Howdy ya’ll, pardon my long absence from updates on my site. I’m now back and home and back online ready to let you all know about my fantastic life and the goings ons involved! I know you’ve been on the edge of your seats waiting! And here it is!

The biggest news is I touched it. I held it. I almost took some pictures with it. While in Salem we stopped in a Best Buy and they had the elusive Canon 5D II on display. I giggled like a school girl. It was awesome! They had a lens on there that I have and I could see a huge difference on the wide angle side of things. My 17mm lens truly would be Ultra-Wide now (as it’s labeled). I figured out how to turn on the 1080P HD Video Capture and it looked gorgeous on the screen. Sadly, I didn’t have any CF Cards with me to shoot some video for fun, and I never made it back to try it. Our romance was so short lived…..

In other news - Portland had the biggest storm in 40 years hit and pounded the state with snow. Everything closed. I spent the majority of my time there indoors with the Packs watching TV and being entertained by their cute little girl Ainsleigh. It was a nice vacation, just a little boring at times. The wedding at the Portland Temple went great though, the weather was very cooperative that one day and the pictures are turning out awesome. Congratulations to Andrea and Danny!

Coming home on the 24th turned out to go pretty smooth, despite all the cancelled flights from the previous days. I woke up at 3am to head to the airport and made it there by 4. I went inside to check my bag and after walking to Los Angeles I found the end of the line. Forget that! I remembered seeing a small huddled mass of freezing travelers outside at the quick-check-in and decided to give that line a try. It had just opened at 4 so the line was short - although it still took about 45 minutes. From there it was a quick 5 minutes through security (TSA was doing awesome!) and I actually had time to hang out at my gate for about 30 minutes before boarding. The flight was smooth and quick and I was home by 10am.

Christmas was fun, I got a nice pair of Black Diamond Liner Gloves to drive with, and 2 boxes of 9mm Ammo from my brother. Oh, and a ride on a zipline!

The big family present is a Cruise to the Western Caribbean in February. One of the stops is the Cruise Lines’ beach in Haiti and there is a loooong zip line there. My parents reserved all of us a ride! I’m so excited. With all the crappy weather we’ve been through this nice tropical oasis will be very nice. Very nice indeed!

And that brings me to today! Nothing exciting going on. That’s my update! I missed all my friends and I’m excited to hang out with them soon. Congrats to Ryan and Tamara on the discovery on their new daughter Sienna. And by discovery I mean they now know the baby is a girl; not that they just had a baby out of nowhere.

Greetings from Portland! I’m up visiting my friend Brody and his family, and then on the 23rd I’ll be photographing a wedding. So far it’s been a very snowy trip. I left about 6:40am Thursday morning for my 8:30 flight from the airport. Usually it takes about 35 minutes to get to the airport. I finally got there at 8:00; talk about cutting it close! I checked in my duffel bag (late) and then went over to the security where I was hustled over to the Expert lane where no one was in line and made it through in about 2 minutes. Nice! There was probably a 15 minute wait in the normal line.

From there I ran allll the way to the Southwest Gates and boarded the plane with time to spare. And to top it off my duffel bag made it on the plane too! It was a good flight, and I landed in a snowy Portland.

On our way home Karee stopped at Deseret Book and I bought some presents; TAX FREE! It was odd, but nice. I’ll have to try and get more shopping taken care of!

That’s it for now, haven’t done much other than stay in the house. It snowed again last night, but the main worry is iced over roads, that seems to be all the rage in a NW winter.

Some called it the White Bible. I called it “Shiroi Tebiki”. Well, I found it in a box a few weeks ago, and have since used it twice. We needed to consecrate some oil the other day for a blessing and wanted to double check the correct procedure on it. I had put the White Handbook in my desk for future reference so I knew right where it was.

I’ll be double checking in it again on Monday. My Uncle Steve passed away this week and my dad just asked me to be the one to Dedicate his Grave.

“Why me?”, I asked.

“Because Scott is giving a prayer, Kurt is giving a prayer…” dad replied.

“And what are you doing?” I asked back.

“Watching.”

And there you have it. I’m generally not scared of having to do things like this, and this case is no different it just came across as a bit of a surprise. And the first thing I did was make sure my little white handbook was around for checking on the correct way to do it.

Uncle Steve was my dads younger brother, probably 58 or 59 years old. I don’t even know what he did for work but he had a good career, a nice little house on the East Bench of Salt Lake not far from where he grew up. A cute wife and a few dogs finished up the family. No kids. I mainly saw him at the usual Family get-togethers and he was always fun for a conversation, so we weren’t that close. I will miss him though.

Well, I just finished reading a few ‘update’ blogs from friends, it seems like we all don’t have much to say lately so it’s just a good time to chime in on life in general. Well, here’s my chime!

Smith’s is growing on me; I’m getting to know my co-workers and my legs are no longer ready to detach from my body after 8 hours of standing. My first night was murder on my legs, but now I’m good to go. I get about 30 hours a week and paid every Friday. I like getting paid every week. I also learned that after 6 months I’m eligible for benefits and are only required to work 25 hours/week to get them! That’s a total bonus as hopefully by then I’ll have worked up my photography enough to round off my income with that work while Smith’s pays for fun and insurance. Here’s to hoping!

Let’s see, what else? My friend Daniel Beck released his CD and did a release concert; it was amazing. His voice is sooo beautiful! Well done Dan!

I’ve gotten hooked on some games on my iPhone finally, and they’re pretty dang fun! I enjoy the Apple version of Texas Hold ‘Em poker, every few games I actually win. And yesterday I bought a game called Fieldrunners that’s violently awesome. Basically, you own a field and there is an ‘enemy’ relentlessly trying to cross your field. You can install tower guns, slow-down goop, missiles and a tazer tower to kill off the driving forces. They come in small people, big people, motorcycles, tanks, helicopters and I even got a robot once! If you let 20 enemy past you you get defeated. It’s actually pretty fun! So, if you have an iPod Touch or an iPhone I totally recommend it, and at $4.99 it’s not that big of a spend.

No, I wasn’t paid for that endorsement.

Canon released the 5D into the wild… and I am soooo envious! I want it I want it! However, I think my next major purchase will be a new lens. It’ll come in at less than half the price of the 5D (so $1200) but I’ll enjoy it almost as much. The 5D can come after that when it’s either a better deal used or just more easily gettable. Wow, my spellcheck didn’t try to correct that - gettable. It’s a word? Awesome! Learn something new every day.

Let’s see. I guess I’m heading off to Portland in a few more weeks, hard to believe it’s almost time to go! I’ll be gone the 18-24. Yep, Christmas Eve. But I’ll be home by like 10am so it’s no big deal. And, end scene.

Have you seen Minority Report? Iron Man? Love the cool hand-interaction computers they use? Well… it’s not far away. Actually, it’s already here.

So, yesterday I mentioned that I feel like I live at Smith’s. I haven’t even been home 12 hours yet and I’m getting ready to head back for another long day. I really don’t mind the work, it’s fun to meet lots of people and have co-workers again, but I don’t like the random shifts and only knowing my work schedule barely 3 days in advance. So… maybe this plan for a non-techy job is kinda backfiring on me.

Yesterday I was watching CNN on my break at work (it’s on the TV’s in the Deli) and they showed a poll they did recently: Do you have confidence in either President Bush or President-Elect Obama in fixing the economy? The numbers were ridiculous - 12% said yes. TWELVE. Now, here’s my take. President Bush is responsible in part for spending a lot of money; however I really don’t hold him responsible for the ‘crisis’ that we are in. That was put into motion years ago by congressmen out to make the world fair, where everyone can buy anything - you just need to slacken your standards. But, this has been beaten to death.

The ‘Crisis of the Month’ now is Detriot. They’re broke and almost broken. And NO ONE in the media or politics is pointing the blame at the right place - the United Auto Workers Union. They’ve been crippling the industry for decades. The Big 3 have no money because everything they earn goes towards paying past employees long retired and barely holding on to current employees. Even if there is no work for a current employee to do, they’re not allowed to lay them off so they pay them even if they don’t go in for a shift! And guess who’s right at the front asking for $25 billion? The UAW President. He won’t bend one inch to lessen the benefits of the workforce, rather he’d prefer they kept they’re overpaid, over-benefits jobs and let us, the taxpayers, fund that lifestyle.

And sadly, no one can lash out towards them because of the backlash that would happen. Unions are so intertwined in any major industry that you have to keep silent - the businesses are held captive by the Unions. Gas is back to levels we haven’t seen since 2000 and yet the airlines still can’t make a dime. Lately they said it was high gas prices and we bought into it; but now what’s the problem? One word - Unions. Southwest doesn’t have a Union and they’re doing just fine.

So, back to the poll, am I part of the 12% that believes politicians are going to fix the economy? Nope, not with the fixes they keep suggesting. As one wise Senator has said, giving Detroit $25 billion only delays the inevitable 6 months. Oh, and if I recall correctly, guess where most of that $25 billion is asked to go - Unemployment and benefits. What a joke.

The new Smith’s opened up last week, and I swear I’ve been living there. Not sure how I feel about these 8 hour workdays! It’s starting to remind me of Heritage where I’d wake up, go to work for 8 hours, come home and complain about work with fellow co-workers, go to bed and then repeat. Only I don’t really complain this time, but it sure does eat up your day. At least the shifts I’ve been getting. Yesterday was 1pm - 9pm. Today is 12pm - 8pm. Those are pretty crappy. But it’s fun for the most part. Just lots of standing.

Past that I don’t have too much news to talk about. My brother Kurt just bought a killer 1975 AMC Gremlin, a totally rad car. My new passport arrived yesterday which is cool, but they don’t send back your old one. I wanted to keep it! But the Post Office made me send it in. Goobers. The ‘Cruiser runs like a champ, I like having it around. I have quite an itch to go camping but so far haven’t convinced anyone to go yet except Hans. Rock on Hans! Next Tuesday my friend Dan Beck is doing a CD release concert. I built his website for him and he called me yesterday asking if I’d like some tickets. I said sure. He said ‘Okay, there will be 2 at will-call for you’. That’s kinda neat. Now I just need to find #2.

So that’s that. Nothing too exciting going on. I’ve rung up more food than I thought possible to sell, I can’t believe the store has anything left. And I can’t believe people have any money left. We sold a lot of groceries opening week. I’m back to talking about Smith’s if you couldn’t tell. Weekly payday’s will be nice…

The elections are over. Obama won. He spent $600 MILLION dollars to get your vote. Well, the votes of those of you who voted for him. To those of you who seriously investigated the candidates and made the best choice for your life I respect you.

To the half if not majority of you that bought into a few catch phrases (Yes We Can! Hope! Change! I’m not Bush!) because he made you feel good or because he’s not a Republican, you make me sick. Sorry to be blunt, but you really do.

The future of this nation lies on the shoulders of each President elected and we, the people, have the right and duty to elect in the person we believe can best direct this country through the times and seasons of the world. To buy into the hype and celebration, the pomp and circumstance without any serious thought or research is as much of an epidemic plague to this country as promiscuity and the utter collapse of the family. In case you’re wondering, YouTube does NOT count. Viral videos and e-mails do NOT count. Most of the media barely counts.

Did you know where the candidates stood on issues? Abortion? Gay Marriage? What kind of Judges will they appoint? What is the core of their economic plan? Is pulling out of Iraq victory or defeat? Do we really need a strong military? Who are their close friends and associations? What is their history? What is their experience? What are the policies that they try to keep hush?

To the faithful Obama supporters, let me help you out. Barrack is Pro-Abortion even if the baby is undoubtedly alive. He sees un-planned babies as a mistake. Babies are never a mistake, the timing is and that is always in our control. Barrack is Pro Gay Marriage. Barrack will pick liberal judges that rule from the bench as opposed to interpreting the laws. The core of his economic plan is wealth redistribution and higher taxes to the people that actually make this economy run. Barrack wants to leave Iraq and wave the white flag, he wants to abandon a nation pre-maturely and just hope it survives. Sounds a lot like abortion doesn’t it? Barrack wants to cut Military funding deeply - he doesn’t think our soldiers deserve the best equipment and protection no matter what he says. Actions speak louder than words. Barrack has several known associations and close friendships with terrorists, racists and anti-Americans. Barrack has a history of being the most liberal senator in congress, and never having the courage to really vote on anything that mattered; rather he just chose to vote present. Barrack has no real leadership experience, and hardly any in Washington. Did you know he plans to raise energy prices substantially to promote a green earth agenda? Did you know he plans to eliminate our Coal Plants despite the fact they power 50% of this country?

Is this really the kind of person you want in the most powerful job on the planet? Really? Too late now. I’ve never been scared for the future. On my mission I had a very strong experience with this scripture. “Behold and lo, mine eyes are upon you, and the heavens and the earth are in mine hands, and the riches of eternity are mine to give.” I realized that God is aware and in control of everything; nothing surprises Him or catches Him off guard. He has a plan, and it’s perfect. I also know that my obedience to that plan will guarantee my safe passage through this life no matter what politicians and they who do evil try to do to thwart that. In this I have no doubt.

However, I’m scared. I believe Barrack is going to be a pushover in foreign policy. Anyone that thinks the Military needs deep spending cuts has no idea of the importance of a strong national defense, nor the enemies that are constantly striving to destroy us. As he puts our Military to sleep, do you really think the terrorists are just going to back off because they like Barrack? Are you kidding me? Do you know why they support him so much? Haven’t you found it odd that the disgusting evil dictators of the world on whom peace barely, if at all exists, are so excited to have him in office? America is an enemy to them forever and always, and if we are a weaker opponent then they will just bubble over with joy.

Well, they’re bubbling now.

I am scared one day that I’m going to turn on the news and hear of a roadside bomb in New York City, or a city bus being blown up by a suicide bomber in Los Angeles. How can you not take any contentment that despite some of President Bushs’ failures he’s kept you safe? Is that not worth anything to you? We haven’t been attacked since September 11, 2001. England has been attacked. Spain was attacked as well. Countless smaller, less powerful countries were attacked. Yet, we weren’t. I forever salute President Bush’s unfailing resolve to keep me safe. The economy can recover with the right policies, I can bite my lip on gas prices, but I can’t thank him enough for keeping me safe. Sadly, this country has chosen to have a little more money in their pocket (or at least have been lulled into thinking they will) than safety. We all understand home field advantage in sports, but I promise you it’s entirely different in battle. Home field advantage is not having the bad guy on your turf. Wouldn’t you rather have our incredible troops fighting terrorists where they live and breed and teach their hate? Wouldn’t you rather root them out at the source? Iraq is filled with terrorists. Seeing as we all seem to agree with the War on Terror, does it not make sense that Iraq be a battlefield for it? Does it not make sense to kill them on their own turf and root out their existence? My heart goes out to our Military, I fear for their future. I fear for our safety.

As I said above, I still have absolute faith in God and in His plan. However, in reference to this land, this piece of earth where Freedom reigns supreme, He said several, several times: “Inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments ye shall prosper in the land; and inasmuch as ye will not keep my commandments ye shall be cut off from my presence.” Are we, as the most blessed nation in the world, no longer keeping his commandments? Are we seeking to do away with God and His prosperous hand in our country?

In 1995 the LDS Church First Presidency released the Proclamation on the Family. In it, it states that “marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children … The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity.”

May I remind you that as of this writing 1995 was 13 years ago. Well before gay marriage ever showed up on the national radar. And here we are now, as a nation, debating on what a family really is and who can be married. To me, the answer is simple. The answer is a commandment from God. Now we, as a nation, are debating on whether we should obey this commandment. One step closer to being cut off from His presence.

If you’re LDS this applies to you very seriously and those of you wishing to alter this definition are treading in stormy waters. You have made a covenant to follow the Prophet and accept his word as the Word of God as though spoken from His own mouth. Is that really something you want to go against? I know I’m not perfect in obedience, far from. But I’m trying. If you’re not willing to try and align yourselves - watch out. Deception follows quickly. There are not many circumstances worse than deception; it’s hard to change direction when you think you’re going the right way.

As a word of warning, the Proclamation states “…that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.” We are arguing today on this very principle, and those who kick against are fighting for the disintegration of the family pure and simple. Do you really want to be on that side?

If ever there was a time to know of God’s Will and what we are to do it’s now. If ever there was a time to have direction from Him on choices we need to make both personally and nationally it’s now.

It’s time to get on your knees. A lot. It’s time to obey the commandments. It’s time to rise above the mock and scorn of the world and stand up for truth. Do not be ashamed of the fruit (1 Ne 8:25, 28). It’s time to be faithful to God and throw away any personal disagreements. You’ll lose every time. God’s team wins when all is said and done, wouldn’t you like to be wearing His jersey?

Which team are you on?

More dirt that’s been uncovered. I’ll withhold the commentary, you can decide for yourself.

I’ll make energy prices skyrocket

I’ll bankrupt any new coal plant

His list of questions gets longer and longer and longer.

From: The CEO
To: All Company Employees

As you know, the election for the Presidency is coming up on Tuesday. If indeed Barrack Obama is elected the new President of the United States, and he is successful in implementing his new Tax plan which would increase the taxes that this company pays, please note the following change.

Since higher corporate taxes will mean that we as a company will not be able to retain as many employees as we are currently able (considering that for every $1 million in sales we will have to pay an extra 3%, or $30,000) we will have no choice but to lay off employees.

We have patrolled the parking lot and noted all the Support Obama bumper stickers. In accordance with our new company policy, you who support and vote for Barrack Obama will be the first to be laid off as you support this new re-distribution of wealth policy. Ask and ye shall receive.

~Okay, so that’s not a real letter in a real company, but it might be. It should be. I hope Obama supporters understand that it’s not hard for a small business with just a handful of employees to generate over $250,000 in income. And under Obama’s incredible tax plan they’ll be required to pay more taxes. And subsequently probably have to layoff at least one employee from that small handful. And we all know that higher taxes and fewer jobs help to stimulate the economy.

Don’t buy into the hype, the bias media interpretations or infomercials; buy into the facts. Do the research, do the math, do the right thing. Make sure the ‘change’ you’re voting for is change in the right direction.