Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving: To be Thankful… What does it mean?

For me looking at all of the blessings that I have in my life and how I am undeserving of them. I have a wonderful wife who loves and supports me. She does a wonderful job raising our kids and she teaches them so much. She is my biggest fan and gives eerily accurate honest criticism. She is so beautiful and talented. I truly “married up”. She is my partner and friend.

I have three great children that I love to play with. I can’t think of a better feeling then returning home after work and seeing them run out the front door to meet me as I pull into the driveway. This never gets old. Even when I try to sneak in they are looking for me. They always have so many things to say and questions to ask and I am their expert. G& S have started using the MacBook more so they ask me how to do things. I am thankful for the chances that I get to steal away with each child and spend alone time with them. I treasure this time with them while they are small (at least Reece is small). I know it won’t last.

I am also thankful for faith. Faith helps me as a father and husband face each day knowing that my family will be safe. I love them all so much (especially my sweetheart, Tammy). I have a wonderful life and a beautiful family. I am extremely blessed.

The Season is upon us...

With the holiday season upon us I think of all the traditions that families and friends have. It is heart- warming to think of getting together and enjoying this time. Not to get too mushy here is a great SNL holiday clip.... JT is pretty talented.

Why we shoot...

David Pogue is a technology columnist for the New York Times. I have mentioned him in this space before and this week his column deserves another mention. But first I want to add my two cents.

Mr. Pogue wrote a column about why we spend countless hours and dollars snapping, taping, shooting and documenting the mundane events that make up our lives. For me the answer is easy; because I need to. It is in my blood. I grew up in a home where we took a lot of pictures and videos of whatever we did. So much so that for fun my brother, our friends and I would video tape ourselves lip syncing in our upstairs rec room. (If these tapes were to ever be found then they would probably be good for blackmail). Another example of our family putting it all on video would be Christmas morning. My Dad would set up the tripod for the video camera and let it just record it all. All the conversations, the bickering about whose turn it was to pass out presents or open a present. We have it all on tape; about 30 years worth.

When my brother and I went to the Grand Canyon with our Grandmother in 1990 we took our big VHS video camera to document the trip. Talk about scenery, too bad we really didn't think about narration...But you can sure see the canyon. I was o involved in getting the adventure filmed that when I lost my footing on a path near the canyon and ripped eight stitches out of my right knee, it was due to the fact that I was filming the view from the canyon rim. (That was not a pleasant drive back to Idaho, since the wound had to heal open and I couldn't bend my knee at all).

Now as a father I will admit I am not as bad as my father was...but I do have quite a few pictures on our MacBook. I take full responsibility. This is the reason that in the spring I hope to install a larger hard drive. Our photo library takes over 7gb of space. That is after archiving photos that are pre-2005. There are many photos. The goal is to eventually upload them and create hardbound books about each of the kids. But for now they are preserved in iPhoto. I know that I am not the only one that does this. It is not that I hope that my kids or friends will be famous or that I will be able to sell the pictures or movies to "E!". It is that when I look back as an old man and share stories with my great-grandchildren I want to be able to show them how happy there family is and has been. How blessed we are. The good stock they come from. So that they know what kind of legacy they should leave for thier great-granchildren.

This is my favorite reader response:

“ Were it not for the video shown to me on our first date, I probably would not be in this 22-year-old marriage of mine. When we sat down to see his family video, I watched my husband run around in the woods playing Indian at the age of 7; I saw his family and the house where he was born and raised. In that half hour of our first date, I fell in love with the boy in the man I married. Viewing that video told me all I wanted to know; 
I still see the boy in his now 80-year-old self.”

Here is the link to the story from David Pogue.

Why we shoot home videos


Responses to Why we shoot

Respect for all...

Students chant 'Assassinate Obama' on school bus






I share this so that we all can see how important it is to share with our children the respect that our elected officials deserve. As with the gentleman in the story I don't think that most Idahoans are racists, but even a joke heard by a child can be taken out of context. Threats to the President of the United States are against the law...

§ 871. Threats against President and successors to the Presidency

(a) Whoever knowingly and willfully deposits for conveyance in the mail or for a delivery from any post office or by any letter carrier any letter, paper, writing, print, missive, or document containing any threat to take the life of, to kidnap, or to inflict bodily harm upon the President of the United States, the President-elect, the Vice President or other officer next in the order of succession to the office of President of the United States, or the Vice President-elect, or knowingly and willfully otherwise makes any such threat against the President, President-elect, Vice President or other officer next in the order of succession to the office of President, or Vice President-elect, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.
(b) The terms “President-elect” and “Vice President-elect” as used in this section shall mean such persons as are the apparent successful candidates for the offices of President and Vice President, respectively, as ascertained from the results of the general elections held to determine the electors of President and Vice President in accordance with title 3, United States Code, sections 1 and 2. The phrase “other officer next in the order of succession to the office of President” as used in this section shall mean the person next in the order of succession to act as President in accordance with title 3, United States Code, sections 19 and 20.

source: http://www.2news.tv/news/local/34274374.html

REXBURG - Controversial words spoken by kids on a school bus have some Madison County parents concerned.

Matthew Whoolery and his wife aren't blaming the school district for what happened on the bus but they do think all parents need to be careful about what they say and teach their children.

Whoolery and his wife couldn't believe it when their second and third graders got off the bus last week and told them what other students were saying.

"They just hadn't heard anything like this before," said Whoolery. "They were chanting on the bus, 'Assassinate Obama. Assassinate Obama.' Then adding in a name sometimes of a classmate on the bus, 'Assassinate Obama and Kate.'"

The Whoolery's explained to their kids what assassinate means then contacted the school about what was happening.

"I think the thing that struck us was just like, 'Where did they get the word and why would they put that word and that person together?'" said Whoolery.

It's not that the Whoolery's are big Obama fans they just don't like people joking about a serious matter concerning any leader of the country.

"I'm assuming if it were, 'Assassinate McCain' you'd feel the same way?" asked reporter Nate Eaton.

"No question about it," replied Whoolery.

After the incident, the Madison School district superintendent sent an email to all teachers, principals, and bus drivers saying that all students should show proper respect for elected officials.

If a student does say something inappropriate, the adult is to calm them down and tell them the behavior is unacceptable.

"I don't think that the majority of people in Rexburg have extreme ideas like that but we were just surprised that it would go that far," said Whoolery.

The Whoolery's moved to Rexburg a year ago. They came from the Middle East where they lived for three years.

In all their time living there, they never heard any comments similar to these about any leaders there or here.

A Day to Remember...

Today is Veterans day. As an adult I don't have an assembly to go to this morning to honor those who have served our great nation. I don't have a moment of solidarity with my fellow students to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. In my heart I can hold dear the memories of those who served. Of Grandpa Crummett and Grandpa Peterson who both served at Farragut Naval Base (although at different times). Of the brother who made the journey across the nation to Arlington National Cemetery to see the remains of a beloved sibling laid to rest. There are many who have served and do serve that deserve our appreciation today and everyday. We are the nation we are because of the sacrifice they made. If you have the chance always, thank a Vet!

Here is the story of the first Idahoan to receive the medal of honor. Here is the Wikipedia article.

NEIBAUR, THOMAS C.

Rank and Organization: Private, U.S. Army, Company M, 167th Infantry, 42d Division. Place and Date: Near Landres-et-St. Georges, France, 16 October 1918. Entered Service At: Sugar City, Idaho. Born: 17 May 1898, Sharon, Idaho. G. O. No.: 1 18, W .D., 1918.

Citation:

On the afternoon of 16 October 1918, when the Cote-de-Chatillion had just been gained after bitter fighting and the summit of that strong bulwark in the Kriemhilde Stellung was being organized, Pvt. Neibaur was sent out on patrol with his automatic rifle squad to enfilade enemy machinegun nests. As he gained the ridge he set up his automatic rifle and was directly thereafter wounded in both legs by fire from a hostile machinegun on his flank. The advance wave of the enemy troops, counterattacking, had about gained the ridge, and although practically cut off and surrounded, the remainder of his detachment being killed or wounded, this gallant soldier kept his automatic rifle in operation to such effect that by his own efforts and by fire from the skirmish line of his company, at least 100 yards in his rear, the attack was checked. The enemy wave being halted and Iying prone, 4 of the enemy attacked Pvt. Neibaur at close quarters. These he killed. He then moved alone among the enemy lying on the ground about him, in the midst of the fire from his own lines, and by coolness and gallantry captured 11 prisoners at the point of his pistol and, although painfully wounded, brought them back to our lines. The counterattack in full force was arrested to a large extent by the single efforts of this soldier, whose heroic exploits took place against the skyline in full view of his entire battalion.

Presidential History!

Tonight history was made. No matter how you voted it was an historic night (John McCain even said so). The election is over. The people have spoke. Those who did not prevail it is time to put hurt feelings aside and come together with our new President. For those who have said they would move out of the country if Obama won; I hope you don't. We are "One Nation Under God".

Congratulations President-Elect Obama!

Election Memories

I turned eighteen May 01, 1992. The Presidential Primary election season was already in full swing and I was a senior in high school. I will admit that I was not too involved in politics at that time. I was looking forward to voting in the general election in November 1992.


In the fall of 1992 I was a freshman at Ricks College in Rexburg, ID. Now I grew up in Idaho, but Eastern Idaho and Southwest Idaho are like, well Oregon and Utah. I grew up in as much of an urban area as possible in an agricultural state. Urban enough that I did not see a potato truck until I lived in Rexburg. I lived in an apartment off campus, not the dorms. My five other roommates were all freshmen, like me. I knew one of them before moving in, my friend Dylan McDonald. He and I have been friends since his mom taught me kindergarten.


Growing up my Dad was a teacher and my mother a nurse. Dylan's parents were both teachers. So needless to say we had some mid to left leaning ways in our households. Now that is not that uncommon. In Idaho in 1990 the legislature was split almost 50/50 Democrat and Republican. But in Rexburg things are a bit more red, especially at Ricks College.


Anyway back to the election. Since we were living away from home our parents helped Dylan and I get absentee ballots. So we voted a few days before the election and then mailed in our ballots. Our roommates three from California and one from Kentucky voted locally. They had to register as residents. But that was not a big deal as they were not living with their parents and had moved out. (Idaho did not have same day registration until 1994) So we all voted.


Election night we did what many people did we watched the election results on TV. As the returns came in you could tell with each announcement of a winner how each roommate had voted. In our apartment we were really divided along economic lines. See the roommates from California were from a higher tax bracket then the roommate from Kentucky, Dylan and myself. So as it became clearer and clearer that Bill Clinton was going to win there was a little excitement from us. I remember that at the end of the night we watched MTV as they had a "Rock The Vote" party with many performers and the President-Elect.


This was my first experience voting in a Presidential election. For me it is like a New Year's Day bowl game to see how the election turns out and watch the activity as the returns come in. Even if my candidate does not win it is great to see everyone take part in the democratic process.

Election Day!

Remember there are some who do not want you to vote!

VOTE...GO VOTE...GO VOTE...

VOTE...GO VOTE...GO VOTE...
IT IS YOUR DUTY AND RESPONSIBILITY!
THIS IS WHAT PEOPLE HAVE DIED FOR!
If you don't know where...click on the picture below you Google can help you find the location.

You need to know the Truth!

Tomorrow is Election Day! It is important to know the truth. There have been many half-truths and misrepresentations from all sides. ACORN has been one that has come up a lot. One thing to know is that ACORN is not what FOX News says.

Here is a clip about ACORN:


Here is info on John McCain and ACORN...He was a speaker at one of their conferences.

Sen. McCain Stood With ACORN Rally In 2006

13 Oct 2008 09:28 pm

A goldfish's lifetime ago, Sen. John McCain was happy to accept the honors and acclamation of the Service Employees International Union, People for the American Way, UNITE HERE -- and ACORN. Here he is, on Feb. 20, 2006, telling immigration rights activists at a rally in Miami that they "are what makes America special." ACORN co-sponsored the rally, and its volunteers surround McCain, and while there's no evidence that McCain ever formally teamed with the group, the video serves as a reminder that he did not mind being associated with them when the politics of the moment were different. (The video clip was e-mailed to this column by a Democrat who supports Barack Obama.)





McCain had no trouble fraternizing with ACORN in 2006 when their political interests coincided with his. Now, his campaign is writing e-mails in his name bashing ACORN as a tool of the Obama machine.

"We need your help to ensure a fair and honest election. Already we have seen nationwide voter registration fraud by ACORN - a group closely linked to Barack Obama," one e-mail from "The McCain Legal Team" says.
Source: http://marcambinder.theatlantic.com/archives/2008/10/a_lifetime_ago_sen_john.php

Seven years...

Seven years...that is a long time. Seven years ago something happened that changed life as we know it. It changed the way that people interact with one anther and how families live. Seven years ago life was different. Then it happened. Apple brought out the game-changer.

Apple introduced the first-generation iPod on October 23, 2001. The first iPod had a black and white screen and featured a 5 GB hard drive capable of storing 1,000 songs encoded using MP3 and was priced at US$399. Among the iPod's innovations were its small size, achieved using a 1.8" hard drive, whereas its competitors were using 2.5" hard drives at the time, and its easy-to-use navigation, which was controlled using a mechanical scroll wheel, a center select button, and 4 auxiliary buttons around the wheel. The iPod had a rated battery life of 12 hours.
(source: Wikipedia)

Hard to believe that the iPod has been around for seven years. Now we have podcasting, iPod formatted movies and even iPod games. It has changed how people listen to everything. Too busy to watch the news or listen to it on NPR, there is a podcast that you can download automatically to your iPod to listen to on your commute.

I use my iPod all the time. I listen when I drive, when I mow the lawn everything. But I always have. I had a Walkman that I used from Junior High through High School. I had a new aiwa version that I used on my mission. These were FM/AM cassette players. I would listen all the time when I was walking form place to place or doing menial tasks at home. I would always have one ear occupied with the music. I remember listening to Maná while writing letters to my family on p-day with one ear on and one ear off.

The iPod was the natural transition. I got an iPod 3rd generation (white 15gb) in February 2004, just this past year I got a a 5th generation (black 30gb). For Christmas last year we got the older kids iPod shuffles (1gb). it is an iPod world, we just live in it.


Steve Jobs introducing the iPod.



First iPod commercial.