Tagged by Texie!

I've been tagged by Texie Brown.  I normally don't like to talk about myself, but will reluctantly do it if forced.  (total lie, I like nothing more than to talk about myself)

So here it is:

What was I doing 10 years ago?  

McKay was a toddler, Parker Sam was a newborn and we had just moved into our new home.  I think there were just a handful of us in the neighborhood. If our neighborhood was a gorilla troop, I'd like to think I would be the old dominate Silver Back and Michelle would be the loving Queen Mother Gorilla.

Five things on my to-do list today:  (I'm traveling today, so this is a little different than a normal day)

1. Work on our personal taxes.
2. Buy some contact solution.   I left it out in the hotel room today and the cleaning person must have thrown it away (or she is now selling it on the black market)
3. Goal = delete 100 e-mail from my work inbox today. I figure if I delete 100 a day, I will be have my e-mail under control by the fourth of July :(...
4. Return some phone calls for work.
5. Prepare a talk for Sunday.

Six snacks I enjoy

1. PB&J sandwich
2. Chips ahoy! cookies (the crunchy kind)
3. Chocolate Milk
4. Peanut Butter Moo'd from Jamba Juice (1,100 calories of pure goodness)
5. Dried Mango
6. Beef Jerky (peppered, with toothpicks on hand.  Jerky tends to get caught in my teeth)

Three bad habits

1. Working too hard
2. Loving too much
3. Lying about my bad habits

If I were suddenly a billionaire I would...

...First, buy a Kia Sorento.  Second, purchase a years supply of my 6 favorite snacks. Third, build Michelle's dream home. We wouldn't move into it, just visit it a couple times a month, maybe have lunch there, walk around, mow the lawn, then come back to our real home. (sorry shell! :) Fourth, give away the rest.

Five Places I've lived

1. Ogden UT
2. Layton
3. South Africa
4. Fruit Heights
5. Layton (again)

Five Jobs I've had

1. Sorting onions at Green Farms
2. Mowing lawns
3. Weber State University Library (the government documents section; EXCITING!!!)
4. Canyon Office Products
5. Secret Agent; a.k.a. Mr. Smith

Five things people don't know about me

1. No matter how many times I have plucked them, I have 3 hairs that have kept re-growing since I was 18 years old.  Two on my neck (near my Adam's Apple and one on my right shoulder.)  I consider them close friends now.
2. I am actually quite shy, talking people to death is just therapy for it.
3. I have a goal/quest to step foot in each of the 50 states.  I'm taking off tomorrow after work to drive to the Oklahoma border (one state I've never visited).  I'll get out of the car, call Michelle, walk around for a minute, turn around and head back.  PS, I'm in Dallas right now.
4. I like classical music.  Bach is my favorite.
5. I'm fond of Antelope Island.

The Scent of an Island.

“Close your mouth & plug your nose!”  You are now entering the “funk zone” of Antelope Island.  The funk zone occurs just as you enter the causeway and lasts maybe a mile or two beyond.  The majority, although not all of the stench goes away after this initial blast of superfluous foulidity.  It’s too bad that out of the 10,000 different smells we as humans can detect, the island was blessed with one of  worst.  Personally, I would have chosen jasmine, dryer sheets or pina colada if I was making the scent selection.  One of the things that keeps people away from our under appreciated island, it’s the perception that the Island stinks.  The truth of the matter is that it in fact, it does stink.  People with Anosmia (the inability to smell) are more likely to visit and enjoy the island because the funk zone has no impact on them.  On the other hand, they would also not be able to enjoy the handsome taste of a buffalo burger at buffalo point because people with anosmia can’t taste.  Here are some additional highly interesting things about smell to help you appreciate the scent of the island.

• In a 50 yard dash, the olfactory system (smell) can kick the pants off all the other senses; taste, touch, sight & hearing because it has a direct path to the limbic brain (emotion and pleasure center). This limbic system also helps determine basic fight or flight responses.  The other senses must go through the brainstem, hang a right at the thalamus where they wait to be transported by shuttle bus millions of neural networks of the neo cortex specialized for each sense.  These signals are then bounced around again where a flight may be caught to the limbic system where an emotional tag of joy, pleasure or hate is added.
• Imagine the smell of a pungent bowl of chili beans. Can you smell it? Yes? Liar.  Humans have a very difficult time imagining smells.  This is mostly due to the very small portion of the olfactory system in the higher regions of the brain such as the cortex that helps with imagination.
• Women generally have a greater sense of smell than men.  Men generally stink more than women.  Oh, the cruel irony of nature.
• Not all of us can detect all smells. It has been found that if we are not exposed to certain smells during early development, we may permanently lose our ability to decipher that smell.  In addition to baby Einstein, I believe there must be a market for a product such as “Baby Smell a Lot” that will waft thousands of different odors into the baby’s nursery while sleeping with the hope that our brilliant child will have the smelling prowess of 40 hound dogs.
• Seventy five percent of our sense of taste comes from our olfactory (smell) system and just twenty five percent is from our taste buds.  Taste buds are kind of the “quickie” to the eating experience.  As the taste buds just give us a measurement of the presence of sweet, salty, bitter and sour, an intense gustatory experience while eating our favorite pizza would really come from our sense of smell.
• Smells are strong prompters of memory.  The olfactory system has a direct link to the hippocampus whose main function is the storage and sorting of memory.  Any given smell can immediately evoke memories complete with sound, images and emotions.  The smell of Antelope Island brings back memories of catching brine shrimp with Kim Snarr during the summer of my 5^th grade year. Hence, here’s the scent equation for me:  Smell of Antelope Island = Sweet pre-puberty love. 

 

I love the smell of our under appreciated Island.  Visit the island today and smell for yourself!  

Punxsutawney This!

Question:

What does Antelope Island, Valentine Carols,  and Punxsutawney Phil all have in common?

Answer:

Nothing, except for fact that they are all under appreciated aspects of our fickle society.

Extreme Anticipation

So what are you doing February 2nd?  If you are like most citizens you will probably spend the day (Saturday this year) tending after your daily chores and making plans for the evening, totally unaware that one of the most important events of your life is about to take place...

Picture this!  Punxsutawney Phil (we'll call him P-Phil) rises from his toasty den at Gobblers Knob in Pennsylvania.  He is grabbed by a crazy old man (The president of the Groundhog day Inner Circle) wearing a tuxedo and top hat.  A hush draws over the crowd.  Whispering occurs between P-Phil and the top-hatted gentleman.  The language spoken between groundhog and man is Groundhogese, something understood only by the famous groundhog and the Inner Circle president...

...there is a dramatic pause.  We can expect 6 more long weeks of winter if P-Phil saw his shadow.  Conversly, an early spring is promised if the skies are cloudy and now shadow can be seen.  Pray my friends, for a cloudy day.  The top-hatted Inner Circle President then nods his head in agreement as he receives his answer.  An announcement is made, the crowd cheers, the bands play and news reporters rush to get their stories published.  So what's the answer?

Check the news on February 2nd to find out.

Bonus Information

Here are a few semi-interesting facts about groundhog day:

• The tradition of Punxsutawney Phil in Pennsylvania goes back to 1887.  The tradition of groundhog days goes back even further.  Candlemas day has been celebrated for many many years in Europe.  
• The German Immigrants known as the Pennsylvania Dutch (go figure this) first used the badger as the spring barameter.  It is a shame that we changed to the groundhog.  Imagine the media following if Bill Cooper, the president of the "Inner Circle" was required to reach into the burrow and pull out a badger! 
• February 2nd, or Groundhog day lies exactly between Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox.  
• I am unaware of any official colors for Groundhog day.  I propose that the colors be black and yellow.  We wear black if the P-Phil sees his shadow and yellow if there will be an early spring.  
• I am also unaware of any official Groundhog Carols.  Some that I may recommend would be: "Shadow" by Ashlee Simpson, "Oh Groundhog" by Lisa Loeb and "Winter" by Tori Amos.
• I'm not sure about this, but I would imagine the official food of Groundhog day is possum.
• And yes, the official Island for Groundhog day is none other than our own, Antelope Island.

Valentine Carols

This blog is dedicated to Antelope Island and all the other under appreciated things in life.  Something that is under appreciated, just like our island, is Valentine Carols.  Yes, Valentine Carols.  It's not uncommon to hear the first Christmas carols the day after Halloween, and maybe even earlier.    But then the dark, cold days of January and February come.  Luckily we have Valentine carols to keep our spirits bright!  Right?  Wrong!  Valentines Day, as nice as it is, is missing something potentially very special that will get us in the spirit of romantic love right after the new year.  I've taken it upon myself to start a list of potential Valentine Carols.  I'll include the name of the song and a brief reason why it should be considered as a part of the first set of Valentine Carols.

1.  Baby, You're Right, Phil Vassar.  This is a great tune with great lyrics from someone who I believe is one of the most under appreciated country singer and songwriters.  I think Mr. Vassar would really get along with Antelope Island.
   
2. Back at One, Brian McKnight. Can't you just imagine groups of Valentine Carolers going door to door sining this groovy tune from this romantic R&B singer?  This one had to be on the list.
3. Everyday, Phil Collins.  This is an oldie but a goodie.  The essence of Valentines Day just flows from this smooth melody.  "Every day I'll try, to make my heart be still..."  Now that's romance baby!
4. Captain Wedderburn, Great Big Sea.  Google "Captain Wedderburn" to get the story behind this song.  I listen to this over and over because I think the tune is fun and the story is sweet.  
5. Breathe (2 a.m.), Stanford Counterpoint.  I like the a cappella version of this song.   Okay, the song seems to be about a young girl trying to get over her break up from a dreamy boy.  This is not exactly my style but I like the song anyway and it deserves to be a Valentine Carol.
6. Comfort, Deb Talan.  I play this song almost every night when I can't sleep.  Valentines Day is for people in love.  Unfortunately there are too many people out there who are lonely and still looking for love.  This song is dedicated to everyone who dreads holidays like this.  "So cry why not, we all do....when you can't remember a better time, you can have mine... in days to come when your heart feels undone, may you always find an open hand and take comfort where ever you can..."  We all need someone to love and to be loved.  I hope everyone is so fortunate this new year.
7. Low, Flo Rida.  There's nothing that says Happy Valentines Day like the lyrics from this special song:  "Apple bottom jeans with boots with the fur, the whole club was looking at her..."  I rest my case.
8. You and Me, Lifehouse.  Just a good, romantic Valentine Carol, that's all.
9. For Good, from the Broadway play Wicked.  This song is more about relationships than it is romance and Valentines.  But Valentine season is the time to sit back and reflect on the things "For Good" we have received from the people we love.
10. Scolding Wife, Great Big Sea.  Everything about this song screams "Anti-Valentine".  But there needs to be an ugly contrast so we can appreciate the good carols.  (Disclaimer: this song does not reflect my own wife in any way.)
11. Collide, Freshman Fifteen.  Similar to Breathe (2 a.m.), I like the a cappella version of this song too.  This song reminds us that love and relationships aren't perfect, but somehow we seem to make things work.  
12. Grown Man Cry, The Nylons.  I sang this song to my wife in the car on our first date.  I felt that she needed to experience my incredible singing skills right away.  She still married me despite the horrific event.
13. Once in a Lifetime, Talking Heads.  I would be lying if I said I fully understand the lyrics to this song, but I still like it and I challenge anyone to disagree that it deserves to be on the Valentine list; since I'm not sure anyone really understands it enough to disagree.  Make sense?
14. Something That We Do, Clint Black.  We should all sing this as families, from church pews, while caroling, and to each other.  Clint got it right, Love is something that we do.
15. If, Bread.  This 70's love song is very interesting.  Here's how I think it played out:  David Gates, who wrote the lyrics for all soft rock songs by Bread was stone cold sober for the first half of the song (not many other love songs out there with more beautiful words), then as the psychedelic drugs kicked in, the lyrics went a little, well, wacky.  Listen to this song and you'll hear it for yourself.

There you have it.  15 songs to get us started in the tradition of singing Valentine Carols.  A Happy Valentine Season to all, and to all a good night!  

What's in a name?

As the Antelope Islander, people will often stop me on the street and ask me how Antelope Island got it's name.   

Wait, this is not true.

The Truth:  No one has ever cared enough to ask me out how Antelope Island got it's name.  Despite the overwhelming lack of interest on the topic, I'm going to tell you anyway:

John C. Fremont and Kit Carson where the first European explorers of the island.  In 1845 they made the first exploration where they shot two antelopes. After washing down a few juicy antelope t-bones with a Diet Coke, Fremont wrote "in grateful supply of the meat they furnished, I gave their name to the island."  

Voila, Antelope Island!

Naming something is a very important responsibility.  I respect Mr Fremont's decision to name the newly discovered island after a much appreciated meal.  My family recently discovered that we are expecting a new baby. Naming a beautiful baby is almost as big of a responsibility as naming a beautiful island.  Luckily we have the examples of valiant explorers of the past  to help us with these decisions.

  

World, I would like you to introduce you to our beautiful unborn child, Chicken Curry Flitton!

Who are you? & Crystalized Poo!

"Boy, what ever you is

and where ever you is,

don't be what you ain't,

because when you is

what you ain't,

you isn't.

                                   Uncle Remus

     Michael J. Fox makes an observation in his book, "Lucky Man" that often times as an actor, you can sometimes forget who you really are.  Actors are so good at being someone who they aren't, their real personality can sometimes be illusive.

Who are you?

  The rest of us non-actors & actresses could smugly comment how glad we are that what you see is what you get.  In other words, we let our authentic selves come through.  On the contrary, I would propose that to varying degrees, we are all actors; playing the role of someone we are not.

--so here's the tie-in to Antelope Island--

Oolitic sand is a unique feature of the Great Salt Lake.  These round grains of sand are formed when mineral grains, or brine shrimp fecal pellets are coated by concentrated layers of aragonite, a form of calcium carbonate.  (Source - Antelope Island State Park Brochure)  

  

     Sometime we find that we are not who we think we are, not what others think we are, but who we think others think we are.  Make sense?   Over time the thin walls of "unauthenticity" can build around our true character and personality similar to the way aragonite forms around the brine shrimp feces.  Before we know it, we have to ask ourselves, who am I anyway?

     I'll tell you who you are, you're a child of God.  Scientists have estimated that there has been about 69 billion of us on the earth from the beginning to now.  Despite this, each of us are unique in our own way.  Don't be like Oolitic sand, coated by years of pretending we are something we are not.  "Because when you is what you ain't, you isn't."

Big Ox

     Brad was his name and Big Ox was his; well, nickname.  I'm pretty sure Brad didn't like the name Big Ox, but according to ancient unwritten rules, you can't choose your own nickname.  Nicknames were big in the 4th grade.  This is when I knew Brad.  He was in my 4th grade class and he was bigger than most of the 6th graders, thus receiving the name "Big Ox".  "Big Brad" would have been a cool nick name to have, "Big B", "Super B", "Bad Brad", all of these would have been acceptable, even cool too.  But Big Ox represented a big, clumsy oaf.  Now I didn't come up with the name of "Big Ox".  I've always had a pretty soft heart and tried not to participate in bullying of any sort.  In fact, I usually tried to befriend many of the kids who were far from the line of popularity and well within the realm of obscurity.  I remember shooting baskets with Brad during recess when no one else would give him much attention. 

     One day we were having a pretty serious game of football, or tag, or something physical like that when out of nowhere; Bam, I ran right into Brad.  I don't know if it was my fault or his fault, but I obviously took the worst part of the blow and suffered more embarrassment than physical pain.  Before I knew it "Watch what you are doing... Big Ox!"  shot from my mouth.

     I know this wasn't the 1st, 2nd or even the 25th time Brad had been called this, but I can still see the hurt on his face.  "Not you.  No, not you too?" was the look he gave me.  Then the game was over, the moment was gone and I'm now 30 years older.

     I don't know exactly what has happened to Brad.  Rumor has it that he was put into juvenile detention before he finished grade school for shooting, or attempting to shoot his own sister with an arrow.  I remember that his home life was a little less than stable.

     I'm embarrassed to tell this story.  Words can be great tools to build people up or weapons to bring people down.  Unfortunately, we just never know what words are going to stick and which ones will be forgotten.

     Gordon  B. Hinckley made what I think was a pretty profound statement during the Christmas Devotional at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on December 2nd.  "What a wonderful place this world would be if people would treat each other as well as people treat me."  I too have been the fortunate recipient of some pretty good treatment over my life time.  Sure there's been the occasional confrontation, and there are plenty of people who don't like me, but for the most part, I've been treated very well.  

     I wonder how Brad is doing these days.  I don't even know if he is alive, but I hope he is and he's leading a happy life despite he mean words of some grade school kids.  I hope he has so many friends that he can't find time to spend with them all.  I hope he found religion and has a relationship with the God who loves him no matter what his nickname is.  Lastly, I hope he still talks to his sister who has long ago forgiven him, married well and has plenty of children who still climb on his lap and whisper sweeter things to him than we did.