Vacation...

Vacation.
We just got back from taking a “real” family vacation. We loaded up the kids and drove to Denver, CO to see some friends. It was fun, we drove all night to get there so the kids would sleep and it worked pretty well. We stopped about 3:00 am to take a quick nap, and then we were on our way. We were there for about six days. It was a lot of fun. We took the kids to a water park and they had a blast. My brother-in-law was in Denver for work so we were able to see him for a little while also. I was able to visit one of the “Apple” stores in the area (twice actually). I took the kids to the Apple store and they were able to play on some of the eMacs and they loved it. On the way home we stopped in Pocatello for a family reunion.
So in the next few weeks I am going to try to collect my thoughts on the vacation and what not. Check it out and see.

Alias

Alias.
So I am sort of a sci-fi show person. I like some TV and movies of that genre, I am by no means an expert or addict. Except for a few things. Right now it is Alias. I know you’re thinking “Wasn’t that show cancelled since Ben Affleck’s wife had her baby?” The answer is YES. Alias had its series finale on May 22, 2006 after a five year run. I didn’t start watching Alias until near the end of season one, but after that my wife and I were hooked. We made sure that if we weren’t going to be home to watch then we had a way to record it. This past year TNT started running reruns of Alias, I made a point to set the DVR to record when it came on so I could enjoy my favorite episodes again. My wife went along the first time TNT went through all the episodes, but when they started again, she wasn’t too interested. So I watch them now when I have time, making sure that I don’t fill up the DVR.
At times, I wonder why I like it so much. I think that it has to do with the relationship dynamics as they are presented in the show. Sydney and her father Jack, his limited disclosures and deception all in the best interest of his daughter. Sydney, having to deceive her friends about her actual profession (they thought she worked at a bank, not for the CIA or SD-6). Irina Derevko (aka Laura Bristow) her initial deception to Jack and also her limited disclosure to Sydney and Jack years later. This family dynamic is very interesting. There is also the intrigue; I always liked that suspense that comes before the ultimate resolution (see The Hunt for Red October). As long as TNT or some station shows the reruns I will be on the lookout for Alias and while watching the episodes perusing the episode guide to see what will happen next.

Family Pictures...in the bush

We took some family pictures the other night and these are the results. It was for an upcoming family reunion later in the month. We went to a greenbelt/ walking path near our home. We had great-grandma, grandpa, aunts, uncles and cousins.

























And here is Gabe after a haircut.

Which Pole are you from?

Polarization…“The process by which the public opinion divides and goes to the extremes” (Wikipedia). This is a huge problem in American Society. If you don’t believe that it is, think of how many times in the past few years that different states have been classified and either red or blue. This portrayal of ideals from the media and government that you are either “with us or against us” gives the perception that there is only extreme ways to think. I was watching the “Today Show” this morning and they had a person on promoting a book and the purpose of this book was to promote one way of thinking, while condemning the opposing view. Not trying to promote a line of thinking on its merits solely, but at the expense of the other. How does that help to bring a solution to any situation?

What happened to compromise? What happened to looking at the information and then together finding the appropriate solution, not attacking the other person until somebody gives in? That would be an awful way to have a marriage or any relationship; they would be over before they grew to anything worth value. Seeing in black and white values would make life very difficult. You could never accept less than perfect. Imagine if the father of the prodigal son was that way, the son could have never returned. I am sure glad that things are not really that way. People actually have the opportunity to change and make their lives better.

The person on the “Today Show” was promoting a book, so they were there for one reason; money. There are people that make their living polarizing people. There are people who get elected using fear to polarize people. This is both on the liberal and conservative and in-between sides. I don’t believe that people are only red OR blue; I think there are quite a few shades of purple out there.