whispers in the wind

Wallpaper Meme

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 01:47:47 GMT

I have nilo to thank for this meme.

Rules:
Anyone who looks at this entry has to post this meme and their current wallpaper at their LiveJournal. [Er, no, you don't have to. You know how I feel about free will.]

Explain in five sentences why you're using that wallpaper!

Don't change your wallpaper before doing this! The point is to see what you had on! And a few more !!!. Just because!!!!!!

And here is my entry:

A Dangerous Sunrise on Gliese 876d

Why did I have this on my desktop? Need you ask? It's an awesome image. Something which could really be occurring, elsewhere in our galaxy! Sometimes, there is grandeur in the sheer power of some things in our universe.

p.s. -- I have found a TON of fascinating images in the archive at the Astronomy Picture of the Day website.

Random thoughts while cleaning at oh-dark-thirty

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 09:36:45 GMT

So, I'm cleaning house in the middle of the night.

Why? Because it's the best time is when kids and pregnant women aren't underfoot, or around to inhale the noxious vapors. (Or, to be there when I run into a spider... there really seem to be a lot of those, this year) Admittedly, I'll be less attentive as a Father and Husband, sleeping some of this off during the daytime. Which, I feel really bad about, but this is a temporary inconvenience for the Greater Good.

So I've got my iPod, my Crocs (Most Comfortable Shoes on the Planet), and a huge supply of paper towels, trash bags and medical-grade gloves. And, I've got my thoughts. They range from the profoundly spiritual to the selfishly mundane.

- We missed Church this last Sunday. I'm still feeling down, spiritually, because of it. Neither of us was thrilled about taking a cold shower before going. Pipes was feeling extra-achy, and I... well, I just hadn't gotten any sleep on the preceding two days. (following some horrendous, twelve-hour night shifts) But, excuses don't count for much. I've got to get that baptism on-track. Sunshine isn't getting any younger, and I wanna be the one to baptize her, when she turns eight.

- We bought Pipes a new iPod Nano a little while ago. This, so she can take more music (and now, movies) with her to work; so she can have something for when she's driving the van; and so she will have something to exercise with, after the baby. Of course, Pipes is a very self-restrained individual in some respects. She doesn't want to spend money on herself. (I, on the other hand, have the opposite problem) So, my solution has been to hand her a $25 iTunes gift card from time to time. She's been thrilled, which makes me feel very, very pleased.

- Pipes' selections are highly eclectic, just like mine. They run from new alternative, to older stuff (like The Andrews Sisters, and some Big Band), to Emmy Packer (a friend she grew up with), to Disney tunes. Yes, Disney. I considered omitting that last part, for those of you still scandalized by our age difference, but she's freakin' twenty-two now. And, well, it's awfully amusing to me to be listening randomly to something heavier, like Type O-Negative, and then have "Ooondah duh See!" come on.

- We haven't been out to see Obachan (my Japanese Grandma) in over a week. Grandpa died a few weeks ago. We're gonna have to take her out for some food and chat. She seems to be handling things pretty well, but she's always been very tough on the outside.

- I recently caught the pilot (first) episode of a new series, via iTunes: Nurse Jackie. It definitely isn't Leave it to Beaver, or ER. (This is a show in the same lineup with Weeds.) But... it has a certain flavor and truth to it. I see aspects in Jackie from many nurses whom I have known. All of them faulted in one way or another, but some of them still amazingly good at making people whole again. Or, as whole as they can become, after what happens... Or, worst case, helping them on their way out. I'm particularly annoyed by her infidelity and her drug [ab]use, but I also know that this happens an awful lot in my field. Long hours, stressful situations, and the bonds one develops while in those situations with others.

- I joined the millions of people on World of War~~craft~~crack recently. My mind has been very engaged with planning my character(s) out. Yes, this might seem very childish to you non-gamers, but it's definitely an outlet. (and I've needed an outlet for awhile) I've the opportunity to rejoin some friends I once knew in another game. I was a co-founder for a group which included older, more mature gamers, hunted player-killers mercilessly, espoused higher virtue, negotiated truces between rival factions, and which strongly encouraged everyone to have a real life beyond the Game. The most fun we had was in chat, while hunting together, or battling to control an area of the world. We weren't the most powerful group, sword-for-sword, but we strongly influenced the game. The Developers sought our input for certain things.

- I realize that I really ought to re-tool my icons a little on here. Some are perfect for one purpose or another, and ought to remain forever, but others ought to change because... well, I need to be able to express my diverse aspects and moods more fully. Especially, with my life having changed so much in the last two years.

- Some parting music recommendations, as I return to my cleaning duties:

Kalai : Guide Me to Thee (This guy is a musician in my ward!)
Eels : Fresh Blood
Sara Bareilles : Little Voice
Everlast : Saving Grace -&- Tuesday Mornin'
Gene Krupa : Drummin' Man
Queen : Flash's Theme
The Crystal Method : Drown in the Now (there is a very cool video available for this)
Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears : Sugarfoot (also vidded)
Sting : Someone to Watch Over Me
Booker T. & the MG's : Green Onions
Sophie Milman : Where Do You Start?
The Chemical Brothers : Block Rockin' Beats
David Allan Coe : The Ride
The Andrews Sisters : Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy
Crash Kings : Mountain Man -&- You Got Me
Dick Van Dyke, Julie Andrews (Mary Poppins) : Chim Chim Cher-ee
Shaw Blades : For What It's Worth (the only cover of Buffalo Springfield I've liked)
Don Henley : Workin' It

Cold Water

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 23:15:50 GMT

So, the water heater went out. I have no idea why... it was barely put in, two years ago. We're supposedly getting gas, because I can turn the heater (air-heater) on, and get heat. Trying to start the Pilot is just not working - no spark.

I never realized how much I took hot water for granted, before this. I remember cold swimming pools (50 degrees or so) at scout camp, when I was a boy, but I don't remember it being this un-fun. Maybe that's because I'm a slightly more crusty adult, 23 years later?

As I type this, I'm building up the courage to go soap up, and then jump into a frigid cascade of death. Yesterday, when I did it, I couldn't help bursting into high-pitched bouts of insane laughter. You know it's not good when you start feeling "warm" again...

I'm going to have to call my Landlord. Problem is, the house is a mess. With BethAnne being so huge, and ready to pop, she's not been able to do much housework lately. And I -- I work four intense 12-hour nights a week, and so I lack both the energy and the desire for such things once I return home. In other words, much of our house just isn't as clean as I'd like it to be, and I'll be damned if I have the Landlord come when it looks like this!

So, we suffer, until I clean up a little bit more. I think I'll be cleaning very, very quickly.

Life is funny. ;-)

Still Living

Sat, 16 May 2009 22:30:09 GMT

New iMac. My first new rig in about seven years. (If you don't count my Xbox 360) And HOLY... FREAKING... HELL... it's got a TWENTY-FOUR INCH SCREEN!

Almost a new Baby... Pipes is eight months, one week pregnant. In fact, she went to her baby shower this morning whilst I hit my pillow between shifts. That situation has been going pretty good for the most part, although there have been a couple of scares along the way.

Life's been busy being... life. But it's been good. And, for some reason, it's harder to post when you're busy living better times. It seems like angst and blogging go together like peanut butter 'n jelly. I always start missing this stuff though, y'know. I just feel more sane and centered, after laying little chunks of my life down "on paper". Perhaps this is why so many great leaders tell us we ought to keep journals?

In fact, Pipes just now contacted me from the baby shower, after I began typing this, and told me one of her legs is larger than the other (with edema), which could be a sign of a blood clot. We're going to get it checked out, just in case. (This makes scare #3, after a respiratory episode, and some preterm labor, in previous months)

I told myself I wasn't going to be one of those "first time parents" who calls the doctor every week for something. Especially, because I'm a nurse. But in this case, I know what that kind of symptomology can mean. And, when it comes to your own Loved Ones, it's really hard to step back and take an "objective and professional" approach.

Argh. Drama. I guess it never stops coming into one's life. Not if you're still living. =)

Thanksgiving

Thu, 27 Nov 2008 23:31:16 GMT

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you!

I am thankful for:

My wonderful wife, PIpes. She has renewed my faith in Love, and she has become so much in the last couple of years. My true Companion and Best Friend.

Shade, my baby girl, whom I have a much better relationship with now, thanks to Pipes.

Sunshine, my oldest daughter, who is Daddy's Girl.

This nation -- the USA -- for what its originating ideals mean. Although, I worry that it is losing its way.

The brave men and women of the Armed Forces.

God, and all that He does for me and my loved ones. Much as I understand why some people would expect a higher-order being to not trouble Himself with us, I can see His hand in my life, repeatedly.

Jesus Christ, Whose sacrifice I perhaps am only beginning to grasp.

My Job, even though I feel like I want to go insane sometimes.

Our health.

My Brother and his family.

My Sister and hers.

My two sisters whom, although they are not in this life, I feel they have tried to be near my family during special occasions.

My parents who, although not perfect, taught me many things.

My extended family.

My friends... and that includes all of you here on LiveJournal. And, those of you who aren't, like my "Other Brother", Rudy and his family. (CAKE, BRUTHA!!!)

The pregnancy which Pipes and I just discovered... even though we were on birth control. This definitely isn't the easiest time for this to happen, but this child will be loved. And, almost as importantly, this child will be.

I must work tonight... holidays don't make a dent in a medical schedule, but I will still be keeping the holiday in my heart, and thinking upon all that I love and honor.

I love the Onion

Sun, 09 Nov 2008 01:03:27 GMT

Supporters of Obama:

Okay, you guys won. Have a little humor about it and WATCH THIS VIDEO. ;-)

Reality Check

Sat, 08 Nov 2008 22:27:53 GMT

I think seeing the Republican Party getting the living hell comedically-slapped out of them in front of the world-public is one of the best things which could have happened to them.

I really do feel that way.

Frankly, would the Democratic Party be where it is today, if it hadn't had to take a long, hard look at itself (and maybe take some risks, like supporting Obama) after 2000 and 2004? With the 2008 election, they've had both the Executive and Legislative branches tied up in a bow and handed to them, just in time for Christmas.

This isn't based upon any vengeful desire against the GOP. I just think a little humility, now and then, is a good thing.

I may have my own political anxieties about our current political situation (or rather, the one which starts on January 20th), given that I'm a sort of Conservative-Libertarian, but I had different (but just as strong) political anxieties about the Shrub too. Given that, a little "change" now and then can be a refreshing thing.

Odd Feelings

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 14:32:22 GMT

Since last night I have felt possessed of the most odd -- no, creepy! -- feeling that, perhaps, President-Elect Obama will be assassinated at some point. Perhaps some of it has to do with the general perception of him as a "Black Kennedy", or the curious mix of Kennedy and MLK, Jr. (and their preceding assassinations), which he may represent to some people. Certainly, there is the fact that Obama is (historically defined, despite promises to reach across the aisle) an extremist, and may draw the ire of some of the more freakish factions of our nation. I also seem to remember a statistic that about every fourth President has been assassinated... although, the chain was broken by Reagan, who survived the attempt on his own life.

(Obama would be the fourth President after Reagan: Reagan, Bush Sr., Clinton, Bush Jr., Obama...)

That isn't to say that there haven't been attempts on previous Presidents' lives. Saddam Hussein tried to kill Bush, Sr. (The one who preceded Bill Clinton) after his Presidency. There were at least two or three individuals who opened up on the White House with an automatic rifle during Clinton's Presidency... and one individual who flew his private plane into the White House, itself. (Clinton wasn't home at the time, and the reinforced walls of the Presidential palace resisted the impact just fine) But actual death... I remember hearing it was every fourth President. (Until Reagan) Does anyone care to correct that information?

Thoughts? I know this isn't the most comfortable topic to bring up. And I am NOT advocating that this occur. I just... worry.

America has Spoken

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 11:03:58 GMT

Congratulations to President-Elect Obama, and to all who supported him in this election. It would be very hard for me to not feel some sense of hope, as it oozes from the pores of so many of my friends and family. I do have to give it to Barack Obama: the man can speak. The man can inspire. And, if it were not for my concerns about his choices as a leader, I would be fully celebrating as much as you are. This is truly an historic election.

As it is, I am happy that we have the opportunity to at least try something new after eight years of Bush. I did not feel that McCain offered that. I did feel that, perhaps, Palin offered that, with her own history of having challenged and overcome the entrenched powers of both parties in her own state. I will be watching her political career more closely from now on. I expect she will likely run for President in 2012 or 2016. (And I think that, if Hillary tries again, she will find she no longer has the support to do so.)

I also hope that the election of a black man will finally help to oust another entrenched philosophy, carried by many Americans: that this country is somehow designed to keep anyone of color from succeeding. It is time to throw race and gender out of politics and get down to something more important. We have other problems to solve, and quickly, before they bring this great nation down any further.

I'll give the man his fair shake. We all owe him that. Even those who are bitter over McCain's loss in this election. Come January 20th, I will throw my support behind Obama, as MY new President. And I will expect him to discharge the duties of his office more responsibly than his predecessors from both parties.

Halloween Spirit

Mon, 22 Sep 2008 01:23:38 GMT

I am looking forward to Halloween with huge anticipation. I have to admit -- while feeling nervous that some will consider it odd -- that I am as excited about the Halloween season (as it is now becoming, instead of the single day it once was) as I am about Christmastime. Especially, this year.

Last year was a bit of a let-down. I'm not blaming it on Pipes... but we were going through a bit of a health crisis with her last year, with these strange abdominal pains. They'd taken both her gallbladder and appendix out in mid-October, and the postop care (and restrictions on activity) simply made Halloween a more limited affair. No haunted houses or anything. That's okay... we had some fun anyway. And it was my privilege to take care of my sweetheart. I think it really helped to convince Pipes' family how much I cared about her.

But this year? Halloween is going to be much, much more fun. We're planning on hitting several haunted houses. Maybe, planning a murder-mystery dinner event for ourselves and some friends. (If you live in the area, and are reading this, you would be invited) We get the girls on Halloween this year, and we're excited to take them trick-or-treating. We've already purchased costumes for the family. I put together a playlist for Halloween (two actually... one for sound-effects, and one for holiday-appropriate music) before completely losing my mind on iTunes. I bought a strobe light and some UV lights to decorate the place with. And I've been beefing up my collection of Halloweenish movies in the past few months... I'm hoping to really update my list of Halloween movie recommendations this year, if I can make the time. Oh, and to add to the Halloween mood lately? I've been working the past six months at a place which some people consider to be haunted. *shrug* I've never seen anything, but some of the staff are reporting strange happenings in the basement lately.

*evil grin*

M. Night Shyamalan

Sat, 20 Sep 2008 21:21:35 GMT

He is a funny character... or rather, his films are an interesting thing to me.

"The Sixth Sense" is a ghost story I love, and found very easy to get into. But then, I found that I didn't like many of his other films. At least... not at first.

With movies like "Unbreakable" and "The Village", I would initially walk away and feel they were a bit stupid. But then, to my surprise, when I would come back and watch them again, I would get much more into them. They would suddenly be alive to me, somehow. Communicate something that perhaps I had ignored... I think that anyone who is too "pop-saturated" might not be able to appreciate anything but the most flashy, sometimes gory, eye-candy. Perhaps that's it? Or perhaps I was somehow just better-drawn into the story in some other way.

I'm still waiting to have the same transformation of opinion for "Signs" and "Lady in the Water", but hey. I have time (and, in the latter case, Bryce Dallas Howard) to decide if I like them better. ;-)

Confess & Forsake

Mon, 01 Sep 2008 13:50:02 GMT

Pipes got me an iPod, just a few days before our wedding. A nice, 80 gig Classic, with video and the whole shebang. It's inscribed on the back with the message, "I'm the Luckiest". (A reference to our song) She almost got me the iPod Touch, but those piddly little 16-gig devices just wouldn't have anything close to the capacity needed for my music. In fact, I have so much music that I had to enable "disk functionality" on my iPod, just to use some of its space for additional storage. (After filling up an external hard drive or two, and leaving some space for OS X to breathe)

Of course, what happens when a guy like me gets a new toy? No wait, I'll approach this another way. This is worse than just a new toy.

Who, here, is familiar with the story of that rat, where they electronically wired its feeder-bar to the pleasure-center of its brain? At first, it only pressed once or twice, and -- WOW! -- what a great result occurred! It wondered what would happen if it pressed the bar again. And again. And again and again. And then, before it knew it, the rat had foregone any sense of normal ratness to just KEEP/P/P PRES/S/S/ING/G/G THAT BAR/R/R!!! (After all, it's just one little press, right?)

That feeder bar is the [BUY] button on iTunes.

At least, for me it was. All of those well-remembered (and memory-associated) 80s songs. Even older classics. Material to feed my Halloween and Christmas playlists. New and interesting stuff keeps coming out every day, too. It's only a dollar a download, or ten dollars for a whole album, and that's how they get you. Millions of little bombs, filled with deadly, instant musical gratification, flown in right below the financial radar.

I finally regained my sanity in one sudden, reality-restoring, cold-sweat inducing, soul-jarring jolt, while reviewing my bank statement.

I normally don't let my inner beast get away like that, but music is obviously a weak-point for me. And it's not just music, it's audiobooks, podcasts (the one, usually-free item) and even movies. Stuff we can listen to during the many hours we spend in the car, shuttling Sunshine and Shade to school, dance classes and other destinations across the valley. Stuff I can use to feed my brain during the dead hours between midnight and four, while I'm at work on the night shift. (Instead of just pouring on more caffeine, at 170 calories per can of Mountain Dew)

Pipes has been very understanding. In fact, she's pleased that I like my new toy... but gave me a swat and told me not to ever let it happen again. And, in a way, that's the worst punishment of all in this situation: loving forgiveness. I almost wish she would get more outwardly angry at me. But she's being so understanding that she already knows I'm beating myself up pretty bad over it. I didn't quite put us in the poor-house, but we've had shuffle a few things around to make it work this month. I feel like a complete a**.

So I've sworn off iTunes for a month or more. And then, I'm going to have an allowance in the budget we're working up for combining our finances. In fact, I'm excited at the prospect that we may be able to put some money away, and maybe save up for a couple of new purchases. Like a new computer, and an HDTV.

Of course, I was so filled with guilt and a sense of my own financial dishonor, that I begged Pipes to not mention it to anyone else... but here I am, confessing my utter stupidity to the rest of you. There's a scripture somewhere that says, if one is truly penitent, one will confess and forsake one's sins. Maybe that's
why I found this story flowing from my fingers onto the screen this morning. I don't know. It's a story that wants to be told.

I do know I'll be much more careful from now on.

At least, until we get that new computer.

Amusement

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 18:59:52 GMT

Given McCain's choice of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin (female) for his running mate, Obama's personal spokesman, Bill Burton, had this to say:

"Experience is being taken off the table considering you're putting someone within a heartbeat of the presidency with the thinnest foreign policy experience in history."

Wait a minute... Palin is just the Vice-Presidential candidate. Obama, who also has no foreign policy experience to speak of, is running for President. [Spock eyebrow ensues]

I think choosing Palin was a gutsy move... It means McCain is still in the game, and well-prepared to use many of the same tactics Hillary used vs. Obama, in addition to the standard Republican vs. Democrat rhetoric. I think it's regrettable that minority politics have had such a strong part in this election, but the reality is that Palin's plumbing, and Obama's skin, will swing votes simply for being a product of nearly-random DNA decisions.

[Standard disclaimer: I belong to neither party, but tend to be a sort of Conservative/Libertarian]

More posts to come later. Much has happened. I'm also going to see if I can scan in some photos, maybe.

The Dark Knight

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 22:26:33 GMT

Pipes and I got to see "The Dark Knight" last night on IMAX, with my brother and his wife.

We'd seen it once before, but the experience was simply better when projected on a screen the size of a building. Apparently, from what I'm told, this movie was filmed for IMAX, and then the top and bottom portions were cut off to fit in most "regular"(letterbox) theaters... much the same way that "pan and scan" movies cut off the left and right portions of a letterbox movie to fit them on an old-style TV screen.

Plus, my brother and I just don't spend that much time together anymore. That's a long story which I might go into later, but maybe things are looking up a bit for our relationship?

If you haven't seen the movie, it's definitely dark. Some people may not be able to enjoy it as I did. I don't want to spoil any of the numerous twists and turns for you, but I also want to say that I found this movie to be even better than "Batman Begins". It presented a real, moral debate, without necessarily moralizing. And without cheapening the story, IMHO.

And I have to say, Heath Ledger's performance makes Jack Nicholson's Joker look like... well, a joke. Something more worthy of the old '60s Batman series. He deserves every accolade. I'm not sure it was worth his life, however. And along those lines... rumor has it that a series of mishaps has continued to befall the cast and crew of "The Dark Knight".

Life Continues

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 17:32:18 GMT

Today we return to "normal" life. We both have work, and have to put our feet back on the ground after all of the fun and insanity of the last week or so. We've spent a lot of money the last week and a half, between the wedding's last-minute expenses, celebration and such. Now, we're talking marital budget, and how to save for a couple of things. (Like, a new computer, and a car to replace the clunker Pipes has been driving since we started dating) Things are settling down, for the most part. I'm going to try to both read and post more often.

Lost in Space
We stayed at the Anniversay Inn, in Logan, Sunday night. Pipes chose the "Lost in Space" room, in which the bathroom is a launch-capsule (or an airlock?), the ceiling has glowing stars and planets, and such. It could have been subtitled the "1981 Retro" room too, from some of the decorations, heh. It had one of those mirrors with the little lights going off into infinity? Yeah, I want one of those now. We liked the place so much, we think we're going to be going back a few more times. Logan is just enough out of the way that you can feel disconnected from the rest of your life, but it's also close enough that we don't have to worry about burning up too much gas, or about being too far away if anything should come up.

Confounding the Missionaries
The LDS Missionaries came by a couple of nights ago, responding to an inquiry I dropped into the LDS church's website a week earlier. We've made an appointment to talk this coming Monday. We were having a pretty good conversation when Pipes walked outside, and got some wide smiles. It's become a point of amusement for us when people do the triple-glance between her and myself, seeing us together. ;-) I wonder if either of them -- for the briefest moment -- thought this might be one of those "missionary opportunities", where one meets a beautiful daughter on one's mission and converts her? (Or some other missionary fantasy?) I introduced her as my wife, and got a little bit of initial confusion, but they recovered well. I expected this. We'll see how things go, come Monday, heh. I think it'll help for them to see us in a domestic situation. Pipes and I just... fit.

I'll try to get and show some photos with you guys soon. =)

Our Song

Sun, 10 Aug 2008 18:19:38 GMT

The Luckiest
by Ben Folds

I don't get many things right the first time,
In fact, I am told that a lot,
Now I know all the wrong turns, the stumbles and falls,
Brought me here.

And where was I before the day,
That I first saw your lovely face?
Now I see it everyday.
And I know...

That I am,
I am,
I am,
The Luckiest.

What if I'd been born fifty years before you,
In a house on a street where you lived?
Maybe I'd be outside as you passed on your bike.
Would I know?

And in a white sea of eyes,
I see one pair that I recognize
And I know...

That I am
I am
I am
The Luckiest

I love you more than I have ever found a way to say to you.

Next door there's an old man who lived to his nineties
And one day passed away in his sleep
And his wife; she stayed for a couple of days
And passed away

I'm sorry, I know that's a strange way to tell you that I know we belong
That I know...

That I am,
I am,
I am,
The Luckiest!

My Big, Fat "Fokker" Wedding

Sun, 10 Aug 2008 18:14:20 GMT

So I wish I could say the entire event went off without a hitch... but you know, something always has to happen to give me a story, right? It's almost too stupid and embarrassing to admit.

(Although, that's what blogs are for, right?)

I was a bit nervous, of course. More than that, actually. Last-minute jitters began to subtract from my IQ by the minute, as my anxiety level began to climb. This was my third wedding. Was I being hasty? (Images of Treebeard come to mind right now, as I sit her contemplating everything afterwards) Pipes was wonderful. She not only got herself ready, but the girls. I just had to get myself ready.

We got up to the wedding site, and I realized that I'd left all of the cold-packs for my special vest! I thought myself pretty clever... We were going to be in a garden wedding, outside in the August afternoon heat, wearing dresses and tuxedos, and I'd acquired a special, medical vest designed to keep people sensitive to heat at a comfortable 60° for hours. Only, those cold-packs were still sitting in my freezer, 20 miles south of us!

So I had to go back. Thankfully, we had time to spare. I got back, and was able to help my future Brother-in-Law fix a strand of Japanese festival lanterns which'd been hung backwards (but beautifully so!), with their plug out in the tree, instead of by the house! (Meanwhile, the landscapers were just putting their finishing touches on the massive waterfall and pond which now dominates Mom and Dad's backyard... the pump was being glued together, and plants were being lowered into place, inside the water)

Time to get ready. Rudy, my Best Man, arrived and we went to get ready at Pipes' brother's place.

!!!

Wait a minute... did Pipes get the tux out of the trunk, already???

The horrible realization that my tuxedo was still in our house, hanging in our bedroom, came upon me with a sharp thrust into my gut.

Okay, just breathe. The wedding is supposed to start in half an hour -- the Judge should be arriving in fifteen minutes!-- but my family is an hour late just getting there (as always)...
My future In-Laws haven't even gotten in the shower yet, still being busy with the last-minute preparations on the catering and such.
Not to worry, right? Right?!?

I was burning serious rubber on my second trip back. I was in a seriously foul mood as I jinked around car and van (and even, passed one highway patrollman at a careful 5mph above the speed limit) to get myself home to Salt Lake City. Think: the kind of driving you always see in a given movie from a new Daddy, once Mom goes into labor. (Pipes called while I was on my way: just make sure I don't kill myself before we said our I-do's. Oh, and by the way, an extraneous album was still in with the wedding playlist I'd created... her brother was about to attempt to excise it, and hopefully that wouldn't delete the entire playlist)

I'm all sweaty from helping in the garden anyway, and the landscapers had been smoking. I need a shower. Yeah, this is a good thing.

I got home. Just in case, I quickly rebuilt the playlist for the reception on my own iPod (I'll explain later why I had to do this, instead of just synching an existing list), and then jumped into the shower. Five phone calls, from Pipes, from my Dad (who had finally gotten to the wedding, and where was I??? EVERYONE IS WAITING!!!) and from my Best Man later, I was hastily dressed in my tux and speeding back up to the wedding... and still, in a very foul mood. I began uttering prayers through my car's roof at 90mph:

Heavenly Father, I know I am far too angry and frustrated right now, and I know I am having a very hard time changing my mood. I don't want to make things any worse when I get there...

I got there fifteen minutes before the Judge needed to leave. Thankfully, he was a childhood friend of my father's, and was being very patient and understanding.

I'm told that Pipes was outside when my car dropped out of lightspeed into their street, and comically bolted inside (her dress bunched in her arms as she ran) to avoid my seeing her before the special moment... her brother ran interference long enough to delay me, on my way to the bathroom for a few, still very pissed-off, finishing touches. I quickly tightened my waistband; set my tie, vest and jacket to rights; made one last, angry appraisal in the mirror and exited.

My Mother-in-Law pulled me aside when she saw my face, and gave me a quick pep-talk. She made me take a few deep breaths, and remonstrated that I didn't want this to be a miserable occasion, did I? I hugged her, but I still didn't feel much better. I was still praying for help with my stubbornly miserable heart as I walked outside. I'd been informed that my grandparents had already left- Grandpa wasn't feeling well. I felt miserable as all eyes fell upon me. (Why in Hell were they even smiling!?) I felt like my Tux was too hastily applied. I felt like I looked terrible. I certainly didn't want any photos!

They were in such a hurry to start that the music immediately began after I got up front. My Best Man was still indisposed. I had to motion frantically for them to cut the music, and the look on my face must have been murderous, from the look I got in reply. In just another minute, Rudy took his place beside me, and I turned to face the back, still trying very hard not to frown as the music started again.

...And suddenly the blessed change came upon me as I saw Pipes, for the very first time, in her wedding dress!

Every bit of anger and frustration fell away from my mind. Pipes' eyes grew more pink and watery as she made her way to my side. An effulgent warmth spread within me, as I took her hand, and we began our vows. ("...And the Grinch's heart grew three sizes that day!...")

And after that, everything was perfect. Or nearly so. The weather even managed to hold, except for some menacing clouds and a few, powerful gusts, until just after everything was over. (Thanks, Heavenly Father!)

The rest became a blur.

You know, I'd completely forgotten about "the Line". Man, you wouldn't think it's such a challenge to stay in one place for so long, and talk to strangers, until you try it. No bathroom breaks, no chance to rehydrate, or partake of the other refreshments, except for a couple of very brief windows. After getting just halfway through the massive procession of people, I found myself running out of witty repartee, and began recycling the same material every fourth or fifth member of Pipes' ginormous family tree. (Her father has a dozen siblings, and then was her mother's family, their family's church congregation, and a seeming quarter of the population of Farmington. I don't mean to sound ungrateful -- it was truly wonderful to meet all of those people -- but it's just a hard thing to stand there and smile at other people when the grandest desire of your heart is to have a quiet moment with your newly-wedded Wife!

Today, I am in a state of near-disbelief as I attempt to encompass my new reality. After all of the intensive preparations of the last few months, it seems an odd thing to actually, finally, be married. And it feels so good to have all of that mess over and done with!

Guest Lists.
Decorations.
Caterers.
Photographs.
A last-minute crisis with my tuxedo, where I basically had to threaten post-marital legal action if Men's Wearhouse didn't make good on their guarantee to fix problems.

It was fun, sometimes funny, sometimes very frustrating, and alllways stressful. But we're so done with the wedding, and so ready to get on with the marriage.

...After we head up to Logan tonight, for our own, private celebration. ;-)

The Newest Member of iTunes Anonymous

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 16:59:08 GMT

or,
Seeking Advice on Music for the Reception

One of my responsibilities for this upcoming wedding (two weeks!) is to come up with a playlist for the reception. At first, I didn't think I would have enough songs, and so I finally decided to venture onto ~~iCrack~~ iTunes.

Wow, this is great! I thought to myself, Each song is only $0.99! Several hundred songs later, I realized just how subtly addictive iTunes' approach is. Worse, now I'm craving an iPod. Something I've thus-far avoided purchasing, as much as I love music. I may have to give in, sometime after the wedding. ;-)

Following my musical binging session, I suddenly realized that I had at least thirteen hours' worth of music, and needed to whittle my playlist down into something more apropos for three hours. This is where you guys come in: I want your thoughts on which songs I should and shouldn't keep. (The ones currently "kept" are bolded in the below list) And if you think there's a good song I'm missing, please share that too.

We want people to enjoy themselves, to maybe dance, and not feel mired down in pure sweetness. (If you know what I mean) I've tried to toss in some fast, some slow, some new and old, for a better mix. Take a look at what you think:

(Songs currently on the playlist are highlighted in bold)

I Don't Want to Miss a Thing	Aerosmith
Sweet Emotion	Aerosmith
Remember When	Alan Jackson
Black Velvet	Alannah Myles
The Luckiest	Ana Guigui
Wishin' and Hopin'	Ani Difranco	This was in the title scene of "My Best Friend's Wedding"
"O mio babbino caro" from Gianni Schicchi	Anna Netrebko
You Needed Me	Anne MurrayT
Love Shack	The B-52's
When I See You Smile	Bad English
Walk Like an Egyptian	The Bangles
Eternal Flame	The Bangles
If I had a Million Dollars	Barenaked Ladies
Baby I Love Your Way	The Beat Club
Stand by Me	Ben E. King	We have some old classics tossed in with the new, for a good mix
The Luckiest	Ben Folds	This is "our song". We danced to it shortly after we began dating.
Come On	Ben Jelen
Take My Breath Away	Berlin
Rush (original)	Big Audio Dynamite
Ain't No Sunshine	Bill Withers	I tried out several versions, but you can't beat the original
Lean On Me	Bill Withers
Kiss the Rain	Billie Myers
Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel)	Billy Joel
She's Got a Way	Billy Joel
The Longest Time	Billy Joel
Don't Forget to Breathe	Bitter:Sweet	This and "The Mating Game" are this obscure band's two best songs
Me Neither	Brad Paisley	One of the more funny songs you'll ever hear
Hands to Heaven	Breathe
Piano in the Dark	Brenda Russel
Love You Madly	Cake
Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring	Celtic Woman	This version will make you cry
The Devil Went Down to Georgia	The Charlie Daniels Band
WIth You	Chris Brown
The Lady in Red	Chris de Burgh	Urp! This one came out the year Pipes was born.
In My Place	Coldplay
The Scientist	Coldplay
I Won't Be Lonely	Colors	Another obscure band... but a very good song
Joey	Concrete Blonde
Lovesong	The Cure
High Enough	Damn Yankees
Don't Hold Back Your Love	Hall & Oates
The Time of my Life	David Cook
Once Upon a December	Deana Carter	A song which Pipes has long loved
I Will Follow You into the Dark	Death Cab for Cutie
Have You Ever Needed Someone So Bad	Def Leppard
Hysteria	Def Leppard
Miss You in a Heartbeat (acoustic version)	Def Leppard
Pour Some Sugar on Me	Def Leppard
Two Steps Behind	Def Leppard
Precious	Depeche Mode
Somebody	Depeche Mode
Endless Love	Diana Ross & Lionel Richie
All She Wants To Do is Dance	Don Henley
I Love You Always Forever	Donna Lewis
At the Beginning	Donna Lewis & Richard Marx
Mercy	Duffy	We found this one before it started hitting the charts... it's both old and new in one
Out of my Mind	Duran Duran
Hotel California	The Eagles
Can't Help Falling in Love	Elvis Presley
Return to Innocence	Enigma
At Last	Etta James
More Than Words	Extreme
Love of a Lifetime	Firehouse
I Only Have Eyes for You	The Flamingos
Heart and Soul	Forever Plaid
Where'd You Go	Fort Minor
Doot-Doot	Freur
Killing Me Softly With His Song	Fugees
Kissing a Fool	George Michael
One More Try	George Michael
Waiting For That Day	George Michael
Don't Let the Sun Down On Me	George Michael & Elton John
Man Smart (Woman Smarter)	Harry Belafonte
These Dreams	Heart
I Loved Her First	Heartland	This is the song Pipes wants to dance with her Daddy to
Hold My Hand	Hootie & the Blowfish
Candy	Iggy Pop & Kate Pierson
Hide and Seek	Imogen Heap
The Way I Am	Ingrid Michaelson
Beautiful Girl	INXS
Never Tear Us Apart	INXS
New Sensation	INXS
The Strangest Party (These Are the Times)	INXS
What You Need	INXS
High	James Blunt
You're Beautiful	James Blunt
I Got You (I Feel Good)	James Brown
Escapade	Janet Jackson
Intuition	Jewel
Up Where We Belong	Joe Cocker & Jennifer Warnes
Daughters	John Mayer
Say	John Mayer
Don't Stop Believin;	Journey
Faithfully	Journey
Open Arms	Journey
When You Love a Woman	Journey
I Know	Jude	I found this on the "City of Angels" soundtrack... its' just good vocals
Do You	Katie Thompson
Black Horse and the Cherry Tree	KT Tunstall
American Woman	Lenny Kravitz
I'll be Waiting	Lenny Kravitz
Stand By My Woman	Lenny Kravitz
Cinderella	Lionell Richie
Say You, Say Me	Lionell Richie
Forever May Not Be Long Enough	Live	From the soundtrack to "The Scorpion King"
Love Shines (A Song for my Daughters about God)	Live
T.B.D.	Live	I just love the way this song sounds
Extraordinary	Liz Phair
Amazed	Lonestar
Let Them Be Little	Lonestar	This one is for Sunshine and Shade
Love Somebody Like You	Lonestar
My Front Porch Lookin' In	Lonestar	An awesome song for any father
I Need Love	Luka Bloom
She's Like the Wind	Lumidee	I actually like this version better than Patrick Swayze's original
4 Minutes (ft. Justin Timberlake and Timbaland)	Madonna	This would have been to drop some fast stuff in... And, this song just rocks
Crazy for You	Madonna
Rain	Madonna
Moonlight Sonata (on guitar)	Mark Bodino
This Love	Maroon 5
In My Daughter's Eyes	Martina McBride	This is the theme song for Pipes and her Mom
When You Love Me	Martina McBride
Teardrop	Massive Attack	This song (minus vocals) was converted into the theme song for "House, M.D."
Moonlight Sonata	Marizio Pollini
Feeling Good	Michael Bublé
Home	Michael Bublé	This is from "The Wedding Date" soundtrack, and is just well-sung
Canon in D	Michael Soloway
Baby, I Love Your Way	MIG & Peter Frampton
The Living Years	Mike + The Mechanics
Unforgettable	Nat King Cole & Natalie Cole
When I Fall in Love	Nat King Cole
Pocketful of Sunshine	Natasha Bedingfield
Unwritten	Natasha Bedingfield
Say It Right	Nelly Furtado
I've Got to See You Again	Norah Jones
The Nearness of You	Norah Jones
I'd Die Without You	P.M. Dawn
Wave on Wave	Pat Green
Earth Angel (Will You Be Mine)	The Penguins
When a Man Loves a Woman	Percy Sledge
In Your Eyes	Peter Gabriel
A Groovy Kind of Love	Phil Collins
Can't Stop Loving You	Phil Collins
Strangers Like Me	Phil Collins
You Can't Hurry Love	Phil Collins
Smoke Gets In Your Eyes	The Platters
Standing Outside a Broken Phone Booth with Money in my Hand	Primitive Radio Gods
Bohemian Rhapsody	Queen	You know this song rocks. Yes, it really does.
Somebody to Love	Queen
Bless the Broken Road	Rascal Flatts	I really wanna see if I can work this one back into the mix. It's so apropos to my situation!
Right Here Waiting	Richard Marx
Unchained Melody	Righteous Brothers
Oh, Pretty Woman	Roy Orbison
Angel	Sarah McLachlan
I Love You	Sarah McLachlan
Ice Cream	Sarah McLachlan
The Rainbow Connection	Sarah McLachlan
I Knew I Loved You	Savage Garden
Truly Madly Deeply	Savage Garden
Crazy	Seal	I have always loved this song... especially the drum solo
Don't Cry	Seal
Kiss From a Rose	Seal
Still Holding Out for You	SheDAISY
Always On Your Side	Sheryl Crow & Sting
The Power	Snap!
6 Underground (Nellee Hooper Edit)	Sneaker Pimps
True	Spandau Ballet
Desert Rose	Sting
Fields of Gold	Sting
If I Ever Lose My Faith In You	Sting
We'll Be Together	Sting
Why Should I Cry For You?	Sting
My Girl (stereo version)	The Temptations
Don't Take the Girl	Tim McGraw
Live Like You Were Dying	Tim McGraw
Here Comes My Girl	Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers
Love is a Long Road	Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers
Battle Without Honor or Humanity	Tomoyasu Hotei
Baby Can I Hold You	Tracy Chapman
Open Arms	Tracy Chapman
The Promise	Tracy Chapman	This is my personal favorite of all songs
Speak the World	Tracy Chapman
Wedding Song	Tracy Chapman
All I Want is You	U2
If God WIll Send His Angels	U2
Yeah!	Usher (ft. Lil' Jon & Ludacris)
The Dance	Garth Brooks	Having some trouble acquiring this... so it's not in
Unanswered Prayers	Garth Brooks	Ditto. iTunes and Garth Brooks apparently aren't friends.
Heaven	Warrant
Always on my Mind	Willie Nelson
The Rainbow Connection	Willie Nelson

The process of making our wedding playlist has been so fun that I've begun work on Halloween and Christmas playlists, as well as picking up numerous other songs for everyday use. (I have about nine hours' worth on each of those playlists now)

Like I said... addictive.

Please, give me your thoughts!

Rays from the East

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 17:27:36 GMT

I was driving home from work yesterday, after dropping a coworker off, and just had to pull over to get this shot with my crappy Razr-cam.

Incidentally, I ended up taking it from the parking lot of East High School, where they filmed "High School Musical". (I don't like the movie enough to even watch it more than the trailer but trivia never hurts)

First comes Love, Then comes Marriage...

Sat, 12 Jul 2008 22:30:51 GMT

Well, I owe an apology to all of you who attend my blog... I've been so inattentive to posting in the past weeks. Like they say, the amount of one's posting about life can sometimes be inversely proportional to how busy one's life has become. I can only offer one excuse: I'm getting married on August 9th.

I took Pipes' parents to dinner about five weeks ago, and asked for their blessing. It wasn't the least awkward of situations, since we had been living together for a year by then, and her family is very strongly Mormon. However, they were very graceful in their support. If anything, they seemed impressed that I would approach the matter in so head-on a fashion. Since then, it has been a whirlwind of preparation, so that we can have the wedding before Pipes' brother leaves on a mission. (He is a very important person in her life, and will in fact be a groomsman at the wedding, taking the place which might otherwise have been occupied by her Maid of Honor.)

Random preparations: We have the rings picked out, with photos to come later if I can get some decent ones. We took photos with Sunshine and Shade at Memory Grove a few days ago. Tuxedos. Wedding dress. Yadda-yadda. The colors are deep orange (of the near burnt variety... some call the color "cognac"), gold and an emerald green. The motif for the wedding and reception will be Japanese, complete with kokeshi dolls on the tables, lanterns crossing from tree to tree, and other nice touches.

It'll be a garden ceremony and reception, at her parents' place. And yes, we'll be outdoors in the August heat. One boon will be that Pipes' parents' place is on the side of a mountain. Another is that it's not too far-removed from the Salt Lake. And third, they're having a waterfall put in where the ceremony is to be held. But still, I am acquiring one of these so that I can survive the heat intact, beneath my tuxedo.

So! I plan to provide more updates in the near future, now that I've adjusted to the dull roar of life's current tempo.

In the mean-time, if you would like an invitation then please comment with your real-life names and addresses below.... I've turned on screening, so that none of you (but yourselves, and myself) will be able to see each others' comments. And, if at all possible, please specify whether you'd like the invitation simply for fun, or because there is a chance you might actually be able to attend. My future Mother-in-Law is attempting to tally the body-count right now, and really wants me to get a solid list of friends who would like to come.

Thanks in advance, my friends! Please accept my apology for my dysjournaling. ;-)

Xbox 360 - 120GB Hard Drive

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 19:26:08 GMT

My Xbox 360's 120Gb hard drive just came... I managed to get it, somewhat more cheaply, from Gateway's online store. The data is transferring over from the older, 20Gb drive now. Woo!

This means I'll be able to drop some CDs on the drive, and provide my own soundtrack for my games. It means I'll be able to store some digigal photos for display at my whim. And it means I can download more games or movies (feature films) from Xbox Live to play, if I so desire.

I'm excited. =)

Today's Challenge

Tue, 27 May 2008 15:53:43 GMT

Grits and Chai, breakfast of champions.

Today, Pipes and I are going through our clothes. Her intent is to make space, removing the ones we don't wear enough. She also wants to get rid of [most of] the ones I still have around from when I was in high school.

And then, we have a new dresser from Ikea to put together. I'm slightly excited about that part. (Funny how, once you reach adulthood, obtaining a blender or vacum cleaner is reason to rejoice)

I'm a natural pack-rat. I don't give some things up easily.

TY!

Sat, 24 May 2008 15:12:19 GMT

Thank you all for your suggestions... We're mulling over the options. I'll make more personalized replies when I'm not nearly comatose.

And, even if we don't use one idea now, we may use it later.

Man... Tahiti seems awesome.

Indiiiiiiieee!!!

Thu, 22 May 2008 12:41:42 GMT

I'm excited, but slightly nervous, about the new Indiana Jones movie. Many reporters are sharing their worries that all of the secrecy around the new movie is intended to cover up its, well, suckiness. And that would be a horrific way to end the series, after a run of three absolutely wonderful Indiana Jones movies. (Well, #2, Temple of Doom, was a little cheesy, but it got a pass)

Star Wars ROCKED... until Lucas came out with the first three episodes, bajillions of years later. Okay.. Episode III was cool, if you built up a tolerance for the angsty interpersonal stuff between Anakin and, well, everybody. (The presentation almost made you relieved when Anakin finally became Vader) A new animated film is coming out about the Clone Wars, but I'm not expecting it to blow my skirt up much. (That's a metaphor, guys)

Star Trek had awesome episodes in II, III, and IV... which meant the other three or four movies were really not all that worth writing home about. And only Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan remains as the Great Tribute to Roddenberry... They have a new Trek movie coming out in awhile, with a new "original" crew to replace Kirk, Spock, McCoy, Scottie and others. (Since half of the old crew are now buried, their katras committed to celluloid) I'm somewhat anxious to see if they do a decent job with this movie, too. Because, if they don't, that could be the end of Trek in all but the most devoted Trekkers. (We're not "Trekkies", dangit!!!)

Aliens... don't even take me there. Alien (the first) and Aliens (the second) were amazing achievements for both their directors. (Ridley Scott and James Cameron) Both movies have flavored countless video-games, books and movies in our culture. But Aliens³ and Alien Resurrection (YOU WISH!) weren't even laughable; they hurt to watch. Most of us geeks pretend they never existed... like the children our six-fingered cousins had, and kept under the stairs.

(::: Suddenly looks around::: "What!? You never had weird relatives before???")

Okay, Aliens vs. Predator (AvP1) was decent. But I hear Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (AvP2) is just, well... maybe we ought to pretend it doesn't exist either?

My point? Most of the series which we geeks lavish such acclaim upon -- which some of us cosplay for, go to conventions for, and fawn upon the hands, autographs and former props, and lookalike toys of our beloved, role-locked (I forget the term for that right now) actors -- Most of these series, are hit and miss at best.

I wonder why Indiana Jones doesn't have as devoted a following as Star Trek and Star Wars?

Consumer Rights: FUBAR'ed by GameStop

Thu, 22 May 2008 11:41:50 GMT

How many of you acquired the game, Army of Two?

Well, last January, GameStop.com was offering a special deal: buy Army of Two from their website, and you would get, as a special bonus, a code to unlock two extra weapons which had been decided upon by the Army of Two fan community.

Wow! That sounds like a pretty cool deal. Why buy the game from Circuit City or Wal-Mart, when you can get TWO EXTRA WEAPONS from GameStop?

Well, it turned out too good to be true. When hundreds or thousands of us got the game, opened the packaging (thus violating GameStop's return policy), put the disc into our Xbox 360s and entered the code? We got one weapon.

::: Holds up some fingers in GameStop's direction:::
Not two weapons... ONE WEAPON.

Well, that was weird... , I thought. So I called up GameStop.

Oh, don't worry about it, they told me, We know all about this problem. We've had TONS of calls about this. Give us your e-mail address and we'll update you as soon as we get this straightened out.

Weeks go by. Nothing happens. I call GameStop back. Suddenly, it isn't their problem at all. They get very friendly with me. You know... I am in exactly the same boat you are. I was REALLY PISSED that EA GAMES did this to BOTH OF US, so I called them up and gave them a piece of my mind. Man, do I feel your pain.

Uh-huh. Well, GameStop, you guys sold me the defective merchandise. You made this special offer. I want a refund.

They absolutely refused. Especially, because I opened the packaging on my game. Wait a minute... I had to open the frakking packaging in order to find out the product was defective!!!

Because GameStop hasn't been helpful, I have taken the matter to the Better Business Bureau of Fort Worth... where GameStop/EBgames HQ is, and where the GameStop.com and EBgames.com websites are run.

Thus far, they are refusing to take responsibility on the matter.

In fact, they have altered the details of my order so that it now only says "Army of Two", instead of "Army of Two with Bonus!" on it. Sneaky. But I have e-mails and other evidence to prove it wasn't always so. I've submitted this to the BBB, and I can use it as evidence otherwise.

But here's the thing. My father is an attorney, and told me a neat little fact: because GameStop/EBgames is conducting business over the Internet, they are essentially doing business in each of our home-states. Which means, each one of us could file in small-claims court, in our home states, and GameStop would either have to have someone come to represent them in the local court, or allow the action to default against them. I assure you.. it would cost far too much for GameStop to hire an attorney to represent them over a game that costs $60. (plus shipping & handling)

But now I'm wondering something.... Just how many customers got shystered by GameStop/EBgames? Hundreds? Thousands? Would this be worth filing a class-action suit over?

How many of you bought Army of Two from GameStop, based upon this special offer?

(cross-posted to multiple locations)