I spent 4 hours the other night fixing our new dryer. I had to take it entirely apart. The good thing is, I found the problem and repaired it. It should work for a long time. I figure if I had called an "official" repairman he would have told me that the cost of repairs would be just shy of buying a whole new dryer. In fact, I doubt he would have even fixed what I did.
A major dent in the back of the dryer was putting pressure on the internal drum. The felt seal around the edge of the drum had been shredded and the metal drum was spinning against the metal on the back of the dryer. The rubbing was making an awful sound and it actually cut about a 6 inch long slit through the back of the dryer. It was ugly. I bent the dryer back into form, placed a layer of heat resistant foil tape over the worn metal, replaced the felt seal on the drum and put the whole damn thing back together! My time - 4 hours. My cost - $25 for the new felt seal. The dryer works like new. Thanks Dad for passing down the "fix-it" gene!

The Modern Office Water Cooler

Every time I go into a C-Store, as they are now known, I see lines of people refilling their 32 to 44oz+ cups full of every variety of drink from Lemonade to Mountain Dew. (Guilty as charged!) Why do we do this? Don't we know this causes cancer in laboratory rats? Is this better than the old-school donut and coffee? I say no. The difference is, people only have one donut, maybe 2, and a cup, maybe 2 of coffee. Refill junkies suck on their straws all day long. That can't be good. You see office workers, road warrior salesmen and construction workers lined up to self medicate with the legal poison. The drinking paraphernalia runs the gamut from the custom silver cup with the fancy company logo to the bodacious "Dew-Bucket" that you have to put a seat belt around in order to carry in your car.

Where does it end? Are we going to end up with intravenous bags on our shoulders with a red straw inserted into our arm for the daily fix? I QUIT!! I REALLY QUIT!! I don't want a Mountain Dew Logo on my headstone. And we thought biting our fingernails was a bad habit. I don't think anyone ever died from an overdose of fingernail biting. However I can see the title of a future article in the New England Journal of Medicine, "Refills - The Modern Killer Epidemic."

I just walked around my office. Every desk has some form of refill cup sitting on it.

Not mine. I QUIT!!!

Don Henley

If I could choose to be any rock star it would be Don Henley. The music of the Eagles and Don Henley as a solo artist have been with me since my post mission days in the mid 70's. I only know Don Henley from the perspective of the music he writes, not on any personal basis as I don't make it a habit to read People Magazine on a regular basis. His lifestyle like his music seem to be well-grounded. He's just himself, he doesn't push a particular "persona" as many rock-stars attempt. He doesn't seek a full-time relationship with the limelight, he just walks into it when he performs. He dated Stevie Nicks, nothing wrong with that! He plays the drums, keyboards and the guitar for a living; what a life! He has a fabulous acoustical guitar collection. His songs are true poetry. They set wonderful visual scenes and tell soulful stories of life and love - plus they actually have a melody. One thing I admire is his political activism, albeit he is a Democrat (That's OK, I'm married to one) Unlike most celebrities showing up in a parade in Washington D.C. seeking gratuitous media time to air their political spin, he uses his lyrics to state his cause and opinions. Just look up the lyrics for The End of the Innocence for proof. He has 3 children and his wife has multiple sclerosis; but you wouldn't know that as he flies under the radar with his personal life. Besides, he's thin and looks good in a flannel shirt and Levi's. I rest my case!

Pinch me! He made the team!

I am proud of all my children's accomplish- ments. Here is one that needs publishing. Bryan has finally fulfilled a longtime dream of making the Brigham Young University soccer team. After the huge disappointment of last season he has finally made the team. This is his official picture on the teams website. http://soccer.byu.edu/ Now he just has to go take the starting position. I've always thought he was one of the best goalkeepers I have ever seen, but I'm his Dad. This is true validation of his talent and dedication. The team travels to Fiji in May to play two games with the Fiji national team. He will fly over his brother Brandon in Samoa on his way to Fiji. How cool is that?!

BYU plays in the Western Division of the USL's PDL (Professional Development League) It is essentially professional soccer as BYU does not play NCAA. His coach called him the other day to go work out with REAL SALT LAKE - the MSL team in Utah. One of their keepers was gone for awhile and they need one to take his place. It will be a great opportunity for Bryan to measure his skills against some of the best. You never know, they might just ask him to stay on. After all, he cuts an imposing figure in goal at 6'6" - 210lbs. RSL has a practice field about 500 yards from my office. Guess who will be sneaking over to watch a bit? Keegan, his younger brother, is the back-up keeper for Mountain View High School varsity, the same school Bryan and Brandon played for. He plays full time on the JV team. Not bad for a freshman. It will be a fun soccer season! GO COUG'S! GO BRUINS!

It's your birthday, We gon' party...

Sorry I've had my head in the sand the last few weeks. It's that Birthday thang! Turning 55 has kind of hit me in the face like a wet towel. I won't explain all the reasons but it's been depressing. OK, I'm moving on, the party's over and the cake's gone. Two weeks prior to the big day I got the freakin' flu. It knocked me on my butt, literally. Three weeks later I still don't have my voice or my energy back. I come to work and feel like I could go back to bed and sleep till the next morning. This too shall pass!

I am happy about the warmer days and the snow melting. I am happy about soccer season starting and having players; Keegan at Mountain View and Bryan at BYU. I am happy about Brandon coming home from his mission in Samoa in less than 3 months. I am happy for Natalie graduating from her MBA program at BYU. I am happy for Chris who recently got his contractors license and just keeps movin' on down the right road. I am happy for Cecily who can finally get off blood thinner medication and deal with her shoulder now. I am happy for Hilary who has worked so hard to lose weight and looks great - I'm sure she understands the newly incurred unwelcome butt slaps come with the territory. Frankly, I wouldn't mind an unsolicited butt slap from an admiring female now and then. I am happy about Emily becoming a master model builder and furniture restoration crafts person and her cool hockey-playin' boyfriend Taylor.

I am most happy about Marian's trip to Hong Kong tomorrow for 10 days. She and Hilary are going to visit her brother who lives there and works in the embassy. A trip well earned and deserved. She has been like a kid on her first trip to Disneyland. And by the way Marian, I love your new haircut.

I am happy for the things in other peoples life right now. Not necessarily my own. But that can change. I am part of a cool family who are accomplishing amazing things. I can and will accomplish some amazing things this year. 55 is the new 30 right! HA! I'm older wiser and more efficient in my thinking and processing. I will lose the weight I need to lose. I will finish the 2 books I am writing. I will be successful in my career. I will eventually get an admiring slap on the keester from somebody! That will be a good day because I'm getting sick of the kicks lately.

Carpool lane violation?

I saw a white hearse like this flying down the northbound carpool lane of I-15. Just the driver was in the front seat. I thought the rule was two or more passengers... ummm... even if one is dead? And why was he speeding? Late for the funeral maybe? Because I doubt the boys at the cemetary start shoveling dirt in the hole if the coffin isn't there on time. Dude...!?

It's Been Awhile

It's been awhile since I could hold my head up high
And it's been awhile since I first saw you
And it's been awhile since I could stand on my own two feet again
And it's been awhile since I could call you

And everything I can't remember
As screwed up as it all may seem
The consequences that I've rendered
I've stretched myself beyond my means

And it's been awhile since I can say that I wasn't addicted
And it's been awhile since I can say I love myself as well
And it's been awhile since I've gone and screwed things up just like I always do
And it's been awhile but all that shit seems to disappear when I'm with you

And everything I can't remember
As screwed up as it all may seem
The consequences that I've rendered
I've gone and screwed things up again

Why must I feel this way?
Just make this go away
Just one more peaceful day!

And it's been awhile since I could look at myself straight
And it's been awhile since I said I'm sorry
And it's been awhile since I've seen the way the candle lights your face
And it's been awhile but I can still remember just the way you taste

And everything I can't remember
As screwed up as it all may seem to be
I know it's me
I cannot blame this on my father
He did the best he could for me

And it's been awhile since I could hold my head up high
And it's been awhile since I said I'm sorry


Staind
Break the Cycle
2001
Elektra/Flip