing, but it's hard not to when we, ourselves, are caught in a war of good and evil. Which leads me to something I've been thinking about lately...

We need Moroni.

We need someone to lead. The same short-sightedness that got us into the war, is same as the one that is trying to get us out. Unfortunately, we're run by politicians and not leaders. Pulling out of Iraq will not bring peace, just like going in didn't uncover what we were hoping for. And it's sad to think that if we do pull out, Iraq could probably turn into Darfur. And we'd probably forget about it just as easily. Just like we've forgotten that sick feeling on 9/11 (the first thing said on the radio when I hopped in my car was, "Today is a day you'll remember exactly where you were when you heard this news.")

The Book of Mormon was written for us. And I think we're at the bad end of the "Pride Cycle." If you haven't read it, do. There's a pretty great story mixed in with the religious stuff with great characters facing impossible odds.

Well, there's me getting a little preachy. Until next time...

I can smell summer coming

I feeling much better. There's something about the return of warmth that helps make life a bit easier. The past several months haven't been my best, but I'll learn and move on. Work is ever changing, several nurses are moving on and several techs are becoming nurses (not neccesarily on this floor). I'm looking forward to no more Mason dinners, so work will stop conflicting with them. (Let's face it, how often do you have managers that give you the hours you asked for, but to their credit, they do have lots of people to deal with...)

That's all I have to say at the moment. Pictures and links will be making their way back to the page soon!

Why my life is wonderful

My wife Em is my lifeblood and the sunshine in my currently overcast life

Baseball just started

Eventhough it's a bit cold, the sunshine makes it look like spring

MLS just started and I now have a team to support, the Colorado Rapids. (mainly because they have business connections with Arsenal)

I gave in to WoW

Casino Royale

Almost done with the semester, and the fresh start that comes with it

Just buying Season 9 of The Simpsons, bringing the total of seasons I own to 5

My wife's creativeness and drive to make our lives beautiful

The word "Funner"

That's it for now....

Fireflies

I didn't discover fireflies until I moved to St. Louis. There is no memory bubble in my head that has an attachment from childhood to the luminous bugs. I suppose the closest thing I have are the fake fireflies at the beginning of the "Pirates of the Caribbean" ride at Disneyland, where you go through the bayou in the beginning. Needless to say, I thought that the tiny glowing lights floating around the creole hut were just something that came out of cartoons.

I'm not quite sure how to describe my reaction to my first lighting bug. To put it the best way...."HOLY $#*%!"

I believe I've lost the sense of awe I once had. Maybe it's something to do with the innumerable amounts of crap I clean up at work. I used to love looking up just to see stars. Now I just don't have the time.

I think this is the reason why I feel like I'm losing it. Or at least one of the reasons. I think constant discovery is important. And not just learning new things for work or because you have to, but because you want to.

Discovery for it's own sake has a certain beauty to it. I've stopped learning things because I want to, and now feel suffocated by the things that are being forced at me.

So here's another thing that I need to incorporate into my life, and that's to actively discover things again. And this especially pertains to the things that I have to learn.

What a surprise... it's 3 in the morning...

No, I'm not at work. I'm in Columbia, MO at my in-laws tonight. I got to watch Saturday Night Live (It might not mean much to you, but I do enjoy me some Weekend Update). I love coming to Columbia, it's for St. Louis as St. George is for Las Vegas. A great place to get away for a weekend and hang out with good people. Sure, there's no raquetball or swimming pool, but the in-laws are fun to hang out with, so it evens out.

School begins again on Monday. I wish it could've been 2 weeks. I don't want to go back, but who does really. And at 27 I'm lucky still have a spring break, even if I do still work.

Growing up isn't what it's cracked up to be. I long for no bills, and for bumming rides from seminary to school. I wasn't a good student. I think at times, I'd be one of the students that Emily can't stand. I feel like I'm falling back into those rutts now (student wise, I don't bum rides to school anymore).

I'm very lucky that I have a wife who loves me. I'd probably be a bigger mess without her. She's sleeping right now in the basement. I miss not getting to see her more often.

I'm sorry this whole entry is fairly a downer. And recently my entries have been as well. But hey, it is 3 AM.

The Lie of "Spring Break"

I'm sure if I was younger, living off my parents' money and waking up from a hangover on South Padre Island, I wouldn't be writing the same things. But I'm not, so bear with me for being a little bitter.

I really can't complain too much, I'm getting work out of the way at the beginning of the week and I don't have to feel guilty for falling asleep during class. But I have to work on a case study (15 pages) for class (I wish I only had tests, I HATE homework), and I do have to go to work, though I do have the weekend off.

I suppose my bitterness is fueled by sleep deprived depression, which is helped a bit by trazadone (my favorite side-affect is a priapism, ask and I'll tell you), my beautiful sleep drug. I'm lucky to have a wife who loves me, and gives me permission to have fun and take time for myself.

I know that might sound odd, that she "gives me permission" but it is vital to my psyche. I sometimes feel crushed by expectation and thoughts of the future, to the point that I let it drag me down into inaction, so I need her to tell me it's OK to chill. Again, inaction sounds odd for when getting out there and doing something would make all the difference, but that's just the way I am, so deal with it.

Anyways, even though I will be unable to really enjoy the first half of the week, I plan on doing the most I can to make the second half of the week to feel like a real break. With any luck I'll be able to get a little fishing in with Paul (Emily's friend Melody's husband, and my constant source of temptation to play World of Warcraft) and play soccer on Saturday with church guys, which would be awesome.

Anyways, I suppose that Spring Break isn't so much the lie my bitter side would like it to be.

Les Cuisses de Grenouille

I just finished reading Pastwatch: The Redemption of Christopher Columbus, and like the Foundation series it focuses on how one event can shape history/destiny. Adding to that UNLV has had its best season in basketball since Tark the Shark left amid scandal in the early '90's. And thinking of UNLV and the books that I've recently read have gotten me to thinking about many of the events that have helped shaped my life, several of which had UNLV as their backdrop.

I'd say my first real defining moment took about 2 years. Everything that happened up to that point really feels like a wonderful prelude to my life. The friends that I had growing up and through high school helped me survive as a teenager must, and gave me the positive enforcement I needed not to do anything incredibly stupid. The BoB will forever be the best friends I could have ever hoped for.

My mission, when I look back at it, feels like my beginning. I am was longer, the wild zit faced scrawny white boy of the '90's. I calmed down considerably, my faced cleared up and I got a farmers tan. France shaped me. I suppose that's why I hated it for so long. I didn't love it like I should have.

I now think of it as home, and I love the people of my mission. I wonder what I would be like now if I had felt the same way while I was there.

I'm sure I'll write about other events of my life that have helped shape me (nursing school is one of them), but for now I'll leave it with the first big one.

By the way, UNLV beat BYU in the MWC Championship game. I love it when BYU loses (I also like it when U of U loses).

P.S. I may love the Bordelais and the Bayonnais, but Parisians are still assholes.

Calvin and Hobbes...?

I love Calvin and Hobbes. And I imagine some who does would find this somewhat blasphemous, but you can't help thinking that this is possible.

No title...not today...

Have you ever wanted to put a title onto your entry and all that comes to your mind is complete randomness? I know crazy isn't it? Anyways...

I totally dig My Chemical Romance. My Bro Dave gave me a mixed CD with "Welcome to the Black Parade" and "Helena" on it. I now can't stop listening to The Black Parade album. It rocks that hard.

A quick update in the world of Joe's Circadia. It's better, but I greatly look forward to the day when I work normal hours and I don't worry about school. It may be just a distant dream, but a good one.

My bro is now, officially, a RM. I'm happy for him and it's great listening to his mission stories and think about how different we had it. He cried when the toilet flushed. Crazyness. We watched Everything is Illuminated which I highly recomend. In the beginning, everyone (meaning my sister and mom) were wondering if he should be watching it, being all pure and all, but by the end they realized how great a movie it is.

And last of all I just read Ender's Game again for the first time since before my mission. Fantastic book. Hopefully, the movie isn't too far away.

It has been a crazy couple of weeks, with crazy sleep, crazy school, crazy work, crazy everything. I'm happy I have a wife who grounds my sanity.

Circadian

I lost my circadian rythmn. I lost it about a year ago. I work nights and go to school during the day and sleep when I can. My body hates me and it has recently rebelled. I'm not exactly sure what is was exactly, but it hasn't been pretty. I've missed school and work.

I don't feel like me.

I'd say that all I want to do is sleep, but I'm afraid if I do, I won't be able to sleep when I really want to. So today is going to be a rough one. I'm going to keep my eyes open for the rest of the day and then crash only when I get home from work tomorrow. I'm going to die, but I'll be fine in the end. I need to return to normal.

Wish me luck!

The Former Elder Southerland

For those who might wander onto this page, I suppose most of you know that I'm a Mormon. No, not Amish, Jehovah's Witness, Polygamist, or Scientologist, but a good ol' born in Utah Mormon. Furthermore, a thing about growing up mormon, and being a guy, most of us go on missions. No, not the secret kind where we uncover WMD's in Azerbijan, but the kind where we try and tell people about growing up in Utah...I mean what it is to be a mormon. Hopefully, some people listen and join up. (No, I didn't grow up in Utah... I grew up in it's evil neighbor, Nevada home of legalized gambling, prostitution, and all-you-can-eat buffets.)

Well, my brother, Pete, is coming home from his mission in the Dominican Republic this month (it is February, isn't it?), and it's got me thinking about mine.

I got to go back to the old mission area with Em over the summer. It was like going at see an old friend after you thought they might have forgotten you, only to find out they've been missing you too. It was wonderful. I wasn't the greatest missionary. I had a hard time getting like the French, and I wish I would've tried hard to love them like a missionary should. I met some amazing people while I was there, and going back helped me remember that there were many more amazing people than I let myself believe.

So, despite it's faults, France is a wonderful place, even if Parisian ruin it a bit. So, if you go skip the big city and go straight to the South, specifically the Basque country (Bayonne, Biarritz, Saint-Jean-de-Luz) and get to see how wonderful and freindly the French can really be.

(The pics are my bro, Pete, somewhere in the Dominican Republic and the Gare Bordeaux/St. Jean where my first adventures in France started.)

Once Again It's 3 in the Morning

A relatively easy night at work. So, I'd thought I'd throw down a posting.

My favorite soccer player of all time is Dennis Bergkamp. His goal in the final minutes against Argentina in the 98 World Cup, addicted me to soccer. I remember watching the match early on a Saturday, and being caught up in World Cup-ness. There were yellow cards, and a general bad feeling on the field as both teams became a bit frustrated with being tied, and not wanting to goal into overtime (Holland, Bergkamp's national team, is notoriously cursed in penalty kicks).

But then it happened.

A long ball from one of the DeBoer brothers found Bergkamp in the corner of the penalty box and expertly finished off Argentina. I was hooked.

Since then, I've come to obssess a little about soccer, and especially over Arsenal (Bergkamp's club). One day I will see a game live. Oh yes, I will see a game live.

I have no idea what made me want to rant about my favorite soccer player (he retired last season), but I really don't have to give a reason do I? After all, this is my blog.

(BTW, Holland lost to Brazil in the semi-finals of the '98 World Cup, and Brazil lost to France in the final at Stade de France in Paris.)

Here's a tribute to him

Appalachian Spring and Sunday Mornings

Working nights is starting to wear on me, especially on Sunday mornings. I wish I didn't sleep through church, but my body fights with my will during sacrament meeting. There's usually a point where my mind gives in and then a second later we're singing the closing hymn. Also, there's the dreaded temptation to take an hour nap when I get home from work.

That is a mistake.

I love sleep, and if there's something worse than not being able to sleep, it's being forced to wake up after only an hour of rest. Going this route usually makes me much more groggy for church.

At the moment, I'm using Kix cereal and Copland's Appalachian Spring to aid me in staying awake. Kix reminds me of growing up. It's been a very long time since I've eaten it.

As for Appalachian Spring, I fills me with happiness. Along with Rodeo, which is also on this CD, it gets me in the right mindset for church, adding in a bit of an energy only good music can give. I love Copland's american sound, and despite the vast commercialization of his music (probably because it touches that part in us that is very proudly American), his music still inspires and lifts our spirits to a slightly higher plane.

3 in the Morning

Well, I said I'd do a lot of post from early in the morning, but this is the first since I did my first entry. We finally have gotten a bit of real snow here in the city. Not ice, but beautiful powdery snow. And it should be cold enough for us to keep a hold of it for a couple of days.

Despite my dislike of weathermen, I love unpredictable, crazy weather. Las Vegas wasn't much of a puzzle. Hot in the summer, cold and windy in the winter, not too bad in spring or fall. It rains in July. See, I'm a weatherman too. But I don't stand in front of nothing and point at it.

I just finished Ray Bradbury's The Martian Chronicles, and it was beautiful. He writes with a beautiful sadness, and you can't help but think of or society and where we're headed. I hope he was an optimist, but his writting suggests otherwise.

Next is the second to last book of Asmiov's Foundation, and I'm quite excited. I'm finally drawn to his characters, and I'm ready to really lose myself in the book.

School has started again. I like the people I go to school with, and I feel good about balancing work and school. I'm hoping I can do weel this semester, not just get by, but really learn and get a good grade.

I need to motivate myself. That's my resolution for the year, self-motivation. Answer the nagging angels in me and get up and do it. In church we'll be learning the teaching of Spencer Kimball, and on his desk was a plaque that said "Do It." I'm hoping to channel that fire into myself and do what I know what needs to be done: at home, school and work.

The Weather Man Conspiracy

So, this weekend we were supposed to have another huge ice storm. We had one at the beginning of December, and it was awesome. Having grown up in the desert, any type of weather beyond windy is rather new to me, so I was rather excited for this new wave of icy cold mayhem.

But not the weather man.

Maybe he's become jaded with all the years of standing in front of a screen with nothing on it. It's possible for anyone to become tired with their job. He may even be concerned about the power outages that were bound to happen because the power company here isn't exactly run by rocket surgeons. But he seemed genuinely happy that it was going to be above 32 degrees at certain points, and that got me thinking.

Weather men must be hoping for global warming.

It would shake up the mundaneness of their jobs. All of the sudden they'd have new stuff to report, things that they could really point to as to why they're wrong all the time.

Sure, I could just be paranoid and a little bitter because we really didn't get any real ice storm. But I just know that somewhere, weather men are leaving their cars running at night and not recycling.

Someone call Al Gore, I've solved the problem.

La Joie de la Vie Francaise

So today we watched a great movie called Joyeux Noel, it's about WWI and how during Christmas of 1914 enemy soldiers fraternized and celebrated the holidays together. The specific story in the movie isn't neccesarily true, but similar events did happen.

It got me thinking. Would that happen now? Do we have enough in common with arabic/muslim people that we would be friends with them if it wasn't for the current conflict? It's something that I would desperately love to say "yes" to, but I feel that I would just be kidding myself.

Who's fault is it that Christians/Muslims, West/East (Let's include Asian allies as the "West"), Democracy/Communism, and even Right/Left wing can't get along and just seem to be natural enemies? Is our philosophy right? Do we live our philosophy? Are we as a people destined to only be identified with our political leaders? Do Muslims love their children too?

These are just a couple of things that I've been thinking about. I hope that I'm not as ethno-centric that I think I am.

People's Choice Awards

Nobody I know watches 2 and 1/2 Men. Nobody. Why is it that the People's Choice awards, Teens Choice awards and Nickelodeon's Fun Time Happy Slime Kids Vote Online for Crappy Stuff Awards, always end up with the same winners? Is it because people with their own opinions never vote for this stuff? I have no problems with Johnny Depp what-so-ever. He doesn't like U.S. politics, so he moved to France and married a super skinny Frog chick. Eat that Tim Robbins and Susan Saranden. The new "Pirates" movie was good but it wasn't great. Kids love Orlando Bloom, but not enough to beat Captain Jack. And why do they fixate on one movie? By the way, Entertainment Weekly doesn't even mention these awards.

That's it for me venting.

This picture is from our honeymoon, standing in line for the buffet at the Stratsphere. It has nothing to do with the People's Choice Awards.

Half-Way There

School starts on Tuesday. I can't say I look forward to it too much. The next few months I will be submitting myself to no sleep and fried brain cells. Why is nursing so dang hard? Is it because people can die if you don't do your job? People are so paranoid.

Speaking of paranoid, every once-in-a-while something flashes under the typing box. Big Brother? It's probably Barnes watching to make sure I don't break HIPPA. Don't worry, I won't talk about that one patient, in that one room.

Back to school.

Where Elvis Walked

I've never been a huge fan of Elvis. This despite of, or because of, the fact that I grew up in Vegas. I can't really say that I'm any more a fan now that I've been to his home. However, it was very cool. The guy loved stuff, and there was plenty of it. It was like a time capsule from the 60's-70's. Shag carpet (even on the walls), old TV's, bright colors, vintage christmas decorations, you get the drift.

The occasion for which we went was my brother Dave's (and Elvis's) birthday. We thought that it was going to be huge and crazy with people crying and stuff. But I guess that's saved for his death day. Instead we were able to see everything we wanted without feeling rushed and got to see lots of cool stuff.

And yes, he's dead.

Mawwiage is what bwings us togeva today......

So the wife and I have been married for about 2 1/2 years, and it's been great. In that time, she's started teaching, I've started nursing school, we've been to Europe, my parents have moved to South Korea, my brother has left on a mission (and will return soon), I've been a bartender, and on, and on...

I have to say, being married is all it's cracked up to be and more. People who avoid it, or roll their eyes at the thought of it don't know what they're missing. Sure, things can be tough, but they can be when you're single too, so why not have some one there.

Plenty of people have made lots of money telling all of us how we should run our marriages/relationships, but lets be honest, we'd rather read something else (in my case sci-fi). The Beatles said, "All you need is love." And in the end that's all. That and patience. And a bit of compromise. And maybe plenty of other things.

I think what I'm trying to say is that I love my wife, and I thought you should all know that.

P.S. The picture is an accidental double exposure that my sister took.

Death and Eternal Life

We just finished watching Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, and earlier today we watched Children of Men, and further still, work does have those unfortunate moments where people pass away. So, I've been thinking a little about death.

The great thing about being mormon, is the belief in continuity of family after death. Eventhough, the passing of a loved one is always difficult, knowing that it's just a temporary vacation from them can make things somewhat easier. And besides, sometimes we need the break from them. Sure, that's a bit harsh, but look deep down and you know it's true.

Anyways, didn't mean to depress or enrage, that's just how I feel at the moment. Call it gallows humor.

Jury Duty and Little Brothers

Well, After two days of just sitting and reading during jury duty, I was actually able to see my brother who's in town for Christmas break. We went to California Pizza Kitchen (forever known as CPK from now on) and then went to For Your Consideration, which was ok, but not up to par with Christopher Guests other movies.

Em is in Columbia today doing stuff with her fam and talking with some teachers from her old high school. Now I'm at home watching The Simpsons. Well that's it for now, I'm sure I'll become deep and profond as this blog becomes more established.
That's it for now.

By the way, that's me and Dave in the Arch from last Thanksgiving. I'm the one with the double chin. I really don't have one.

New Year's

Hello, I imagine a large portion of my entries will be done around 3 in the morning, so please don't mind the random miss firings of my brain.

How fitting that my first entry is on New Year's Day. We didn't really do much tonight (because we didn't pick up any food or snacks Saturday night after we got home from Chicago) ...watched the ball drop, Emily worked on our Euro book, channel surfed, just your normal loafing.

I intend to set some goals and stuff for the new year, but I'm trying to think of plans to make the goals work, seeing how I'll be making many of the same one's I normally do. Don't worry, you'll all be filled in sooner or later as to what they are.

Happy New Years!!!!!