Trolls in the Daylight

Norwegian Elkhounds in the Snow--Mt. Baldy

2010-11-24T18:12:00.000-08:00

Vote Boxer Out!

2010-10-31T23:59:00.000-07:00

There comes a time when a career politician must call it quits. While Barbara Boxer will not admit that this is the time for her to give it up, we as California citizens can take matters into our own hands and give her her walking papers. Whatever happens this election cycle, nothing would make me more happy than to see Barbara Boxer lose. It is necessary for the health of California and for the nation. Boxer is not representing California's needs and Democrats are not helping the nation while they are in power. We need to balance power by giving control of the House and Senate to Republicans while the Presidency is Democrat.
Furthermore, if you look at Barbara Boxer's advertisements and logic you will easily recognize that she is really out of touch and afraid to run on her own record. She is dodging the issues by brining up things such as abortion. Abortion? Really Barbara Boxer, abortion? You think that that is the issue everybody is worried about in the current condition of our country? And Boxer's television ad: "Fiorina wants to open off shore drilling and that will cost us jobs." What planet do you live on Boxer? I can understand you not wanting to drill off shore, but to say that off shore drilling will create job loss is ludicrous! If anything, it would create jobs!
Please, California, show up to vote on Tuesday and vote against Barbara Boxer--it is time to kick her sorry but out of office! Carly Fiorina US Senate 2010!

My Norwegian Elkhounds

2010-10-17T19:19:00.001-07:00

Up until this point I have opted against getting dogs but I have always kept in the back of my mind that one day I would like to have some Norwegian Elkhounds. It seemed as if it would only be a dream as all of the breeders that I came across online were from the east coast. But an opportunity recently presented itself that I could not pass up--I found a breeder in Moreno Valley, California that had two pups for sale and I got a good deal on them. I wanted Norwegian Elkhounds for a couple of reasons--they are traditionally bred as a hunting dog (primarily hunting moose but also bears and cougars). As such, they have good stamina and are great in the outdoors which fits me perfectly. While I am not a hunter, I think that it will be easy to transition the dogs to hiking dogs rather than hunting dogs. Now I can take them on day hikes or overnight backpacking trips. This will be especially helpful when I don't have anybody else to go with me.
Needless to say, they are beautiful dogs and quite intelligent. I need to work on training them--as of now they are having their way with my backyard. They have done quite a bit of digging (fortunately they have only dug up one plant that I was intending to keep and just a few spots in the grass--all of the other digging has been dirt with nothing planted in it. They are really timid around the city but once they are out in the wilderness they roam about as if they are the boss (I can tell that it is truly their natural element).
I have named my dogs Freyja and Idun (both Norse goddesses). I hope that you enjoy the pictures of them!

Backyard Update--August 2010

2010-08-02T13:31:00.000-07:00

It has been just over a year since I moved into my house and I have been extremely busy fixing up the place (it was a REPO and had a lot of fixing up to do). My primary target has been the yard--My grandparents always had nice gardens that I enjoyed growing up and my mother has always done well with her own garden. Add to that my travels through Europe and viewing various gardens (particularly the gardens as Skansen, Stockholm, Sweden) and I knew that I wanted to have a nice garden of my own. When I purchased my house, it was the size of the backyard lot that sold me on it--there was so much that I envisioned that I could do with it. All of my cash investments and physical labor is now paying off as I finally have the yard that I had envisioned just over a year ago! I hope that you enjoy the pictures, and, of course, I would love to have all of my family and friends over for a BBQ or something of the like, so whether you are visiting from out of state or are a friend who is over on a weekly basis, please come enjoy good eats, good company, and a cozy yard (I think it is time to set up the volleyball net, fire up the jacuzzi, and have a little fun). If you would like to see the transition just scroll down through previous posts and you will see the progression as the yard was developed (see posts on April 18, 2010 and November 19, 2009). It has come a long way from it all just being dead grass that I tore up and then just having a lot of dirt. The earliest pictures that I have are after I had already marked out the border with edging stone I had purchased and the stones for the walkway--I should have taken some pictures when there was nothing back there but the lamppost and a whole lot of dirt!
p.s. A special thanks to all of my family and friends who have helped to make this possible.

Garden Concert (feat. The Vignettes, Nikki Forova, and April Meservy)

2010-07-26T13:50:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, July 24th I hosted a Garden Concert in my backyard. The event kicked off with the Vignettes performing a set of songs with comical lyrics. The band consists of my good friends Jeremy, Todd, and Kyle (who also happen to have opened up their own film studio and production company: Muddy Yellow Sneakers). The crowd then had an opportunity to socialize for a few minutes before April Meservy and Nikki Forova took the stage. The remainder of the evening was an awesome event as Nikki and April split stage time, each performing a few songs then passing the spotlight to the other (and occasionally sharing the stage in order to perform a few songs together). The result was an enchanting evening filled with great music and great friends! I have received a lot of positive feedback from friends and family who had attended, all enjoying the music and the atmosphere. This is an event that I will have to do again in the future. If you have the opportunity to hold a concert at your home I would highly recommend that you contact April Meservy and Nikki Forova to see if they could fit you into their current tour of the Western United States. I guarantee that you and your friends will thoroughly enjoy the music and the experience. And if you don't have the time or means to host a concert, at least attend one of April or Nikki's scheduled concerts. You can see the dates and locations on their websites:
April Meservy: www.Aprilmeservy.com
Nikki Forova: www.myspace.com/nikkiforova

Backyard Update--April 2010

2010-04-18T15:55:00.000-07:00

It has been quite some time since I last gave an update concerning my progress on the backyard. I have done a lot of planting over the winter and now that Spring has arrived, things are starting to pay off. You can scroll down to my previous Backyard Update to compare photos from November. I am including here some pictures from January and then pictures from April (you will be able to tell which are from January and which are current from the leafing of the trees). Needless to say, I have planted a lot of different types of flowers both in the flower beds and in the border. I have also planted a lot of fruits and vegetables. My current prize is my berries. I currently have 82 strawberry bushes, 32 blackberry bushes, 14 raspberry bushes, and 7 blueberry bushes. While it will be some time before the other berries fruit and ripen, the strawberries are already in full bloom (I've harvested some and when picked at the right time they are amazingly delicious--you are welcome to come on over and try some--I can't eat them all).
My next major project is to put in the lawn. As you can see, weeds have taken over the entire area that I tore up for the lawn, so I have quite a bit of work to do to get it prepared for putting in the grass. Speaking of which, does anybody know of a landscaper that either seeds or sods? I'd like to get started on this whole lawn business so that I can have it done within the next month or two and have people over for bar-b-ques. :)

The Joke That Is American Politics

2010-04-14T15:03:00.000-07:00

I earnestly proclaim that America is the greatest nation ever to exist on the face of the earth, offering the greatest protections, opportunities, and liberties to its citizenry than any other nation at any other time in the history of the world. The creation of our nation along with its government and constitution is truly inspired and a gift to all Americans from God who placed some of the best and brightest men together to forge our nation. That having been said, it is with great sadness that I earnestly proclaim that our current elected officials have made a joke of American politics and government. This is evident by the disasterous passage of the healthcare bill.
Our current leaders have said that the purpose for passing healthcare is to reduce costs so that healthcare is affordable to everyone. A worthy goal, no doubt. But what fools do these jesters imagine the citizenry of America to be? Paying through taxes versus paying through private insurance does not make something any more affordable--it simply makes a people pay more through a different institution. Furthermore, why would such a reform require over 2,000 pages of legislation to implement? I'm pretty sure that legislators could have written the bill with everything that is needed for true reform within a few hundred pages. What a joke!
And then to vote on the bill and pass it without ever having read through it--it appears that our elected officials are no better than my lowest achieving high school students who write a lot of B.S. in their essays based upon a reading assignment they have never taken the initiative to read. In my mind, there is no difference between those who voted "yes" for this silly bill and my students who are failing English Langauge Arts. As a matter of fact, I think I would prefer to have a 15 year old student who has failed my class than many of the lawmakers that we have elected, serve in government--at least I know the 15 year old will be too lazy to write anything into law that would be damaging to the American people and American culture and progress.
Reflecting upon this I have decided that I would like to run for public office, and so I am announcing my candidacy to the United States Congress. This is my platform (it is really simple):
I promise that if I am elected to office, any time there is a bill introduced which has a length greater than the amount of time offered to read it (lets say, for example, a healthcare bill that is over 2,000 pages in length with less than 72 hours to read it before voting on it), I will submit at least 100 pages of legislation to be included in the bill. The majority of the legislation will be sound law that does not infringe upon the rights of the individual or of families within the United States, but imbeded within the 100 pages I will include little clauses that nobody will read until after the passing of the bill that will expose the jesters, er. . . I mean lawmakers, for what they truly are. For example, if I were a congressman at the time of the passage of the healthcare bill I would have written the following into the bill:
1. Upon passage of this law, The President of the United States will recind all power and authority of his position and standing to the people of the United States, will step down from office, and a special election will be held in November 2010 for the Presidency of the United States. (I just love the thought of our President pushing a bill that will unknowingly strip him of all authority--it would suit him right for signing into law legislation that he has not read).
2. Both the House Majority Leader and the House Minority Leader from this day forth will wear costumes on the floor of the house of congress that reflect the mascot of the political party which they represent. (Wouldn't that be awesome to see Steny Hoyer dressed like a jackass [er, I mean donkey] and John Boehner dressed as an elephant as they address congress).
3. The Speaker of the House henceforth will address the American people in the Swahili Language. (I think this would do Nancy Polosi a great service considering that she is always saying stupid things like: "We have to pass the healthcare bill in order to know what is in it." Surprise Nancy, you just found out that you must now speak Swahili or keep your trap shut--now that is justice!).
4. Members of the Congress and of the Senate will forego all rights to homeownership for the duration of their elected terms. Said members must live as invited guests in the homes of ordinary citizens according to the citizens' own will and pleasure. (perhaps then elected officials will begin to truly understand what the average American really thinks).
5. All members of the House of Congress and of the Senate who have voted to make this bill law must attend reading school, pay a fine of $500, and perform 500 hours of community service. (It would be much like an individual going to traffic school in order to learn the rules of traffic regulation, except they are learning how to read a bill before voting on it. The reading school will have the elected officials read the entire bill and be tested on it before they are permitted to pass the course).
6. Any other suggestions on what I might include in the bill? I would love to receive your feedback before I am elected and move to Washington to impliment my new vision for American Politics. :)

*Brett Hall for United States Congress 2010

The Best Album of 2009

2009-12-23T23:07:00.000-08:00

There were a lot of great albums released in 2009: Røyksopp, a-ha, Regina Spektor, Ingrid Michaelson, Imogen Heap, just to name a few. But one album is far superior to them all: Declaration of Dependence by Kings of Convenience. It isn't the most "trendy" music and it will not get a lot of air time on the radio, but as far as talent, both musically and lyrically, there is nothing better. Below are the songs from the new album--take a listen and then go out and buy the album for yourself--you will not regret it!

24-25
"What we built is bigger than the sum of two. But some where I lose count of my own. And some how I must find it alone."

Mrs. Cold
"Hey baby, Mrs. Cold. Acting so tough, I didn't know you had it in you to be hurt at all"

Me In You
"Crossroads and given the option to pass and look back at goals we've missed. Rainbows or burning bridges, if you squint a little more they look the same."

Boat Behind
"So we meet again after several years, several years of separation."

Rule My World
"Only someone who is morally superior can possibly and honestly deserve to rule my world."

My Ship Isn't Pretty
"The sky was the blankest sheet. We drew lines upon it so our thoughts could meet."

Renegade
"Why are you whispering when the bombs are falling? Go easy on me, I can't help what I'm doing."

Power Of Not Knowing
"The bigger blessing girl is being young--the power of not knowing where you belong. I tried so hard to keep it, not to lose that secret, waiting for someone like you to come along."

Peacetime Resistance
"We've got four eyes, so why yearn for one perspective?"

Freedom And Its Owner
"Freedom, freedom never greater than its owner. Freedom is the mastery of the known."

Riot On An Empty Street
"My life, it's a riot, I am climbing barricades in empty streets at night."

Second To Numb
"He won't touch you anymore, staying at his side. Half indifferent, half afraid it will only make you cry."

Scars On Land
"We take what's dead and breath life in"

So, it finally happened this year. . .

2009-12-08T16:35:00.000-08:00

Once every school year it happens. It is inevitable. It is only a matter of when. . . and when arrived today. . . at the end of 5th period. . .

Scene: Mr. Hall's 5th period English Language Arts classroom. Students are busily working on the assignment with ten minutes left of class time.

STUDENT A: Mr. Hall, what religion are you?

MR. HALL: Why do you want to know?

STUDENT A: I was talking with some friends about you today and they said some things.

MR. HALL: What did they say?

STUDENT A: They said that they think you are Mormon or something.

MR. HALL: Interesting.

STUDENT A: So, are you Mormon or something?

MR. HALL: Yes, I am Mormon or something.

STUDENT A: So you don't celebrate Christmas?!

MR. HALL: I celebrate Christmas.

STUDENT A: But you are Mormon. . . Mormons aren't allowed to do a lot of things.

MR. HALL: People have a lot of misconceptions about Mormons.

STUDENT B: Mr. Hall, you are Mormon.

MR. HALL: Yes.

STUDENT C: So you celebrate Hanukkah?

MR. HALL: No, I celebrate Christmas.

STUDENT C: O, you celebrate Christmas, Mr. Hall.

MR. HALL: Yes.

[Students begin to chat on that side of the room. Suddenly STUDENT D calls MR. HALL to the other side of the room]

STUDENT D: Mr. Hall!

MR. HALL: Yes.

STUDENT D: You are Mormon?

MR. HALL: Yes.

STUDENT D: Mormons don't have sex before they are married, right?

MR. HALL: Correct, if they are practicing their religion.

STUDENT D: Mr. Hall, are you married?

MR. HALL: No.

STUDENT D smiles.

END SCENE

*Other students were not paying attention to STUDENT D's questions and thus missed the connection. In past years students have been slow to make the connection (Mr. Hall is mormon--pause--mormons don't have sex outside of marriage--pause--Mr. Hall isn't married--pause--*LIGHT BULB MOMENT*. . . Mr Hall is a virgin. *Laughter*).

Back Yard Update

2009-11-19T19:55:00.001-08:00

It has been a while since I have given an update on my yard. A couple of months ago I decided that I did not like the way my lawn in the back yard was growing--patchy and full of weeds (trying to bring it back from being dead--neglected as my home was a foreclosure). So I got this bright idea of tearing it all out, so one Saturday I rented a sod cutter and spent all day cutting out my ratty lawn. It took some time to figure out how to get rid of it all. I spent the next month rolling up and piling the grass in preparation to be discarded. I discovered that I could rent a dumpster and do the work myself, but I was fortunate to find some workers who would do the job for me for the same price, so they hauled the sod away.
I have since dropped a load of cash on edging bricks which I have since put in myself and more cash on various plants and flowers. I have managed to plant one box of hedges, two beds of flowers, and some perimeter flowers (of course the one garden that has the hedges planted is in the shadows--hard to see in the photos). I have additional hedges waiting to be planted. You can see this clearly in the pictures (I have four additional "gardens" planned). It is time consuming--I spent all of last Saturday planting and I try to get home each day to use the one hour of daylight I have after work to get out in the back. Of course, it has been a few days since I have been out there thanks to other commitments (I've recently been called as a Ward Missionary and have received a home teaching assignment, both of which require some work in the evenings; additionally I have been working on several committees at work: WASC Curriculum Coordinator, 10th Grade District Writing Assessment Trainer, 10th grade Pacing Guide Committee, Leadership Training, etc., and of course I cannot neglect my commitment to the gym). Needless to say, I am always busy with something these days.
Anyhow, I hope that you enjoy the pictures of the yard--it is starting to come along but it has a long way to go!

If You Were Me. . .

2009-11-15T19:50:00.000-08:00

I am excited for Thanksgiving week to come along. This year I get a whole week off of work with which to celebrate the holiday. Can you believe that? A whole week to do whatever I want in November. . . this is truly one of the luxuries of my job. So this is where you come in. Having never had a week off for the Thanksgiving holiday, I can't quite make up my mind as to what to do with my time. Below is a list of ideas that I have and I would like your help in deciding what to do. So please read through my ideas and let me know, if you were me, what you would do (leave a comment with your suggestion)? :)

ROAD TRIP TO SAN FRANCISCO: I have a good friend who lives just outside of the city and another friend in the city itself. It would be nice to visit these friends and to explore the city itself. I suppose that this trip would place me in touristy mode while allowing me to further develop my friendships.

ROAD TRIP TO SALT LAKE CITY: I haven't been to Utah since a brief weekend trip at the beginning of Summer to visit my ailing grandmother. I have not been back since she passed away. This would give me the opportunity to visit relatives and friends who live in the area, and if I am lucky they will have some snow and I can attempt to go cross-country skiing.

ROAD TRIP/CAMPING TO DEATH VALLEY: I've never been to Death Valley and it is on my list of places to visit. I suppose I will freeze my butt off this time of year, but it is better than roasting to death in the summertime. It would be interesting to visit the park and I imagine that I could find a place to go camping along the way.

EXPLORING GRAND GULCH: This trip will take me into the wilderness of Southeastern Utah up Grand Gulch Canyon where there are no hiking trails or campgrounds that I am aware of. It will be true back-country camping as I wander bear-grylls-like through canyons where indian ruins are supposed to be. It will be awesome to check out these old sites and to have an adventure wandering in the middle of nowhere for days and just throwing down my camping gear wherever I can find a flat place to sleep for the night. My only real concerns will be freezing my butt off and trying to find my way back to my car. . . but what an ADVENTURE!!!

EXPLORING GERONIMO'S OLD HIDE OUT: I have no idea where this location is (other than somewhere around the New Mexico, Arizona, and Mexico border) but I would like to research it and go back-country hiking/camping in search of the famed hide-out where the last free indians evaded both U.S. and Mexican troops in their hopes to live life free and according to their own will.

STAY HOME AND VISIT WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS: Going nowhere is always an option, though not as exciting, unless I am using the time to visit friends and family, doing things to have fun or strengthen our relationships. I could always couple this with local adventures: hiking, kayaking, day trips, museums, local camping, etc.

OTHER: If you have any other ideas or suggestions, I would greatly appreciate them.

Life (In Poetry)

2009-11-05T20:32:00.000-08:00

So, I have this crazy idea that I came up with. I have been writing poetry for years and have decided that I would like to read back through some old writings and post select poems with a "Life" theme. These poems were written individually at different times and in different styles (spanning from the mid 1990s to the present day), so they are not meant to connect with one another (that is why if you read it straight through it will seem quite disjointed). Nevertheless, I have decided to arrange the poems beginning with adolescence until old age (childhood gets caught in the section of young family life, if you will). Some poems may make perfect sense on their own, others may need an explanation. If you would like additional information, simply post a comment with your request and I will respond with details (for example, if you are wondering when a poem was written, who or what the poem is about, specific references, images, or meanings of figurative language that it contains, etc.). Keep in mind, some of the poems are more personal, and others are stories or experiences that I have never had but that I have created. So please, do not necessarily assume that a poem written in first person is about me (although it may very well be). Anyhow, I hope that you enjoy it. . . there are a lot poems, so you may wish to scroll through and pick out the one's whose titles sound more interesting to you.
--Brett Hall

TO MY STUDENTS

Past midnight on the coastal sounds,
The haunting foam appears, resigns--
Mutating in the darkness, reappears,
Groaning toward the shore with jesting sneers.
I watch as nature rages where I stand--
A scene surreal, yet of its own divine.
The winds that ravish, fill my soul with dread;
The intermittent silence in my head,
Brings horror,
Submits peace again.
The storm may rage and I in awe of it
Contemplate
Its throes, inward admit.

Upon these shores the fiercing elements
Move not my students, standing unaware,
Oblivious to storms, why should they care
For piercing cries,
For specters in the foam?
They dally forth--obscurely how they roam
Despite the wind, the rain, the violent storm.
The crashing waves.
The churning of the sea,
Whispers not within their revelry.

They do not care to view Antonious Block,
Nor dear Johannes with his severed mind,
Which offers sight to all around him blind--
A discourse true about our failing faith.
And what of Pelle in his distant world
So foreign.
So foreign.
We cannot understand the Northern Sea
Uttering discourses on our vain humanity.
Instead we're born, grow old, and die,
Lacking the knowledge as to why.

The storm abates--
Indifferent, they walk away.
The silence settles on the timid air
And waters rest beneath the moon.
What of the storm beneath the surface of the sea
That rages while the earth appears content?
And I?

Alone.

Alone I stand within the silent breeze,
Resting from the weariness of life.
The peace is short-lived--
Irreverent clouds huddle on the horizon,
Soon to reach the blissful shore.

The greatest gain of truth
Comes in the silence between the storm.

I WANT TO LOVE

I want to love and ravenously so
With feelings real, not some pretense of lust,
But with my heart and mind--a living trust
That moves my heart to her--this I must know.
I want to love and be loved in return,
To feel the warm embrace of one I hold
And kiss her as true lovers kiss so bold,
And know her dreams that they in me may burn.
I want to love and feel excited too
Because I've found the woman of my heart
With whom I could not bear to be apart
Due to the happiness of my love true.
I want to love with all my energy;
With all my strength her love I want to be!

SADNESS

I choose my sadness on warm summer nights
When all the world is free
And all the air is love
And I walk all alone
In mourning hours beneath the moon.

AT YOUR DOOR

How many times?
How long shall the glass be pressed upon her lips,
This woman at the luncheon of the boating party?
Her thoughts, are they distant from the scene
Or of the scene?
Is she frail with bones as are the glass-man's,
Or stalwart as a gnome cemented to a shrine?
Amélie
Has shown me what it means to be a man
Standing at your door--
The imagination and the dream
That settles like a mist on women's hearts.
It is a wondrous dream
That moves a heart to stir,
A mind to dance in revelry.
Love's palpitations are the lifeblood of the soul.
But there's no magic in me.
There's no mystic force that leads me,
Despite my will,
To silent scenes of serendipity,
Where I appear as fresh as morning dew
Within your heart. . .
At your door.
So it is I stand,
Naked to the truth of who I am. . .
What I am not.
The reality that is my being,
Alone,
Aware that all I am and all I do
Is but the blackness hidden in the shadow of your dream.
And so I go
Unnoticed. . .
Standing. . .
At your door.

SHE WAITS

She sits anxiously at the table,
Hands folded before her,
Peering out of the window with a hope
And with a sigh.
The wind howls through the bending trees
Then dies again--
A quiet peace
Wherein she hears the screaming of her heart.
Another gust
And distant chimes ring
While window panes creak with the commotion.
It howls and dies and howls and dies again.
Se sits alone.
She wanders in the mind to a reflection,
Staring poignantly upon her soul.
She bows her head and sobs a tear or two
For memories
By now he has forgotten.
The wind howls.
She lifts her head and looks beyond the glass
To dancing bushes and skipping leaves.
She hears in them a laughter.
It dies again.
And silence.
The sun's rays dim and darkness rises
With the howling gust returned--
Returning to a fade.
A soft light burns upon the table
Casting shadows upon her face.
She gazes deeply at the passing scene
Outside--
Motionless.
The wind howls and the trees bend.
It dies and trees return again.
She waits anxiously--
Her heart beats out seconds to the hour.
Darkness.
She sits alone
And the window gazes inward on her,
Peering deep into her soul.
It howls and dies again.
She bows her head within her hands
Numbness
And a distant rage.
The wind howls
And a distant voice fades into a memory.
Another tear.
Another hopeless glance into the dark.
He does not understand.
The wind dies,
And the glass shatters deep within her soul--
A million tears pumped through a bleeding heart.
Pain and suffering--
The thought of an enduring love.
The wind howls
And dies again.
She sits in darkness
Gazing sullenly upon the world
From out a window
Surrounded by a pane creaking in the midnight hour.
He never said that he would come.

THE COLD HEART

Do not place on my heart your warm affection,
I've omitted it times past, nor seek it now.
Each tender word you speak will face rejection;
To love, to understand, I know not how.
My heart is cold, indeed I'd say its frozen
And cannot grasp effectual delights
That are displayed within the acts you've chosen,
As do the dancing of the Northern Lights.
Though beauteous, in awe one may behold
The splendor of that colored by-frost bridge
That beckoned to the norseman sagas told
Leading the faithful to Valhalla's ridge;
It of itself could not unfreeze the land,
Nor was its tundra toasted by Thor's bolt,
Nor is my heart warmed by your soothing hands
As every tender touch meets with revolt.
And every softened word that hereto falls
Upon my ears, causes such sorrow, such pain
That from my hardened heart beckoning calls
Me to ignore its pleasant wind, and to refrain
From such a myth that you impart upon
My anguished soul. How may it be that I
Could love, when all I've known is lust? I've gone
To the extreme where truth becomes a lie
And I believe, I believe that naked,
Stark reality that binds my heart in
Its hypocrisy where love is faked
In lust's designs that fills my soul within.
I pray, Do not caress me with affection,
It only leaves me bleeding in my mind.
I cannot bare to face you with rejection
And walk with your false hope trailing behind.

AN EMAIL TO SANNA

A philosopher once said: "Where neither love nor hatred is in the game, a woman's game is mediocre." I had not the strength to elicit love within your treasured soul, nor had I the heart to stir hatred within your mind, and having neither evoked love nor hate, a silent sadness ensued wherein you gently faded in the passing days and weeks and months, till time with her soft rain drops washed away the memory of one I thought to love.

NO MAYAKOVSKY

No Mayakovsky with "caustic contempt"
Bleeds through a putrid heart.
No pen--
The poet's dagger--
Carves superfluous sinews
Of an unrequitting soul.
The blast of bombast will not bruise my brain,
And love in lithe attire
No more will haunt me.
For I am no Mayakovsky.
Your supple sultriness insinuates
Suffering in the man who longs to view
The softness of your form.
Woman.
And though at times I've longed,
I will not beg,
Crying from the streets to let me in!
For I am no Mayakovsky.
I'd call you Lily to my love,
For you are just as fleeting.
Temptress!
I'll be not "calm
Like the pulse of a corpse,"
But as peaceful as the midnight sun
Touching the horizon as it turns
From a wayward course.
I will approach,
Then flee into the darkness of a
Wintry sea
Forgetting forever,
Lily.
For I am no Mayakovsky.

TO A FRIEND UPON HIS DOUBTING

What can I say or write to ease your mind
So troubled by the fleeting news of day?
I'm pained to see the storm in which you sway
As in its eye, its madness makes you blind
To the reality, the truth of who
You are. You say you do not know. I think
That you deceive yourself--you happ'ly drink
Your bitter cup and wallow in your blue,
But no, that is not you, 'tis not the man
That I behold. For strength I see; a son
Of God whom to his Father's outstretched hands
Is ever reaching, active in his plan.
Your faith and your desire make you one
Whom in the midst of God at last will stand.

LINES UPON A COUNSELOR AND FRIEND

In silent hours, when moved to pondering,
I cannot help but feel such gratitude
For such a friend with a great attitude
Whose heart the hymns of Zion always sings.
I have been blessed to call you counselor,
To have experience where spirit unfolds
A tiny glimpse that the wide Heavens hold
For us to view and ponder evermore.
The work you've done, the way which you inspire
Your fellow men to engage in the work
That otherwise, less faithful, they would shirk,
Is one of many things that I admire.
And now our tenure meets a fitful end--
No more a president, but a true friend.

THOUGHTS: UPON YOUR ILLNESS

What pains are yours I do not claim to know--
The trial manifested in this way
That leaves you laid-up for unnumbered days,
Seeking some relief that arrives slow.
I can't pretend to even understand
The smallest portion of your private pain
That has returned and will return again
With its fierce fortunes, frightening demands.
But this I say in utmost honesty
That I admire the strength and fortitude
That you possess, along with gratitude,
Despite the illness you bear painfully.
I know no other woman who could live
With such a trial and be as positive.

THERE COMES A TIME

There comes a time
When suddenly the pleasures of our youth
Seem nothing more than pleading
For a truth to make one whole.
The void appears in shadows
Between vainglorious applause,
And one cheers louder for the self
In hopes to beat back this recognition.
I've filled my life
With many a fun and frantic thing--
Hobbies, education, career,
Spontaneous pleasures of the day,
But quiet hours come
And in the silence of such moments
The shadows reappear
And nothingness settles on the soul.
There is something more to life
Than merely me.
Suddenly. . .
It is strange just how intense
Can be desires. . .
Desires for responsibility,
Not for the fame or business of the world
But for a quiet moment
With a baby in one's arms.
To be a father--
To be a part of something greater
Than oneself.
To hold the only future
That in the end supersedes
All of the accolades of life. . .
Yes,
There comes a time,
And now I recognize that happiness
Is not found in the self
But in the selfless.

TO TAKE YOU BY THE HAND

If I could reach and take you by the hand
I'd lead you down a street of cobblestone,
Past architecture past ages had known--
Perhaps on local shores or foreign lands.
If reaching proved your hand was held in mine
I'd cherish the soft touch and warm embrace--
Though I'd be dizzy as my heart would race--
Such joy to me would be an act divine,
For I would hold the hand of hallowed grace,
Reflecting on the miracle that I
Experience as I gaze into your eyes
And find in each a dream I'd like to trace.
Such dreams are woven, carefully entwined,
As would your fingers be if held in mine.

IN THE ORCHARD AT KRISTIANSAND

It was a pleasant afternoon
With gentle light amid the shade
That danced resplendent through the air--
The air so fresh and sweet--
That she and I strolled hand in hand
In the orchard at Kristiansand.

She wandered free and full of life
Through thicket and a royal crown
Which Nature wore with elegance--
Her soul held to our view--
And here I felt the innocence
Of the orchard at Kristiansand.

She moved about from tree to bush
Into the open fields where lay
The inspirations of her dreams--
Her blessed imagination--
She seemed to float, no present cares,
In the orchard at Kristiansand.

I smiled at the freedoms found
So deep within her playful heart
And felt a joy bursting within--
Happy in her happiness--
Which moved my heart to live again
In the orchard at Kristiansand.

She looked t'ward me and I at her.
We moved together then embraced,
And held onto each other's dreams--
She held my heart, my all--
And then we kissed and kissed again
In the orchard at Kristiansand.

My heart was singing deep within
The silent chambers of my soul,
And a soft tear swelled in my eye--
A tear of happiness--
I holding all I cared to hold
In the orchard at Kristiansand.

We tightly cleaved--a long embrace--
In the light of a fading sun.
Our shadows long upon the grass--
We two as one, alone--
And then our arms to our sides fell
In the orchard at Kristiansand.

We moved about the apple trees
And plucked the fruit for our delight.
The blossoms held a mystery--
Beautiful and whispering--
They spoke within the fertile breeze
Of the orchard at Kristiansand.

She pressed the fruit upon her lips
The juices running down her chin
Sparkling in the twilight sun--
My heart was full again.
I wiped the juices with my thumbs
In the orchard at Kristiansand.

She took my hands within her own,
Removed them from off of her face
And held them sweetly for a time,
Our eyes locked in a gaze.
I whispered gently in her ear
In the orchard at Kristiansand.

She left her hold and walked away
Amid the shadows of the trees,
To feel the moment, to live life--
She's one with earth's beauty--
She stopped to sudden pondering
In the orchard at Kristiansand.

She was alive and I in her
felt of all the earth's rejoicing,
Amid a soft, romantic scene--
Magical and so serene--
Where my heart for her is yet growing. . .
In the orchard at Kristiansand.

ON NEWS OF HER ENGAGEMENT

My heart leaps up with joy at the good news
Of your engagement, of a union sweet,
Where two hearts and two minds forever meet
Within the mount of God--celestial views.
To think, my friend, that you have found the one
Who does inspire the greatest height of thought,
And stirs within the deepest love which ought
To move you through the course marked by the Son.
I cannot help but feel an intense joy
Within the happiness which life unfolds
In your behalf, where two as one will hold
The greatest gift which God to man employs.
For in true love one learns the life of God
For which the hosts of heav'n and I applaud.

CONCEPTION

The steady palpatations of two hearts.
The fusion in the silence of two minds.
This is the moment mortals are divine--
The only true creation we impart.

WITH CHILD

From the window comes caressings
Of the morning hour air,
Cool upon the silent mother's skin.
Drapes flutter,
Dancing with the twinkle of the stars.
The darkness shudders softly
From the touching of the moon,
Soft in misty mellowness.
She stands against the wall,
head lifted lightly to the breeze
That tickles gently her sweet neck,
Tracing the dear contours of her throat.
She peers upon a silent street
Sleeping in the arms of a lamp's light,
Bending in the shadows from the hedge.
The sound of stillness in a cricket's voice.
Her fingertips rest gently on her chin--
Move slightly to the velvet of her lips.
Pause.
Moves slowly to her chin, her neck, her breasts,
Downward through her slightly parted gown.
Her palm rests on the silk that is her skin
Pulled taught around the roundness of her form.
Her organs stir--
The movement of the world within.
She presses sweetly on her stomach, bare.
He is the first--
His motions a discomfort revelled in.
His movement,
Genesis.
What comforts compass the dear child's world!
Both hands stir readily
Around the form.
Both eyes pierce deep into the night.
And inward, thoughts of love abound.
Her child.
Her first.
Her husband lost within the comforts of their bed.
Alone--
Yet not alone--
She ponders on the future of her son
And whispers, as the crickets chorus swells,
A lullaby to serenade her dreams.

MORNING

Morning.
And all is stripped away
But her dear innocence--
The beauty of her being.
She is as nat'ral as the light
That dances on her skin--
Soft,
Reflective of the light she holds within.
Her hair in wisps untainted,
Wild and free--
Unkempt to some, most beautiful to me.
Her hand upon her face
Evokes a morning grace
Where impressions part for that which ought to be.
A blissful morning memory--
Soft light, soft smile,
Soft and so lovely--
I cannot think a time more beautiful
Then in this moment when rising I espy
Sanna in red,
Recently risen from her bed,
So nat'ral with the dawning of her day.

Morning.
And how I long to hold her in my arms--
To feel the warmth of her soft skin--
Embrace the light she holds within
And dream in innocence.
To place my hand upon her face.
To run my fingers through her hair.
To hear her voice melodious sing.
To hear her heart speak wild and free.
There is a depth which is revealed
When parting realms of sleep,
And hers is one that I'd explore
And ever hope to keep.

Morning.
And nothing is more beautiful
Than when she first arises.
She is the sun whom imparts life
Within my sleeping soul.

IN A LONELY COTTAGE

Candles burn--soft light illuminates the night
And shadows shiver with the welcomed warmth.
A room in all simplicity
Transformed to bright felicity
Stands still and frozen with the eve's delight.
Two silhouettes are dancing on the wall
In motion, motionless though they may be,
A trick from flames that flicker fervently
Within the breath of Autumn's revelry--
Two souls, they sit across a table bare,
Soft words have settled and softly they stare
Down upon their folded hands
Held tight together, somberly.

Moments pass, and gently on the air
The soothing notes of Grieg are gently played.
The melted wax begins to run
And tears of joy are lightly sprung
And race upon the cheeks of this young pair.
A smile breaks upon the couple's face--
A breath of laughter following a sigh
When young love meets within their dreaming eyes
As future hopes within their hearts take flight.
And in the silence of a dying flame
They whisper softly once again the name
Of their newborn who softly sleeps
Within the room beside.

FATHER TO SON

I see him through the glass
Seated with son upon his knee--
A small child in a large world.
His back is to me,
But his happy child's face bobs into view--
Bouncing in a silent distance.
"Ride ride ranke. . ."
It is a joyous moment for the two,
Fleeting as it may be.
"Hesten heter Blanke. . ."
We mount our horse when young
And quickly gallup to the west--
Our lives' own setting sun.
"Hvor skal vi ride. . ."
And so this moment,
As the years of life,
Quickly pass into memory.
"Til en liten pike. . ."
It is a beautiful sight to see--
A moment brief--
Bonding,
Father to son.
The boy's sister will be next.
"Hva skal hun heter?"
But now--
This moment--
From a distance viewing--
I reflect upon my memories.
"Anna Margarette. . ."
A silver dollar and a smile--
We grandchildren stand in line to count to ten. . .
En,
To, tre,
Fire, fem, seks,
Sju, atte, ni, ti.
A silver dollar and a smile.
"Når vi kom dit. . ."
Twice a year we would travel.
Grandparents--
Morfar (Amerikaner med engelsk forfedre)
With his violin,
Playing in the evening twilight.
"Var ingen hjeme. . ."
Mormor (Amerikaner med engelsk forfedre)
In her garden
With grandchildren at her feet.
"Uten for hunden. . ."
Farfar (Svensk med svensk forfedre)
Upon his knee we count to ten.
A silver dollar and a smile.
"Som lå under benken. . ."
Farmor (Norsk med norsk og sveitser forfedre)
In her kitchen preparing a family meal.
"Og røstet på lenken. . ."
I loved those summer days and winter evenings,
Nestled in Sandy and Salt Lake.
"Den vesla sa, 'Vuff, vuff, vuff, vuff. . . '"
Memories--
To travel to a continent,
The lands of my ancestors,
With marevelous vistas peering in upon the train
I peering out upon her view.
Yet inward,
In a distant seat, a stranger sits
With a boy-child on his knee,
And all else fades within this moment--
Father to son--
This is pure humanity.
I smile at the scene.
"Men store han sa, "VUFF, VUFF, VUFF, VUFF!'"

WHEN UNCLES COME TO PLAY

I

FE, FY, FO, FUM--
I SMELL THE BLOOD OF A LITT-LE-ONE!
he he he
fuss fuss fuss
shhh--
or the scary monster'll find us!
Four-lit-tle-voi-ces-laugh-and-scream-
Un-der-the-ta-ble-all-hi-ding.
One-with-a-gig-gle-
One-with-a-snort-
All-safe-wi-thin-the-make-be-lieve-fort.
FE, FY, FO, FUM--
I CAN-NOT FIND ALL THE LIT-TLE-ONES!
WHERE ARE THEY HI-DING?
WHERE CAN I FIND. . . ?
UN-DER THIS PIL-LOW!?
BEHIND THIS BLIND!?
NO. . . NO!
he he he
fuss fuss fuss
ya better be quiet
or he'll find us!
Four-lit-tle-voi-ces-laugh-and-scream-
Un-der-the-ta-ble-all-hi-ding.
One-with-a-leg-out-
One-with-an-arm-
Still-they-don't-see-a-cause-for-a-larm.
FE, FY, FO, FUM--
I SMELL THE BLOOD OF A LIT-TLE ONE!
WHERE ARE THEY HI-DING?
WHERE CAN THEY BE. . . ?
UNDER THIS BLANKET?
BEHIND THE T.V.?
NO. . . NO!
he he he
fuss fuss fuss
poor little monster
he'll never find us!
FE, FY, FO, FUM--
WHERE IN THE WORLD ARE THE LIT-TLE ONES!?
The-voice-at-the-ta-ble-
The-feet-on-the-ground-
Next-to-the-chil-dren-
How-their-hearts-pound,
Beating-so-loudly-
Stri-cken-with-fear-
Now-that-the-mon-ster-
Has-come-near.
I-mag-i-na-tion-swells-in-their-heads.
shhh--
be quiet or we'll be dead!
FE, FY, FO, FUM--
I SMELL THE BLOOD OF A LIT-TLE ONE!
Four-lit-tle-voi-ces-laugh-and-speak-
Un-der-the-ta-ble-then-a-
SHRIEK!!!
AH--I GOT-CHA!!!
Hearts-all-poun-ding-the-chil-dren-laugh.
do it again, they say at last.

II

"Uncle B, Uncle B,
We want to ride on the hor-sie!"
Quick is the swarm with swift grabbing hands
The horse is subdued--no longer he stands.
Down on all fours, they climb on his back--
Without enough room, they're on the attack.
"We'll all take turns, so please don't cry,"
Says uncle B to their shimmering eyes.
Three on at once--the third quickly falls,
The swarm resumes and the hor-sie is mauled.
"One at a time and we'll all get a turn,"
Says uncle B with a voice less stern.
Klip klop klip klop klip klop,
Whi-nieeeee!
Ppppbbbbbb.
Klip klop klip klop klip klop.
Round and round,
Then "Buster-Bronco" takes them to town.
The one falls off,
The whole group laughs.
The swarm resumes and the uncle laughs.

III

"Uncle B, uncle B,
We want to hear a troll stor-ie!"
Up on the bed the children sit,
"We want your trolls to tell us it!"
Off of the shelf the trolls he takes--
Deep in his throat a new voice makes.
Though the troll is scary with eyes all wild,
He receives a kiss from every child.
He asks each girl about her day
And asks each boy in the same way,
And then he asks which tale to tell.
The girls say, "Princess," the boys as well.
"And we want berries and berry pie,
And make the trolls nice so no-one dies."
The children listen to the tale,
With hearts that pound and eyes that swell.
They each add to it their own thoughts,
Twisting and turning the old plots.
The tale is finished, the troll is friend,
The children like a happy end.
Back on the shelf the trolls return.
"We want another!" the children spurn.
"Uncle B, uncle B,
We want another troll stor-ie!"
"The trolls are tired, its time for bed--
The story's done, they sleep instead."
So with a kiss he says goodnight,
Gives each a hug and turns out the light.

WHEN AUNTS VISIT

Quick to the kitchen, the kids gather round
All tiny helpers with sharp squealing sounds.
One finds a stool and up quickly climbs
As do the others, metered in time.
One grabs a chair, another a pail,
Reaching the counter, they all feel swell.
One grabs the sugar, another the yeast--
All are excited to help make the feast.
One counts the flour, another the eggs--
Oops! One just fell down between sister's legs.
Crack! O so gooey, it covers the floor--
The boy thinks its funny and throws down some more.
Crack! Crack! Crack!
giggle giggle giggle
squirm squirm squirm--
wiggle wiggle wiggle.
The aunt returns from washing her hands:
"What's going on?!" The aunt so demands.
giggle giggle giggle
squirm squirm squirm
"Help clean it up all you wiggly worms."
wipe wipe wipe
wiggle wiggle wiggle
smear smear smear
giggle giggle giggle.
All tiny helpers cleaning the mess
Just makes it worse the aunt must confess.
She gets out the mop and tidies the floor
One mess is cleaned up, get ready for more.
Quick to their stations the children abound--
All tiny helpers with sharp, squealing sounds.
One spills the oil, another the salt,
Each blames the other--its nobody's fault.
measure measure measure
pour pour pour
whisk whisk whisk
measure some more.
It's all mixed together in one big pile
The kids, though they're anxious, must wait awhile.
sit sit sit
wait wait wait
One little voice rises--
"We sure did great!"
They quickly lose interest
In waiting around--
Off now and quickly with their squealing sounds.
The aunt in the kitchen surveys the mess.
She both loves and hates it she must confess.
The kitchen is clean and the children come back,
Hungry and eager to eat a small snack.
sniff sniff sniff
yummy yummy yummy
Kids can't wait to fill up their tummies.
smack smack smack
gobble gobble gobble
Kids are full--see how they wobble.

STONE COLD AND EVER GRAY

How many times he's longed to look away,
Lost deep in thought, to some uncertain dawn
Whose rays of light dance lightly on his brow
And smile and laugh until his cares are gone.
How many moments silently betray
The happy memories of yesterday
And steal from youth the vigor and the braun
To leave the man in pensive mood below
With nothing but his dreams to think upon--
These dreams that ever seem to slip away.
And what in silence does a mother say
With her dear hand upon his shoulder now.
What thoughts or memory could she endow
On her lone son, stone cold and ever gray.

REFLECTION

Animated with a child's heart
She moves upon the wint'ry crag
Experiencing the world renewed--
Experiencing a life that often fades
From hearts and minds
Whose cares become the world.
Not hers.
She lives and loves the freedoms of the earth.
She seeks the thrill the senses give.
She stretches out connecting with a life
That breaths beneath a liquid sky.
A liquid sky--
A perfect mirror--
It holds a depth which harbors life;
It holds an image from above--
Reflections of eternity.
She feels eternity reflected in herself,
Her simple soul.
She reaches through the mirror to grasp her heart.
She reaches deep, reflecting on her soul.
Still. . .
Clear. . .
A pureness undisturbed by her rejoicing touch.
A simple moment words cannot describe--
Connecting life and living to her heart.
This is beauty in a bending touch
Where all the earth may offer enters freely
Through her coursing veins--
Freely through her longing heart--
Offering a mellow fruitfulness
Of peace--
Serenity.
Verbal profundities abandoned,
She touches, feels, connects and understands
The value of a life that simply is.
That which is most profound comes not by words.

TO BE A CHILD AGAIN: IN RESPONSE TO W. B. YEATS' "TO A CHILD DANCING IN THE WIND"

O that I were this child again
But dancing in the wind
Upon some shore with tempest waves
That dance bold next to me!
O that the storm could pass me by
And I in awe of it
May look into its dreadful eye
With wonder and repose.
O that the winds my hair could curl
And lash about my face,
And I, and I, a child again
May laugh and live in grace.

"IN WINTER STANDS THE LONELY TREE"

O barren tree, stretch forth thy arms into
Cold winter's night, and think not of the birds
Once perched who since have taken flight. I've heard
Their songs and seen them dance a day or two
Within your lofty branches wide and in
Your colored hue. But summer's gone; nowhere
Is found a fowl so gracious and sincere
As to accompany your soul within
Your outward fallen hour. Yet I alone
Do mourn for you with silent chirps unmarked,
Unnoticed once when I, too, came to sing,
To dance. O how quickly fades past days gone,
And how I wish, like then, and now, thy bark
To nestle in and bring about your spring.

THIS PASSING HOUR

My thoughts have reeled both far and wide
In search of your sure countenance.
I'm stunned by my thought's maintenance
Wherein your beauty still abides.
That simple look I stole from far away.
That gentle glance that passsed from your own eye
That first night I beheld you--what a sigh
My heart beat out that wond'rous day.
O how we met, though we had met before,
No ineffable romance on that distant shore.
So foreign, foreign was our love,
We saw it as we view our God above:
In faith we moved toward devotion,
Lost within that graced emotion
That brought us to be one in time,
As in time's warm effulgent breast
We gently moved and forward pressed
Until we reached this state sublime.
And when I think upon your mind
That opened up a brave new world
For my own life, in yours refined,
I praise my God for blessings thus bestowed!
Great is the giver of the life
As is the life his masterpiece.
The Master Sculptor, sculpt my wife
In mind and spirit, beauty leased for all the world to see,
And I to hold.
What of the world,
Who cares for recognition?
You have stole my heart and I petition
Day and night to seal you mine, and I yours,
Throughout that timeless tale--
Eternity.
To think upon those walks that we first took
Beside a simple road or bumbling brook.
It all was heaven! Heaven I could see!
Each step I took when you were next to me,
Though on cold concrete,
T'was like Arcady!
Those times we talked upon the thinking stump,
The view outstretched that lies before us still.
To speak of life and life's grand winding rill,
And plunge into the depths of our minds' sea.
To think of feelings deep within us stirred,
When flesh was mixed of flesh
And brought forth fruit--
The offspring of a queen and of a fool
That proved as like the former most astute.
(And might I add, our babes were rather cute).
And when we kneeled, each time as had before,
Upon the mountain top
We saw the shore--
The endless sands of Abraham.
And when I think of you and I and this,
We kiss the kiss of happiness of bliss,
And dance about in grand celestial ways
That carries on beyond our mortal days.
Each flirting touch, each passioned smile, each glance
Of wild eyes in ecstasy; romance
That lives in one another's arms.
To have a knowledge of the truth:
In Christ we find eternal youth
And in His home we find a binding love
That will transcend us through His courts above
Wherein we prove the passions of our age
Clothed within a pureness all arrayed
In love, devotion, admiration sweet,
A romance fit for gods, we're now complete.
For as I look upon you in the grave
I cannot help but give my God such praise
Knowing you'll be His but for a time,
Then eternally you will be mine--
And we theirs.

RESTORATION

The evening hours blossom as a rose
Before it wilts within the dark of night
And shadows lengthen with somber repose
Upon the wooded hillside in twilight.
Amid the silhouettes of nature's fleece
There kneels a woman long since past her prime
Who inward searches for a lasting peace
To make such sorrows settled seem sublime.
Her hands both frail and old caress the stone
With loving words etched carefully in place.
She kneels before the grave as if a throne
Upon which sits a king who's full of grace.
A tear drop shimmers from her wrinkled eye
And weary rests upon her moistened cheek.
Her love, though twenty years passed since he died,
has grown more fond each day and passing week.
And in her heart her feelings brightly burn,
And in her mind her memories reflect
Upon the days when younger hearts had yearned,
Matured through years into common respect,
And in old age achieved a love that's pure.
She wipes away her tears with praying hands--
Her frail, old hands, from constant work grown sore,
A soreness that devotion thus demands.
For on the lonely hillside but few sleep
And none are paid to keep a constant care,
And fewer still frequent this place to weep,
For 'tis an ancient cemet'ry laid bare.
And so her hands the noxious weeds repel,
And with her hands the wind-swept dirt's removed,
And with her hands she plants the flow'rs as well
And prunes them, thus her constant love to prove.
And as she kneels within the hast'ning hours
With hands held in an attitude of pray'r,
Her gentle lips supplicate heaven's pow'rs
And her moist eyes produce a throng of tears.
The night wind blows across the woman's chest
As rouged kissed sky vanishes in the dark,
And gratitude sinks deep within her breast
As she envisions hands that bear the mark
Of He whose death lasted not e'en three days
Before His body rose out of the tomb.
And so it is, her lips offer such praise
For the Begotten Son of Mary's womb.
For through the resurrection of the Christ
The woman's hope and faith is made assured,
For with His death the law has been sufficed
And with His life, her love will be restored.

Coming to Terms?

2009-11-04T22:27:00.000-08:00

It has dawned on me recently that I am ready for a real change in my life--not the superficial changes that occur so frequently in life, but a life altering change. I think that I am done with bachelorhood--it has had a good run. . . I've really enjoyed it, but I am thinking that it is time for me to take dating more seriously and to ditch my inhibitions. I have mastered my current responsibilities and frankly have become bored with the lack of challenge that single life offers. It is really a selfish stage in life and I feel that I have reached a plateau in my progression. I've accomplished everything that I have wanted to accomplish during my single years: full-time mission (check), attend the temple (check), Bachelor's degree (check), Master's degree (check), Career as an educator (check), Backpack Europe (check), Road-trip through National Parks in the Western United States (check), Purchase a home (check), stay out of debt--with exception of home and car (check), actively serve in the church (check), enjoy the bachelor life (check), and etc., etc., etc. Everything that I have wanted to accomplish I have achieved. And honestly, the things that have been so exciting about being single in the past are simply mundane. As much as I enjoy social events catered toward singles, the events are old-hat, worn out, routine. Honestly, I could care less about attending parties or other social functions designed to mingle with the masses. I would much rather spend time with a smaller crowd of people that I actually care about than rub shoulders with people who are so concerned with the upkeep of image and the endless attempt to impress the myriad crowds or blindly seek out some unknown soul at some event or other. . . blah, blah, blah. . . it is all so cliche to me at this point. I'm not saying that I don't like to go out and have fun, to enjoy life, and all--I do, but honestly, there is more to life than this--I've been there and done that, over and over again--it is time to move on.
Please, do not misunderstand me--this is no sign of desperation and I do not intend to play the part of a fool and rush into a pathetic relationship simply for a relationship's sake. I shall be ever vigilant in discovering and dating a woman whom will be worthy of my time and energy, and with whom I will be worthy of her time and energy in return. What I mean is that it is time for me to give up my silly excuses of the past and simply be serious and honest about the concept of dating and relationships. It is more a revelation of maturity more so than anything else of which I can think. The following is a partial list of recent experiences that have helped me to arrive at my current conclusion:

A SATURDAY AFTERNOON WITH KIDS:
A few weeks ago I was supposed to go kayaking with a female friend of mine (a beautiful and respectable woman with a lot of great qualities--but don't get too excited, she is in a serious relationship) which fell through because of a commitment to babysit her nieces. As an alternative, we decided to meet up and take the kids up to Baldy Village to explore some replica's of Native American structures and then go for a little hike up Ice House Canyon. I had a blast carrying the one year old on my back (using one of those baby-backpacks) and exploring with the other niece around the creek, perceiving the world through the eyes of a child again, enjoying life--the crisp autumn air, the swarms of ladybugs, the changing leaves, the flowing water of the creek, and of course, good company and conversation. It was almost as if it were a small taste of family life and I enjoyed it immensely! It is not the first time that I have been around children--after all, I do have 18 nieces and nephews that I love dearly and have had the opportunity to spend a lot of time with--both having fun and taking care of (you know, those times when kids are not so fun). As such, I have always done well with children, but this was a form of validation if you will--it does not have to be blood relations for me to get along with kids. This has caused me to reevaluate my perspective on dating women with children (it is still not preferred but is it really fair for me to rule them out all together?).

A TUESDAY NIGHT WITH MARRIED FRIENDS:
The other night I met up with some of the friends that I grew up with in the same neighborhood, two of which are now married. We ended up going to a Tae kwan do class for his young son. It was awesome to see how proud my friend was of his son and how involved he is in taking an interest in and supporting his son's life. He is a great father who is building his son up, offering him every opportunity to experience a good and healthy life with which to give him the tools to navigate through life confidently and competently. There is a time and place for everything--time for one's self, time for one's spouse, and time for one's kids. He is there for his kids at the moments that his kids are looking for his approval and interest. It is a selfless challenge, offering up of one's time and attention. My life has nothing like that--no immediate responsibility outside of myself. Needless to say, I have discovered that living solely for myself is a pathetic existence.

A HALLOWEEN AT HOME:
Since I have purchased a home I felt that it is my responsibility to do my part in perpetuating the Halloween holiday by giving out candy. Halloween is first and foremost a children's holiday. I figured that I could pass out candy for the first few hours of darkness then go out and join whatever party or dance suited my fancy. As the trick-or-treaters began to decline in numbers (and there were a lot of them in my neighborhood) I received a text from a friend of mine stating that she really didn't feel like going out that evening and asking what I was up to. I invited her over and we opted on staying in and having a great conversation that lasted several hours. A few other friends eventually stopped by and it resulted in a pleasant evening. Once more, the idea of spending quality time with people that I actually care about, making connections, was far more fulfilling to me than mingling with a lot of acquaintances and strangers. Once again, each has its time and place (sometimes it is necessary to get out and meet new people in order to receive new perspectives and form new friendships), but this night was great for actually strengthening conncetions with friends.

A NIGHT AT A CONCERT:
I have a friend for whom I have great esteem. She happens to be the most well-rounded and insightful woman that I have ever come to know and exhibits a variety of qualities that I truly admire in a woman. Having come to know her has been both a blessing and a curse: a blessing as she has influenced my life for the better in countless ways that has allowed me to grow and mature, and a curse in that having come to know her I have fallen in the trap of taking other women on dates and then measuring them against this friend. Perhaps I have passed up a number of great women because I wanted someone more like this friend. A couple of months ago this friend and I had limited contact with one another for a couple of months. It made me realize how much I missed that contact and connection. It was at this point that I admitted to myself that I truly felt that this friend is the "best" woman that I have ever known and I was reminded of a few lines in a poem I had written years ago on relationships: "The deepest things within us can't be pressed / By one who wants the other to confess / Of all that deep within them may reside, / For this is given freely or denied. / That which we truly love is rarely seen, / For eyes know not just where the heart has been, / And one who seems a friend more than the rest / Is where love is and where it's hidden best." I had decided then and there that if I truly felt that she was the best woman I have ever come across, then I had ought to pursue her as far as she will allow me (this would be no easy feat as I had attempted to date her once before, a couple of years ago, and I could not elicit any feeling within her). I felt a great sense of confidence in my decision to make a pursuit and discover, without expectation, where it may lead.
So I asked her if I could take her out and she consented. I settled upon taking her to a concert by a particular performer that shares her same cultural heritage. As such, I did a little research via the internet regarding the dating customs of this particular culture in order to create a theme for the evening. According to what I had read, it is customary for a man to bring a single rose, even on a first date (taboo in American culture--roses are not generally used until after a romantic connection has been made) and to walk arm in arm with the lady. So I gave her a rose with a little note translated into her native language (it was a variation on a little joke she had told me when we had first met--I figured it would take the edge off if offering a rose was too forward). The evening was great--I could not ask for a better woman to be with. As always, she was stunningly beautiful (that is actually one of the things that gets to me--over the past two years we have been but friends and yet every time the two of us get together to do something, she dresses up in such a manner that I am left awestruck of her beauty and must do all within my power to suppress desire--it is a cruel joke on her part. . . she plays the Goddess and I Tantalus suffering with something so inviting before me yet forbidden to grasp). I enjoyed our conversation, and the concert itself was nothing short of amazing! As we walked from the theater to the car I offered her my arm and created an awkward moment as she refused. I cannot fault her for simply acting on the way that she feels but that does not lessen the pain of knowing that the very person I most respect and admire is repulsed by my very being. That any form of physical touch should be so abhorred speaks volumes. Having been put in my place, we were able to move on and enjoy the remainder of the evening together. We had a wonderful conversation for several hours after this point without any awkwardness at all, but I dared not speak of what feelings I did have and my intentions to pursue her as far as she would allow, considering that her actions already proved how far that would be--I had already reached my limit (she has certainly sent many additional clues that say as much--I'm glad I did not express anything that I was desiring to at the beginning of the evening as that would have made things really awkward and may have damaged the friendship). Needless to say, this has caused me to reevaluate my stance on dating friends--I will certainly have to make a move before a relationship enters the "friend" zone.

A RELATIONSHIP ENDED
A good friend of mine recently broke up with his girlfriend of two years. Their relationship arrived at the point where only two options remained: get married or break up. Despite the fact that they both deeply love one another, the break up won out. I do not fault either party in the relationship--one must respect how another feels, no matter how much that hurts. I truly respect both individuals--they are both great people and I am sad that it didn't work out for them (I think they would be good for one another). It has become clear to me that things don't always work out the way that we want them or perhaps even how we perceive that they should. Maturity and responsibilty is to be found in how we handle situations which are beyond our control but have a direct correlation to our lives. Learning to accept things the way that they are, when they are beyond our control, is a difficult challenge. It is always seemingly easier when we have the power to act--to make or break something based upon what we do or say for ourselves, but human interaction requires the thoughts, feelings, words, and actions of both people. Any form of manipulation is immature and unacceptable. I am happy to say that both individuals mentioned above are mature enough to avoid attempts at manipulation. This is more a cautionary tale for myself. While I may tire of the bachelor lifestyle, sometimes it is not a choice and I will have to deal with its reality in a mature manner.

Wow, this is really becoming a long post. There are so many more thoughts and insights on the matter, but I will save that for discussions with friends who wish to address the topic. Needless to say, I feel that I am ready for a change, but that doesn't guarantee that a change will occur. It is time to reevaluate my thinking concerning these matters and determine what is of value and what needs to be adapted, discarded, or implemented. We shall see what happens as I reshape my ideology and approach to dating and relationships within the next year.

Angels Baseball--Going for it all!!!

2009-10-14T22:14:00.000-07:00

I know that I have a lot of friends who are Dodgers fans and that is fine. I like the Dodgers, I really do. But I love the Angels. My greatest hope is that the Angels and Dodgers will meet in the World Series this year with the Angels winning it all. I don't want a sweep--that would be boring (although sweeping Boston was not at all boring--I was extremely happy about getting that monkey off of our back). Rather, I would like it to go 7 games with the Dodgers up by two runs in the ninth with the Angels bouncing back like the Twins-Tigers one game playoff, sending the game into extra innings with the Angels winning it all with a walk off grand slam. That would be awesome! by the way, anyone who is interested--my home is open to any baseball playoff game that you would like to attend--I'm not a huge fan during the regular season, but there is something about playoff baseball that gets me hooked, no matter who is playing. . . and especially when the Angels are playing. So lets grab some grub and catch a game--spontaneous playoff parties shall abound at my house--drop on by!!!

The Geico Caveman Is No More. . .

2009-10-03T19:13:00.000-07:00

I received a haircut today and ended up shaving my beard, and I must say, I am looking GOOD! :) Needless to say, my Geico Caveman looking days are over and I suddenly look a lot younger. I'm thinking come Monday I may show up to work in jeans and a soccer jersey, take a seat among my students, and see how long it takes for them to recognize me. . . :) Post your estimates in the comment section if you like. My prediction: 2 minutes, 43 seconds.

Ladder Canyon

2009-09-28T15:55:00.000-07:00

My good friend, Jake Olmstead, will soon be taking a five week course to prepare for the LSAT exam. He has proclaimed that we will not see him during this stretch as he focuses upon his studies. As such, I thought it would be nice to get one more camping trip in before he disappears. So I asked Jake where he would like to go. . . he chose Ladder Canyon. I was trying to convince him of some mountain location where it would be cooler but Jake was adamant on Ladder Canyon, so I set it up. I invited only a handful of people for this event (the criteria for the invitation was two-fold: people I thought would enjoy such a trip and people that I thought were in good enough condition to make such a trip. If you received an invitation, you should feel honored that you made the short list; if you did not receive an invitation, do not be offended--honest reflection will reveal that one of the two criteria does not match). Keep in mind, this location has no campsites, no bathrooms, no amenities. It is backpacking through a canyon and finding some random place that looks suitable to throw down one's sleeping bags and call it a night.
The trip began later than anticipated and consisted of four guys--Jake Olmstead, Tony Aguilar, Ryan Morgan, and myself. We were hoping to leave by 3:30 but did not depart until 5:30. After taking the long route to get to the trailhead (sorry guys--I forgot that there are two separate exits to hwy 111 from the 10 fwy) we arrived and began backpacking sometime around 9 p.m.
It was nice hiking through the slot canyon in the dark--it made it more mysterious and adventuresome for those who had not been before. It was still hot and we had to consume a lot of water to stay hydrated. Tony had a sudden epiphany when we came upon the first ladder used to ascend a precipice. It was humorous to see his reaction as he finally put two and two together--the name of the canyon and the reality of ladders being used throughout the canyon. We met a nice little bat who was clinging to the canyon wall upon our ascent--he was chillin' and didn't seem too bothered by our presence, allowing me to take a few pictures before we continued on our way.
Once we were atop the plateau we hiked until we discovered a relatively flat location with as few rocks as possible to make camp. We ended up playing cards and talking for several hours before discussing the constellations. Ryan actually knows a bit about the stars and pointed out several celestial sights. Once he was done imparting his knowledge I picked up with my own "constellations" (nothing real, just what particular groupings of stars look like to me) and the others joined in as we created some fantastical images in the heavens.
We finally attempted to sleep, having no tent and spread out where ever we chose to throw our sleeping bags down. It was sometime around 3 a.m. when we made the attempt: Jake and Tony continued their discussion for another hour or so. One might imagine my surprise when the two finally fell silent--at last, I might actually get some sleep! But no, fifteen minutes after it fell silent I heard Tony exclaim: "What size football should I get?" Are you kidding me, Tony! At last I thought I would be able to sleep and I am denied with talk of what size football you want! This started off a whole new round of discussion between the two. Needless to say, I would chime in with some whimsical comment or other when they left the door open for such during the conversation. When the talking did cease I was interrupted by someone's brief snoring. Fortunately, that did not last long and I was able to get about an hour of rest in before the sun rose and made sleeping impossible with its hellish combination of light and heat. We decided it best to get out of there as soon as possible as we did not want to be hiking in the desert in the midday sun.
Once we had arrived back at the car we drove to the North Shore of the Salton Sea. We were disappointed with the fact that they have demolished the old abandoned motel and seem to be renovating the old club building on the shore. Beforehand it seemed as if this location was a vision of a nuclear holocaust--erie in its decrepit and lonesome state, but now that effect was gone with the vanishing of the abandoned buildings (that we would explore in the past) and the fact that people were actually at this location doing some fishing (I don't know what the world one would expect to catch in the Salton Sea, but whatever it may be, there is no way that I would eat it--that lake has the smell of death and decay and is downright nasty). The playground that is half buried in the sand is still there and the abandoned marina still exists but even that has had parts removed. It just is not like the empty, erie feeling that it conveyed the first time I had been there years ago when James Morris and I went down to explore and do some photography.
At last we arrived home and before they departed, Tony and Jake wanted to play some video games. Jake was checking his facebook account before playing and remained logged in when he was distracted by the game, giving me perfect opportunity to get some paybacks. About a month ago, Jake and I were at the gym when I received a text. I was lifting some weights at the time so jake grabbed the phone and responded to it. Without the person on the receiving end knowing that it was Jake replying, he sent some texts that made it sound like I had a man-crush on Jake. Fortunately, the girl on the receiving end understood when I later had to make some clarifications as to what had happened and that it was not me sending these homo-erotic messages. Needless to say, payback was sweet! I left a nice little message on Jake's homepage about how he had returned from camping with an epiphany that Tony is a sexy man. . . that he realized this when the two were looking at the stars and gazing into one another's eyes, and that sharing a sleeping bag together produced a conflict between his body and mind. . . "My mind was telling me no, but my body. . . MY BODY. . ." Needless to say, it took a few hours with friends commenting on his post before he discovered the prank. Jake has since removed the content from his facebook page and has vowed to get vengeance! Bring it on, Jake. Bring it on!

In Honor of Keats

2009-09-20T22:40:00.000-07:00

So, I was reading through various friends' blogs when I came upon the trailer for "Bright Star" (thanks for posting this Liz). I'm not often drawn to films of romance (though some are good and worth watching) but this film is about one of my favorite poets of all time: John Keats (in truth, he is second only to Wordsworth and had Keats lived longer to write more verse he very well may have eclipsed Wordsworth). Hence, I must see it!

Needless to say, I should like to post a few poems written by John Keats in his honor (keep in mind he only lived to the age of 24--amazing work for such a young man).

TO ONE WHO HAS BEEN LONG IN CITY PENT

To one who has been long in city pent,
'Tis very sweet to look into the fair
And open face of heaven--to breath a prayer
Full in the smile of the blue firmament.
Who is more happy, when, with heart's content,
Fatigued he sinks into some pleasant lair
Of wavy grass, and reads a debonair
And gentle tale of love and languishment?
Returning home at evening, with an ear
Catching the notes of Philomel--an eye
Watching the sailing cloudlet's bright career,
He mourns that day so soon has glided by:
E'en like the passage of an angel's tear
That falls through the clear ether silently.

BRIGHT STAR! WOULD I WERE STEADFAST AS THOU ART

Bright star! Would I were steadfast as thou art--
Not in lone splendour hung aloft the night
And watching, with eternal lids apart,
Like nature's patient, sleepless Eremite,
The moving waters at their priestlike task
Of pure ablution round earth's human shores,
Or gazing on the new soft-fallen mask
Of snow upon the mountains and the moors--
No--yet still steadfast, still unchangeable,
Pillowed upon my fair love's ripening breast,
To feel for ever its soft swell and fall,
Awake for ever in a sweet unrest,
Still, still to hear her tender-taken breath,
And so live ever--or else swoon to death.

WHEN I HAVE FEARS THAT I MAY CEASE TO BE

When I have fears that I may cease to be
Before my pen has gleaned my teeming brain,
Before high-piled books, in charactery,
Hold like rich garners the full-ripened grain;
When I behold upon the night's starred face,
Huge cloudy symbols of a high romance,
And think that I may never live to trace
Their shadows with the magic hand of chance;
And when I feel, fair creature of an hour!
That I shall never look upon thee more,
Never have relish in the faery power
Of unreflecting love!-then on the shore
Of the wide world I stand alone, and think
Till love and fame to nothingness do sink.

YOU SAY YOU LOVE

You say you love; but with a voice
Chaster than a nun's, who singeth
The soft Vespers to herself
While the chime-bell ringeth--
O love me truly!

You say you love; but with a smile
Cold as sunrise in September,
As you were Saint Cupid's nun,
And kept his weeks of Ember.
O love me truly!

You say you love--but then your lips
Coral tinted teach no blisses,
More than coral in the sea--
They never pout for kisses--
O love me truly!

You say you love; but then your hand
No soft squeeze for squeeze returneth,
It is like a statue's dead--
While mine to passion burneth--
O love me truly!

O breathe a word or two of fire!
Smile, as if those words should burn me,
Squeeze as lovers should--O kiss
And in my heart inurn me!
O love me truly!

from ENDYMION

A thing of beauty is a joy for ever:
Its loveliness increases; it will never
Pass into nothingness; but still will keep
A bower quiet for us, and a sleep
Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing.
Therefore, on every morrow, are we wreathing
A flowery band to bind us to the earth,
Spite of despondence, of the inhuman dearth
Of noble natures, of the gloomy days,
Of all the unhealthy and o'er-darkened ways
Made for our searching: yes, in spite of all,
Some shape of beauty moves away the pall
From our dark spirits. . .

And there are so many more poems that are just breathtakingly awesome! Keats' Odes are amazing (you really must read them--they are just to long for me to type them all up, especially at this late hour when I should be dreaming. Let me know which of Keats' poems is among your favorite, and do yourself a favor and go see this movie (I hope it is good--I will be sorely disappointed if they screw Keats up).

Should it Stay or Should it Go?

2009-09-10T22:08:00.000-07:00

My hair is officially the longest that it has ever been and I have been getting mixed commentary about it. Some people absolutely love it while others utterly detest it. I figured that I would grow out the beard as well, just to make myself look completely different. Honestly, I feel like I am ready cut my hair and go clean shaven, but a part of me wants to keep growing it out just to see how bad it can get. What do you think? (and don't worry, I am not easily offended so feel free to be candid).

The Woman Of My Dreams

2009-08-26T00:11:00.000-07:00

The woman of my dreams. . . hmmmm. . . I can only imagine what you are thinking in this particular moment as you read this title. Perhaps there are a number of questions floating through your mind: What is the woman of his dreams (what characteristics and attributes does she exhibit)? Who is the woman of his dreams (is it someone famous used as a model for such a woman or a real, everyday individual that he actually knows)? Has he found the woman of his dreams (Has he become acquainted with this woman, is he friends with this woman, is he dating this woman)? How has the woman of his dreams responded to him (is she indifferent to him, has she rejected him, is she flirtatious with him, has she fallen for him)? Is he going to write about the woman of his dreams (is it simply an ideal that he is going to write about--not an actual person, but the attributes and characteristics of what he would like most in a woman)? Does the woman of his dreams exist? and etc. Well, pick whichever one intrigues you the most and brace yourself. . .
The woman of my dreams of which I write is none of these, but is literally the woman of my dream (my apologies to all of you with inquiring minds that really wanted to know. . .). I awoke a couple of days ago from an interesting dream. The truth of the matter is that the dream itself was nothing unrealistic or out of the ordinary--probably a dream that most people would promptly forget by mid-morning. But it was precisely the dream's simplicity that struck me; that, and the fact that this particular woman mentioned that she was from a town which I had never heard of before but upon awaking knew that it must exist, so I looked up Sjöviken, Sweden and sure enough it is a small community on the eastern shore of Sweden, not too far from Sundsvall. So, "who cares?", one may ask. I will make the connection for you later.
I enjoy creative writing, whether it be poetry, short stories, tales, or what have you. Finding time, inspiration, and the right language and structure to write can be daunting. I saw in this dream an opportunity to write.

Kvinnan Från Sjövik *

In the phantasmagoric realm of sleep
I saw myself descending down a steep
And winding street with houses bright
In Skandinavisk style,
Which led to such an awe-inspired sight
That words, too weak, would defile
The sacredness of such a view.

Happiness enveloped my whole being,
Rejuvenated by this moment, freeing
All the discord one may hold inside.
I walked, face to the sky,
Exulting in a moment oft denied
By worldly cares that oft belie
The sacred nature of our souls.

My friends walked onward, leaving me behind,
A simple soul left lonely to unwind
Within the thriving summer air.
I looked out t’ward the sea—
A tranquil bay reflecting the sun’s glare
Made my heart dance inside of me
Some strange diverting jig.

And in this moment who should then appear
But some fair maiden with her hiking gear,
Petite and healthy, on a stroll,
Backpacking as travelers do
Through foreign streets, picturesque and beautiful,
Experiencing something new.
We caught each other’s glance.

Walking onward, side by side, we spoke
Of treasures the world hides beneath its cloak
And all we’ve hidden deep within
Our hearts and in our minds.
It seemed to me with her all life begins
To unfold mysteries we find
Too simple to ignore.

But as is oft the case with sudden dreams
The light of sleep unraveled at its seems—
To morning silence I awoke.
To bring her back, ah please!
What torture my unconsciousness evokes
To dream up one who lives beside the seas
On Sweden’s central shores.
The last words that I heard her speak:
“Jag bor I sjövik”**

--Brett Hall
August 24, 2009

*Kvinnan från Sjövik (Swedish: The woman from Sjövik)
** Jag bor i Sjövik (Swedish: I live in Sjövik)

Alright, so you are probably wondering why the sudden jump to the poem and why the poem ends abruptly. . . well, it is just like a dream--it materializes suddenly and just as quickly ends. So, why write of this and why the fascination? Let me explain a little.
Several years ago I had many young nieces and nephews who would often visit my parents' home. Those of you who know me well are familiar with some trolls that I have purchased from norway. As a form of entertainment I used to gather around my nieces and nephews who were interested at the moment and take my trolls and offer troll stories. The kids would line up on the edge of a bed and I would take a chair facing them and with trolls in hand would begin some fantastical tale or another as if the trolls were speaking themselves (I'd use specific voices for each troll and pounce the troll around as if he were real and speaking to the kids--I know, I know, many of you are terrified of the trolls and have a hard time believing that I would subject my nieces and nephews to such scary creatures, but that is a learned response, and the kids were actually endeared to the trolls and would beg me for troll stories when they saw me). I made up several troll stories on the spot and the kids would often give suggestions as to what the story should be about (my nieces particularly enjoyed stories that involved princesses and berries). I even purchased trolls for each of my nieces and nephews one Christmas and wrote them their own stories to go with the troll. But I digress. The point is, during this time period I also wrote a number of "folktales" which I didn't share with my nieces and nephews as they did not fit their age range at the time. My dream having come across a woman from Sjöviken, Sweden reminded me of one such tale that I placed in a nearby location: Sundsvall. Needless to say, here is the tale:

The Maiden at Sundsvall

Once long ago, in the coastal town of Sundsvall, there lived a young woman who would look upon the sea and dream up stories and songs within her head. She would arise early each morning and stumble through the darkness from her cottage to her favorite spot upon the coast—a large boulder which she would climb atop and view the rising of the sun as the morning waves would gently summon it from sleep with their rhythmic lapping upon the rocks below. She would attend to her duties by day, but always she set aside time enough to return to the boulder before sunset and view the evening hues as the sun descended beneath the forested hills that lay inland.
The young woman’s beauty was no secret, yet her character was greater still which caused all the young men throughout the region to swoon at the mention of her name. She was modest and showed her love for friends and family both in word and deed. She was unaware of the effect that she had upon men as most were too shy to approach her or to express how they truly felt. Thus, she continued on her daily course of life dreaming and reflecting upon the joys which surrounded her—the simple pleasures of nature and family.
One morning, as she ascended the boulder in the morning twilight, she was surprised at the sight of a figure sitting in the darkness. Startled, she froze upon the ledge staring at the man who sat motionless looking out upon the vast ocean to the emerald horizon. After a moment’s hesitation she resumed her course and sat next to the man. Neither spoke as they peered out upon the blissful scene. The sky began to illuminate and the shadows of the distant clouds were outlined with rose-colored hues and silver reflections. Alas, the first rays of the morning sun shot across the water, skipping back and forth upon the waves in route to the couple’s vision. The waves beneath the precipice rumbled to and fro with a delightful ditty and the morning birds took flight from the bosom of the sea.
“It is a glorious scene and a harmonious sound that awakens the earth to a new day,” said the man.
“Indeed, it refreshes the soul and makes life worth living,” she responded.
They sat for some time beneath the morning clouds chatting upon the scene and upon life whereupon it was revealed that he was an aspiring composer. He looked upon the beauty of the morning dawn and the beauty of the woman’s nature as the world around them sung in exultation.
“I should like to capture your beauty and this scene within the notes of a grand symphony, whereupon this moment may be immortalized in my composition, if you will allow me to do so,” he softly said. She consented and they met each morning thereafter to enjoy the dawning of the day, to discuss life, and for the young man to drink of the inspiration which would move him to compose his masterpiece. He was very skilled in various instruments and would play one for her each morning upon the boulder, shewing forth his progress, and indeed it was lovely.
On the very evening which the young woman met this man she returned to the boulder to ponder upon her labor for the day and upon life as she would enjoy the inspiring scenes of nature at the day’s end. The long afternoon shadows stretched far across the earth and all the world seemed to glitter and shine with the spectacular evening hues. She began to ascend the boulder wherein she would take in the scene as a whole and with the parting of the sun call the day complete. As she reached the top she noticed a man, different from the first, sitting atop her prized location. What a strange surprise she beheld! Bewilderedly, she finished her ascent and sat next to the man, both staring out upon the forested hills, which extended endlessly inland. The evening birds took flight from their nests and the leaves sparkled as they fluttered in the wind quickly eclipsing the evening sunlight. The treetops swayed in a tireless dance and the sky was aflame from the burning clouds. The sun wrapped itself in the bosom of the earth and the light faded into the perpetual darkness.
“It is a wondrous spectacle to behold when in the earth’s bosom the sun doth fold,” said the man.
“Indeed, it rejuvenates the mind and make life complete,” she responded.
They sat for some time beneath the evening stars chatting upon the scene and upon life whereupon it was revealed that he was an aspiring poet. He looked upon the beauty of the evening mist and the beauty of the woman’s nature as the world around them gracefully embraced the shadows.
“I should like to capture your beauty and this scene within the words of an epic poem, whereupon this moment may be canonized in my composition, if you will allow me to do so,” he softly said. She consented and they met each evening thereafter to enjoy the closing of the day, to discuss life, and for the young man to drink of the inspiration which would move him to write his masterpiece. He was very skilled with words and would recite for her each evening upon the boulder, shewing forth his progress, and indeed it was lovely.
So it was that each man continued to meet with the maiden upon the boulder at their respective hours. The first man composed such soothing music which brought peace and tranquility to her soul, and the second man wrote such beautiful poetry which brought excitement and joy to her heart. After some time, the two men desired to marry the young maiden, and each increased his efforts to woo her.
They both would present to her the depths of their minds in the respective mediums that they used. Each would state that they would produce the most elegant and beautiful works for her and indeed they showered her with the greatest pieces of music and poetry that she had ever experienced. She thought that both men were great and wonderfully talented which left her all the more confused as to who she should marry. As a result, she asked the two men not to join her for the next few weeks upon the boulder in the morning or in the evening so that she could be alone in those tranquil scenes and ponder upon their propositions. The two men agreed and alone sat the maiden each morning for the rising of the sun and each evening for its setting.
Early one morning during this time a third man appeared upon the boulder. He said nothing as she climbed the boulder’s height and neither spoke as they watched the sunrise and enjoyed the whispers of nature. The sky was ablaze when the young lady arose to return to her daily chores. She returned in the evening to view the sunset and to her surprise the man was still stalwartly sitting upon the precipice. Once more they sat in silence viewing the setting sun and enjoying the silent sounds of nature’s voice. The stars appeared one by one until thousands of them littered the sky. The young woman arose to return home for the night and the man, still sitting, asked, “What is it you have been thinking about?” The maiden sat back down and explained how the composer and the poet produced such great things from their minds which they gave to her and how beautiful their works were and how she could not decide who she would marry.
“Do you perhaps compose music or write poetry?” The man asked.
“O no,” the maiden responded. “I would love to learn how to produce such beautiful things but the men have only produced them for me.”
“I see,” said the man. “Then I shall teach you to both compose and write the things of your mind and heart so that you too may produce such beautiful works.”
The third man and the maiden met each morning and each evening upon the boulder to greet and bid farewell to the sun, to enjoy the soft voice of nature, to discuss life and to learn how to compose and write the things of the maiden’s heart and mind. Before long she too produced the most peaceful compositions and the most beautiful poems. Once more the fair woman sat upon the boulder as Sundsvall singing her songs and making up her stories as she listened to the morning waves summon the sun from sleep and as she felt the evening wind blow the day beneath the forested hills. The vibrant hues and the soft tones of the world about her were peaceful and inspiring. The wind brought with it a chill that was warmed by her husband’s embrace and hers was a feeling of happiness.

--Brett Hall
December 26, 2000

Needless to say, I wrote several tales based upon the Scandinavian style of folklore between the years 1999 and 2002. I think that I need to take up this form of creative writing once again. What do you think?

My Garden and A Community Garden Ready To Go!!!

2009-08-24T11:22:00.000-07:00

My labors in my yard have had a mixed result. My garden continues to flourish as I am now beginning to have many of the plants produce. Unfortunately, the grass in my backyard has not been doing well. It was all dead when I moved in and I immediately began watering to bring it back. The result: it came back patchy and full of weeds. As a result, I have decided to start over. I have stopped watering, allowing the grass to die and I will tear it up and reseed. I think that it will be for the best in the long run. Expensive, yes, but in the end I think it will be worth it.
I have already spent several hours tearing up some of the lawn to extend/create a new garden. This can be seen in the photo with my garden towards the back and the dirt in rows at the forefront (last photo on this posting). This new section of the garden is designed for "community" use (or in other words, any friends who are interested may plant whatever they like--just let me know how many rows you would like, purchase your seed, and come on over and plant what you like). Please let me know as soon as possible if you would like to use some of the land and we can work out the details (you may want to research Fall crops; all you need to do is plant, fertilize, and occasionally weed your section--give me the watering schedule you would like and I will take care of the day-to-day maintenance).
The photographs above are of the following:
Photo #1: Herb Garden (from left to right, back to front): Basil, Sage, Rosemary, Oregano, Dill, Parsley, Thyme, Chives, Mint.
Photo #2: Main Garden: Yellow Squash
Photo #3: Main Garden: Butternut Squash
Photo #4: Main Garden: Lima Bean
Photo #5: Main Garden: Tomato
Photo #6: Main Garden: Corn (and other plants in the background)
Photo #7: Perimeter: Grapes (Already planted before I moved in)
Photo #8: Main Garden: Pepper
Photo #9: Main Garden: Beets
Photo #10: Main Garden/Community Garden: The full main garden is seen in the background/the furrows of the unplanted, developed land that others (such as yourself, if you like) may use to have your own garden space).

*Items not photographed include the following:
--from the Main Garden: Radish, Carrot, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Basil, Dill, Chives, Lettuce, Spinach, Lavender, Watermelon.
--from Side Gardens: Strawberries, Blackberries, Raspberries, Tarragon, Basil, Squash, Cucumber.
--from Perimeter Fruit Trees: Lemon, Valencia Orange, Mandarin Orange, Avocado, Apple, Pear, Apricot, Peach.
--from New Garden: This garden is not photographed but is located in the north-east corner (the main garden is located on the western wall). I have just planted various crops in this location--will have to see what actually germinates.
--Potted: Flowers.

**Please let me know ASAP if you would like to use a portion of the community garden.

The Age of Vicarious Living

2009-08-19T00:21:00.001-07:00

. . . And it suddenly struck me,
Sitting downstairs in the midnight hour--
Silence. . .
A sudden Shriek in the distance--
A train whining in the darkness,
Pushing along a predetermined route.
Silence. . .
A sudden epiphany shrieking through my mind--
It is all around me
--Surrounded--

De-
Tached. . .

Vicariously living on a shelf,
Within a screen,
Through a speaker. . .

Living someone else's lyrics,
Watching someone else's life,
Reading someone else's thoughts. . .

A consumer nation
Recycling originality--
[Repackaged]
Seemingly new,
Regrettably old.
We've sacrificed the best of us--
Mere convenience.
Comatose in a sheltered sphere,
Living Vicariously. . .

--Brett Hall
August 19, 2009

Favorite 2009 Album Releases

2009-08-17T09:44:00.000-07:00

2009 is a good year for artists that I like coming out with albums--there is a lot of new music that I enjoy (or will soon be enjoying--some albums will be released in the next few months). Needless to say, here is a sampling of the bands that are releasing new albums in 2009 (I've featured both a-ha and Kings of Convenience before, so I've included different songs on this list--scroll back a few posts to listen to my favorite songs off of their new albums):

Regina Specktor's "Eet" from the new album "Far":

Røyksopp's "You Don't Have a Clue" from the new album "Junior":

Imogen Heap's "First Train Home" from the new album "Ellipse":

A-ha's "The Bandstand" from the new album "Foot of the Mountain":

Kings of Convenience's "Boat Behind" from the new album "Declaration of Dependence":

Ingrid Michaelson's "Maybe" from the new album "Everybody":

The Whitest Boy Alive's "Courage" from the new album "Rules":

Peter, Bjorn, and John's "Nothing to Worry About" from the new album "Living Thing":

The Radio Dept.'s "David" from the new album "Clinging to a Scheme":

The Decemberists' "The Hazards of Love, Part 1" from the new album "The Hazards of Love":

Fever Ray's "Triangle Walks" from the new album "Fever"

*Furthermore, there is a new band called "Bad Lieutenant" coming out with an album in October that I am really excited about--I can't find any of their music as of yet so I am not sure if it is any good, but the band is made up of New Order/Joy Division's Bernard Sumner and Stephen Morris, Blur's Alex James, Phil Cunningham, and Jake Evans. The album is called "Never Cry Another Tear". New Order is one of my all-time favorite bands and Blur is a great band as well, so I am super excited to find out what kind of sound they are going to produce. 2009--ah, what a great year for new albums!!!

One Hour

2009-08-10T21:31:00.000-07:00

"One hour, can't you wake and wait with me?"
He speaks in gentle tones to sleeping friends,
"Come watch with me." On this all life depends.
And yet alone he kneels beside a tree.
One hour, is it so hard? And yet they sleep.
No man on earth or heaven bears to see
The weight of worlds of sin and misery
That through each pore this blood-letting now seeps.
One hour, how easily we condemn
Disciples who could not remain awake
Though the whole earth within this moment quakes--
In doing so, our own lives we condemn.
One hour, moment of weakness when we sin--
We too asleep have failed Christ once again.

--Brett Hall
7-16-07

I have been pondering a little upon the atonement as of late (not nearly as much as I should be, but it is on my mind). The atonement of Jesus Christ is obviously something that I understand very little concerning, yet to my life--to all of our lives--it is everything. The prophet Alma simplifies the atonement into a beautiful explanation, which when I read and really think about what it is saying, it truly brings tears to my eyes. Speaking of Christ before he was even born, Alma states: "And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people. And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities. Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me." (Alma 7: 11-13). Read that again slowly, and think upon each phrase, each word, and think upon your own life experiences--each heartache, pain, or negative response that you have ever had and think upon Christ. I cannot speak for you, but for myself, there have been times when the suffering has completely isolated me from all else--an intense feeling of alone coupled with the pain--the feeling that nobody else in this moment could possibly know or understand my feelings, yet I have erred. It is exactly in those moments in times past that I have fallen upon my knees in prayer and received that succor through the Spirit. I do not understand how, but I know that Christ suffered the exact feelings that I have suffered. I am never alone and my pain is never unique. How many times have I been on my knees when the Spirit has whispered peace to my heart and mind, reminding me that my Savior understands perfectly having experienced what I am experiencing acutely. It amazes me that this includes all physical pain, mental anguish, emotional suffering, any negative feeling or response that is imaginable (and perhaps many of which are unimaginable). It is truly incredible! This includes not only the sufferings that we have brought upon ourselves, but the sufferings that have been placed upon us with no explanation as to why. The scope of the atonement is truly beyond comprehension. It covers the intense sufferings of cancer patients, the unknowable sufferings of mental patients, the most horrific accidents, but also covers the pain of a sliver or the feeling of sadness one feels when a friend is moving away. There is no emotion or feeling that Christ has not experienced through the atonement--he knows exactly how we feel. How grateful I am for this knowledge. What a comfort it provides knowing at any time I can find solace upon my knees as I petition the Lord for relief (or at least understanding--after all, sometimes the pain remains but the burden is lighter knowing that Christ understands perfectly).
And then there is sin. How often I have read the account of Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane and the apostles who were so exhausted that they could not stay awake in support of the Savior. Alone, Christ faced the challenge--truly alone. How often have I thought, "one hour--could I stay awake but one more hour if I were there? An hour isn't much time in the grand scheme of things." But the rebuke comes to my mind, how many times throughout the course of my life have I not been faithful to the savior for but an hour? Couldn't I endure the temptation but for one hour? The atonement covers our sins as well. The most heinous of sins can be forgiven through the atonement (it is not a simple confession, and would require a truly mighty change of heart but it is possible) as can the seemingly simple sins of everyday life. How often have I failed in an hour by saying an unkind word or failing to act upon the promptings of the spirit, or neglecting the commandments? What happened in that hour? How grateful I am that Christ is merciful--to know that if I humble myself with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, I can be forgiven. I have felt extreme anguish on account of my sins, knowing that I have been the cause of another's suffering (i.e. Christ) and I have also felt the exquisite joy that comes through repentance and the feeling of being redeemed, forgiven, and made whole. I know that the atonement is real--I have experienced it on countless occasions in my life and I am ever indebted to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for offering up himself on my behalf. How thankful I am for such a knowledge and for having had such experiences.
Such topics are generally not the subject of my blogs but for some reason I feel compelled to write this tonight--perhaps for my own benefit.

Santa Rosa Island

2009-08-06T22:04:00.000-07:00

I woke up Monday morning at 3 a.m. in order to shower and to have everything ready to go when Maria showed up at 3:30 so we could be on our way to pick up Jake by 4 a.m. and head out to Ventura to catch our morning boat to Santa Rosa Island. Thus began our three day adventure. The boat ride out to the island was great. It was extremely windy, creating some nice swells at times that would crash into the bow of the boat and create a huge splash. It was all fun and good to watch for most of the passengers until we hit a patch that was really crazy and the waves began to splash over the sides of the boat. People scrambled to get inside. . . I, on the other hand, stood outside and got soaked--it was awesome! The salt spray from the sea gave me a small connection to my viking ancestors. I was giddy, and Maria said that I looked and acted like a little kid. It was a great way to start the trip!
Upon arriving at the island, we had to load our gear and ourselves into little motorboat rafts to be taken to the shore (the pier on the island is under construction). We landed, got our gear, listened to some speeches from the rangers on the island and then hiked to our campsite. After all was set up we took a little nap (Jake hadn't slept the night before) and then we went exploring the beach. The water seemed warm (for pacific ocean standards) when we arrived but by the evening it was quite cold. Once it was getting dark, we decided to go for a long walk (so I called it--Jake and Maria claim it was a hike).
Upon our return we cooked up dinner and found a new friend--a spotted skunk. It was a beautifully awesome little creature who was looking for some scraps left by campers. It is obvious that it has scavenged from humans in the past as it was fearless. I first saw it as I sat on the ground with my backpacking stove. It walked within a couple of feet of me. It scared the crap out of Jake, which I found quite hilarious--he was sitting at the picnic table when the skunk snuck up on him and sniffed at Jake's feet. Jake jumped up quickly and ran from the table--it was awesome! Maria and I got a good laugh out of Jake's reaction. Later, as I was alone at the table (Jake and Maria having gone off to wash their dishes) the skunk returned, hoped up on the table, sniffing around as I was eating--it new well enough not to touch my food--just sniffing for scraps the others may have left. I reached out to the skunk to see how close I could get--yeah, it wasn't scared at all--I could have pet the thing had I wanted to, but I refrained (you never know what disease a wild animal may be carrying).
Next morning we were going to go kayaking, but the winds were so intense that it was not a good idea (I can't recall the last time the wind blew so constant and hard as it did on this trip). With kayaking out for the morning, we settled on hiking through Lobo Canyon. It was a long but fun hike (14.5 miles round trip). I think that it shattered both Jake and Maria's previous distance for hiking, but I think that they liked it overall. We all had casualties of sorts from the excursion--Maria was extremely sore afterward, Jake strained a tendon, and I ended up with blisters on my feet. Upon our return we rested before making dinner, visiting with Jake's new best friend that we aptly named Jake-lyn (the spotted skunk), and then went down to the beach for the night, telling stories, enjoying the solitude, and the good company.
The next morning we went hiking up through an area called Torrey Pines. We thought of kayaking again, but the winds never ceased, making the conditions too dangerous for inexperienced kayakers (the rangers had told us the day that we arrived that a number of kayakers have died, being swept out to sea by the strong winds and strong currents. They pointed out a bend in the island and said that once you are swept beyond that point, it is game over--the next land mass the current will take you to is Antarctica. Needless to say, since conditions did not improve while we were on the island, we opted not to use my kayaks. I'm a bit bummed about that one, but there will be plenty of other opportunities to kayak. After hiking Torrey Pines, we returned, packed up our belongings and headed back to the beach, which we enjoyed until the boat returned to pick us up. The boat ride back took us to Santa Cruz Island where we saw one of the world's largest sea caves. It was so big that the ship we were on actually sailed into the cave--it was extremely awesome. Apparently, there are kayaking tours that go through the cave--I would love the opportunity to do that in the future. Overall, it was a great trip--I would certainly do it again.
As for rating it with other camping trips that I have recently taken--it is tied with my camping trip to San Simeon/Big Sur as the best camping trip of the year. If you get a chance to go to either location--do it!

A Potpourri of Reflection

2009-08-01T13:30:00.000-07:00

So, I am supposed to be out kayaking with Cynda at the moment but I somehow managed to tweak my neck/back this morning and can't really move effectively without intense pain shooting through my spine, hence, I am writing a blog instead of enjoying the outdoors. My only wish is that I am better by Monday morning as I am going camping with a few friends out on Santa Rosa Island--hiking, exploring, snorkeling, and kayaking among other things. I'm going regardless and I am engaging in everything that I had planned in spite of any pain. . . it is a good thing that the dream Liz had recently of me dying in a horrific accident took place at a construction site and not on the ocean kayaking with me throwing my back out, unable to row and drifting helplessly out to sea, never to return again! :)
I was reading recently through my old journal entries and discovered that the times in my life that I felt the most healthy and happy was when I had a nice balance among the physical, intellectual, spiritual, and social aspects of my life. Needless to say, I have neglected aspects of each of these over the past few years and am now determined to regain a proficiency in each category in order to advance my personal well-being.

HEALTHY LIFESTYLE
Despite this morning's anomaly with my neck/back, regarding my health I am feeling the best that I have in years (I dare say that I am actually in the best shape that I have been in since I had torn my achilles tendon and was in a cast for several months a couple of years ago--I finally feel comfortable running, even sprinting for the first time since the injury and have been running several miles consistently for the first time in years). Over the course of the past month I have managed to move from the sporadic exercising that I have been engaged in for the past few years to a consistent routine. Additionally, I have adopted a healthier diet and while results are always slow in coming, I've dropped about 5 pounds (about 10 pounds dropped since the beginning of the year) and while I am not really bulking up with muscle I am beginning to be more defined--Nice! I still have a long way to go to get rid of the little gut that I've got going, but I am confident with consistent exercise and diet I should be in great shape by next summer (I know that it is a long way off, but I'm looking at things realistically--lifestyle changes take longer to see results, but they are more effective in the long term than following diet or exercise fads that may reduce fat quickly but also has it return just as quickly--besides, I am more concerned with the health benefits--a healthy heart and body with which to engage in activities which I enjoy).
In addition to eating well and exercising at the gym, I would like to return to a more active lifestyle with friends--engaging in activities that may be social, fun, and exercise all combined together. For example, backpacking, hiking, biking, playing sports, kayaking (did I mention that I recently bought two kayaks for this purpose?), swimming, etc. Heck, I may even bite the bullet and take up dancing if anyone knows where a novice can take lessons (I've always said I would learn once I got married and my wife insisted that I learn). Needless to say, if anyone is game for engaging in such activities, please give me a call or fire off a text and we will get out and enjoy life!

INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENT
I've never been a voracious reader though I do like to read (I guess that you could say that I read more than the average person but less than the average English teacher). I've been keeping abreast of the political landscape for the past several years, frequently reading articles posted at Realclearpolitics.com which provides multiple sources and perspectives on issues, so from the political perspective I feel that I am doing fine, but I have neglected pleasure reading, philosophical reading, and the likes as of late. As such, I really need to make a return to the great authors of the world. I've rediscovered Ibsen as of late, having recently attended a performance of Hedda Gabbler, watched a recorded performance of The Master Builder, and I am currently reading The Lady from the Sea, all of which are great works (there are some really interesting concepts presented in these plays that I would love to discuss with anyone who is interested but will refrain from blogging on them). But in addition to classic literature, I feel that I ought to broaden my horizons and step into some literature that I normally do not explore. I have just received an order from Amazon.com wherein I received a few books that people had mentioned in passing that I have thought to pick up: Anastasia had mentioned a book titled, The Road Less Travelled, Rachel had mentioned Remains of the Day, and a student some years ago mentioned Anthem so I now have a copy of each. Of course, I would like to add more, so if anybody has any recommendations for books of any kind, please leave a comment and I will be sure to order it and add it to my list of books to read.

SPIRITUALITY
I have a firm and abiding faith in Jesus Christ and his restored gospel, yet my spirituality tends to fluctuate from time to time. Sometimes I am really focused and have a good relationship with my Heavenly Father. Other times I am quite selfish, distant, and neglecting of things spiritual. Needless to say, I have been in a spiritual lull recently and need to break out of it. It all begins with my personal relationship with God--pondering, praying, and having a grateful heart. It then moves into the study of scripture. Next, focusing on exercising faith that produces action--actually living as a disciple of Christ had ought to live. These things build upon one another and strengthen one another. Ultimately temple service is the crowning achievement. I have a need of becoming truly worthy to attend the temple. I'm not talking about being able to answer temple recommend interview questions appropriately (though that is important), but speaking of one's own maturity and focus in relation to things spiritual. I've got to get back to that point before I visit the temple again.

SOCIALLY
I have great family and great friends--the best anyone could ever ask for, yet I neglect these relationships often times. Pardon me if I have seemed distant--I admittedly have been and for some time now. I'm not entirely sure as to why, but I have. . . my apologies. Part of me feels to take off on some solitary trip--perhaps if I starve myself socially I will be more engaged with people afterward. Conversely, perhaps I will be more solitary and distant afterward. . . hmm. . .

New Albums!!! Exciting Times!!!

2009-07-22T14:22:00.000-07:00

So I feel like a giddy schoolboy anticipating Christmas day! I have recently learned that two of my favorite bands are releasing new albums and I cannot wait to purchase the music. In the meantime, it is as if the music is nicely wrapped in Christmas paper and I have quietly stolen away under the Christmas tree to peel back the wrapping to see what is inside--I can thank youtube for allowing me a peak. :)
The first band is my all-time favorite: a-ha. Their album "Foot of the Mountain" has already been released in Germany (they have a German label) and will be released in the UK in just a couple of days. a-ha has always produced excellent music and in my opinion have gotten better and better as the years have passed. Check out the music video for "Foot of the Mountain" (an excellent song from the new album):

a-ha consist of the three original band members and various other musicians that contribute to their work. The three original members are Morten Harket, Paul Waaktaar-Savoy, and Magne Furuholmen. "Foot of the Mountain" is a re-working of one of Magne Furuholmen's songs from his solo project. The original song is called "The Longest Night" and can be viewed here:

The interesting thing with a-ha is that all three members embark on their own side projects and then come back together to create work for a-ha. They often times will borrow ideas and songs from their side work, as is seen from the previous youtube posting. Needless to say, I am super excited to purchase the new album (and if you like a-ha and Magne f, you need to check out Savoy--Paul Waaktaar-Savoy's band--"Whalebone" is an excellent song off of their album "Songbook")!

Another of my favorite bands is Kings of Convenience. They have not released an album in 5 years, which has been driving me crazy as I love their music and style (If they keep produce music over the next 25 years like a-ha has done, they have the potential of one day becoming my all-time favorite, but it will be difficult to unseat a-ha from that standing). What has helped over that period of time is the fact that Erlend Øye and Eirik Glambek Bøe have both been working on side projects of their own. Best known would be Erlend's work with a band called The Whitest Boy Alive (he has also done some electronic music under his own name). As much as I like WBA, it doesn't touch KOC. Anyhow, KOC's album is scheduled for release this coming Autumn, but once more, youtube has given us a little offering of their new music. This song is titled "Mrs. Cold" (such a great song):

Needless to say, I am bubbling over with excitement with all of this new music coming out (I've heard that Acid House Kings are also supposed to be coming out with a new album--how awesome will that be!). Hooray for a-ha and KOC!

And just to tide you over, here is a song by "The Whitest Boy Alive" called "Figures":

Oh, and I almost forgot, here we can see an example in style and tribute--apparently, Kings of Convenience are also fans of a-ha. Manhattan Skyline was written and performed by a-ha back in the 80s. Kings of Convenience ended up covering it with their unique style. Check out the original by a-ha:

. . . and the cover by Kings of Convenience:

I hope that you have enjoyed these little clips of both new and old music. . . be sure to check out the new albums when they are released! :)

First Fruits

2009-07-20T15:16:00.000-07:00

It has been two months since I moved into my new house and what I have been focusing on the most is my backyard. The first thing that I had done upon moving in was to rip up a section of dead grass (all of the grass was dead as the home was bank owned--hence no watering since March) on the western wall wherein I planted a garden. I also purchased several fruit trees which I planted along the perimeter. Needless to say, my yard now consists of several fruit and vegetable bearing plants and trees. My vegetable garden consists of the following: radishes, carrots, onions (chives), beets, peppers, basil, parsely, dill, lavender, lettuce, broccoli, beef tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, pumpkin, watermelon, brussel sprouts, beans, peas, and corn. Fruit trees planted on the perimeter include: peach, apricot, pear, apple, avacado, mandarin orange, valencia orange, and lemon. I have also planted berry bushes along the perimeter including: strawberry, blackberry, raspberry, and blueberry (there are also grapes which were growing from the previous owner). Finally, I have also created an herb garden wherein I have planted: basil, sage, rosemary, parsely, dill, oregano, thyme, chives, mint, and tarragon. Needless to say, I am excited to try my hand in the gardening world. I am learning through experience, considering that I have never gardened in my life. So far, it is working out well. The fruit trees will need a few years to grow before producing fruit and some of the plants are still growing before they will be old enough to produce, but a few have already come to fruition. As such, I have recently had occasion to harvest a little. I have already tried the radish, lettuce, peas, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and grapes. I've also used some of the herbs in various dishes that I have cooked up. It is nice having a little fresh produce right in my own yard. Needless to say, I am hoping that I will be harvesting more soon.
Considering that I would like to harvest vegetables and fruits over a prolonged period of time, I have spent this past weekend preparing some barren ground for a second garden. This area was all dirt and weeds and is located in an area where the sprinkler system does not cover. I spent many hours chopping up the ground with a pick-axe, then shoveling the dirt over before tilling and hoeing it. I then added in several bags of potting soil which I mixed with the original dirt before planting. I am now thinking of extending the original garden to twice its size and beginning a crop rotation. If all goes according to plan I should have an excess of produce with which to share with all of my local friends and family.
Finally, I am thinking about creating a third garden to be used by any of my friends who would like to try their hand at gardening. I would prepare the soil and will take care of the watering. If any friends are interested, they may plant whatever crops they like and would be responsible for weeding and feeding the garden and, of course, harvesting their own crop. I mention this idea only because I have had a few friends who expressed an interest in such before I moved into the home. If anyone is interested, please let me know and I will get started on preparing a new garden asap.
Furthermore, now that I have more or less settled into my new home and the garden is underway, I feel that it is time I start having people over for dinner (I've had people over for bbq on several occasions already, but I'm thinking of branching out into a wider array of dishes). I've always preferred to cook for others rather than just cooking for myself, so if anyone is interested, please let me know and we will figure out some dishes that are tempting to the palette. Simply leave a comment, send an email, give me a call, or fire off a text letting me know that you are interested, when you are available, and what type of dishes you would like to try. . . Once I have mastered it all, perhaps I will have you all over for my own version of Babbette's Feast!

In Memoriam: Astrid Lydia Stenersen Hall (November 17, 1907-July 11, 2009

2009-07-12T15:33:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was quite eventful. I was busy from morning until evening between hiking with a colleague and visiting with a friend who had made a spontaneous trip from out of town. I was so busy that I missed a few phone calls. Having found the time in the evening to check the messages, I discovered the sad and happy news that my Grandmother passed away that afternoon. It is sad that I will not be able to visit with my grandmother more in this life. She was a great woman and I made sure to visit her in Salt Lake City as often as possible (over the past few years I would make a trip each winter and summer--fortunately, this past winter I made the trip and interviewed her both on voice recording and video). It is happy news in that my grandmother had lived a full and happy life--she was one-hundred-and-one-years-old. She had mentioned to me on previous visits that she was happy with her life and that she was ready to go to the next life whenever the Lord wanted to take her. This is quite understandable as all of her family and friends had previously passed away. All she had left was her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. It is nice having a knowledge of the plan of salvation--understanding that through the atonement of Jesus Christ all will live again, being resurrected, reuniting body and spirit, and that in the realm of spirits my grandmother would be in the presence of old friends and family. Also, that one day I, too, will be reunited with them all.
My grandmother meant a lot to me. Many of my friends falsely assume that I served a mission in Norway due to my interest in the language and the country. This is not the case. My interest in Norway comes from my grandmother. She was born in Kristiania, Norway (present day Oslo) and moved to the United States in her late teens. Hers was a busy and difficult lifestyle in Norway, with all her family working at the match factory and with her delivering newspapers to make a little extra money in order to save up to come to the United States. While she did not get to travel much in Norway (spending most of her time in Kristiania with an occasional trip to Kristiansand to visit relatives), she was able to find enjoyment in life and to make the most of her experiences. She marveled at how much of Norway and Sweden through which I have had opportunity to travel. She would often state that I know more of her homeland than she (which may be true as far as seeing the country, but she actually lived the culture, custom, and lifestyle which is an experience that I shall never have--she is truly Norwegian as I am simply an observer of Norway). As a child I enjoyed viewing all of the knick-knacks that she had around her house from Norway and Sweden (her husband was Swedish), and as I grew older I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity that I had to visit with her one on one and to learn of her life, her family history, and her views on the world. I am going to miss those conversations and will treasure the memories that I have of them.
In memory of my Grandmother I should like to include a few journal entries that I have recorded over the years that capture some of the knowledge, information, and experiences that I have had in connection with visiting her in Salt Lake (I will skip over some parts of journal entries when the information is either too private or does not relate to a connection with my grandmother):

AUGUST 30, 2001
. . . "After hiking the mountain we drove down to Mirror Lake and ate lunch. This is the lake my father would take us boys to go fishing when we were young and up visiting family in Utah. This is the same lake that my great-grandfather Stenersen would take his grandchildren camping (my uncle Einar and my father). Uncle Einar pointed out a lot of the landmarks that he remembers from those days. I even saw a small portion of the old dirt road that they would come in on--it is now covered with overbrush. Einar told me that my great-grandfather used to camp with another Norwegian friend of his his. This friend once pulled Einar aside during one of their camping trips and told him that his grandfather Stenersen is the only human being that he has ever known who he has not heard speak ill of anybody ever. Quite the compliment.
This evening the Hall family got together to have a Dinner. It as good to see everyone. Aunt Judy recently took a trip to Washington and found some Scandinavian shops there. She bought a Norwegian calendar and a cast-iron with which to make Kremkaker. She gave these two items to me.
After the dinner when everyone parted their several ways, I spent a couple of hours talking with my grandmother Hall. She related many events both in Norway and in the United States to me. The following are some of the brief highlights from the conversation:
Great-Grandfather Stenersen--(my grandmother's father)--He supported three families throughout the great depression. He worked on the theater building at the University of Utah (I forgot the name of the building) and constantly kept it in top shape--polishing the brass doors and all. He constatnly stressed the importance of being on time to things and instilled it in his family. He was a heavy smoker and would drink on occasion. He stayed at home while his wife and daughters would attend church in Norway. Eventually he began coming to church, sitting in the back pew. This trend continued in the United States. One evening he came home and told his wife, 'I've done something today that you will be pleased with--I met with the missionaries and got baptized.' Though he was a heavy smoker, he quit cold-turkey and never returned to the habit. His comment on quitting smoking (or anything for that matter): 'You don't wean yourself off of it, you quit. If you make a decision you follow through with it fully committed.' Of course, these aren't his exact words but the general idea. When he died the University of Utah flew its flags half-mast in his honor.
Great-Grandma Stenersen--(my grandmother's mother)--She grew up in Norway and boarded with a family in Oslo (a Lutheran family). She attended church services with the Salvation Army and one day the family that she boarded with said, 'You attend the Salvation Army services. . . you had ought to go to one of the Mormon services and see what they are all about.' She did so and after attending the first meeting she knew that it was the true church of Jesus Christ. She joined the church and immediately began saving money to come to Utah, for she wanted the blessings of the temple in her life. She worked hard and disciplined the children (her husband never raised his voice or uttered a cross word at his daughters--he always turned that over to their mother). When my grandmother married, great-grandma took her aside and explained what was expected of a good housewife and why that was the case. My grandmother treated my grandfather like a king ever since that day. When they were living back in Norway, she was very frugal, yet she made sure that her daughters were the best dressed girls at church.
Judith Stenersen--(my grandmother's sister)--She grew up at home while my grandmother grew up at her grandparents. Their grandparents did not live far away and they all saw each other daily. Judith was out cross-country skiing with a friend once (as they often went skiing) when the two young girls discovered they were lost. Judith's friend said that Judith should pray. She did and a short time later a man appeared and gave them directions as to how to return to their home. After the man had gone they noticed that he had left no tracks in the snow. They arrived home safely.
Returning to my great-grandmother Stenersen--Norway is predominantly Lutheran in their faith. All of my great-grandmother's neighbors were such and they all greatly respected her and her family (especially the religion she was associated with). They used to say, 'The Mormon family can do no wrong.' Once their was a great flu epidemic which passed through the community wherein many people died. The whole community feared contracting the ailment and were fearful of preparing the dead for burial. They asked my great-grandmother to do the job, saying, 'You are a Mormon--you will not get sick.' My great-grandmother washed and prepared the bodies for burial and sure enough, she never contracted the ailment. Such was the respect for the Stenersen family and their religion.
There is so much more to write which I learned from my conversation with my grandmother this evening, but it is late and I am extremely tired. I hope that I will remember the others and find the time to write them down in this journal."

SEPTEMBER 2, 2001
"I attended sacrament meeting with my grandmother and was impressed with the testimonies which were shared. Most of all I appreciated the background noise of children. I observed many children today and was humored by their innocence and joy. The children are so cute and precious, it makes me look forward to having a family of my own. I was also impressed with the elderly individuals in the ward. The service simply had a feeling of being complete. I enjoy the young single adult ward which I attend back home and I truly feel the spirit there, but it does lack that feeling of being complete--of including the whole spectrum of the human experience. It has really made me want to move on with my progression in life and being my own family.
My grandmother cooked a nice Sunday dinner which I really enjoyed. She says it is the first time she has cooked on Sunday since grandpa died. She and Gladys have treated me like a king and have my stay both comfortable and enjoyable. I am indebted to their kindness and love. . ."

APRIL 14, 2002
"I drove from Los Angeles to Salt Lake City yesterday, arriving sometime after nine o'clock in the evening, local time. I was amazingly exhausted, yet made a few phone calls before chatting a bit with my grandmother and aunt Gladys. I then descended to the quaint room in the basement which I love so much--it has a fascinating character all its own which seems to transport me to another time and place. I feel at home with wood paneled walls and the old photographs, ceramic and copper artifacts (many of which are from the old homeland) and the books whose mysterious pages beckon to me. The foreign words I trip my tongue over like a small boy pretending to read and to comprehend. I spent a short time perusing through these articles, reminiscing and longing for that which haunts me with its ever elusive nature. I quickly read my scriptures and offered up a prayer to my Father (who, might I add, has been extremely patient and long-suffering with me) and straightway climbed into that most inviting bed.
I attended church with grandma and Gladys. I laughed inwardly as the words of many speakers from my home stake who have visited the Claremont 3rd ward resounded in my mind: 'It is so quiet here--I love the sound of silence and the reverence associated with it that is found in a young single adult ward such as this.' I laughed inwardly, for I felt exactly the opposite as I sat in the midst of this family ward, with all the sounds of babies crying children talking, parents shushing, and elderly people coughing. yes, it is so noisy here--I love the sound of noise which represents the whole human family, the whole spectrum of mortality, the whole of human experience. It was truly a joy to my ears and to my heart. . .

APRIL 15, 2002
"I arose this morning with the hopes of going for a ride on my mountain bike through the majesty of Utah's nature; however, Utah's nature had something else in mind. Ominous clouds blanketed the sky and rough winds raged through the valley so I opted not to go biking. Instead, I spent the morning conversing with my grandmother. She did most of the talking and I did most of the listening, which is just the way I like it. I already know my thoughts and am far more interested in what other people have to say--especially my grandmother with her ninety-four years of experience. I learn a lot listening to her--not only of family history but concerning life in general.
I went downtown for a couple of hours this afternoon and did some shopping at the mall. I purchased a new cd-tape convertor for the car to play my walkman on, some new shoes for formal occasions and a few reading books for young shcool children in Norwegian titled, 'Lesaboka for Grunnskolen.' One day I will learn Norwegian and what better place to start than with children's literature. I've already skimmed through them and am able to comprehend the gist of a few of the poems and stories, but for the most part my understanding is lacking.
I returned to my grandmother's house and descended into my basement room where I began grading some of my students' papers. After an hour of so doing I became restless with the thought of such a perfectly good storm raging outside while I sat comfortably indoors. I was reminded of this as the wind suddenly blew open one of the windows in my basement room and went howling about the contours of my surroundings. Startled, i arose and closed the window tightly. I then grabbed my jacket, ascended the stairs and took leave of the house so that I might enjoy the mighty winds. I climbed atop the old chicken coupe and faced the wind allowing it to slash all about me. It was wonderful at first, but so much dust had been kicked up by the winds that its sediments lodged within my eyes. I had to turn my back to the wind for this purpose. The sky was black with dust and the mountain peaks which stand so close to my grandmother's house were not at all visible. I could see small speckles of sediment falling like raindrops from the sky, The trees whipped wildly about, thrashing their arms through the air and wires wobbled like angry jump-ropes bent on snapping a child. I could feel parts of the old coupe rumble from under me and many times the gusts knocked me off of balance. there I stood, then sat for some twenty minutes. No rain. It would have been better had there been rain--less dust and dirt to be reckoned with and more of nature. . .
I then went to dinner with grandma, Gladys, Judy, Erin, Danny, and Danny's friend. It was an enjoyable meal at the Olive Garden and an interesting group to interact with and to observe. It began to rain at this point, starting with mud droplets which plastered my coat. Finally, regular rain came down, the winds subsided and the temperature dropped.
I spent the evening watching an old black and white film with grandma and gladys, I was strewn comfortably across the couch, After the film I called Sanna and we arranged to go to dinner tomorrow night at 6 p.m. despite her busy schedule and finals."

AUGUST 23, 2007
". . . Sunday was a day full of visiting and fostering relationships. I spent time visiting with my grandmother and aunt Gladys, Ardis Penrod and his family, the Stirlings, and Valarie and her husband. That evening I went for a walk through various neighborhoods. Upon my return I climbed up on top of the chicken coupe and enjoyed a strong, warm breeze, the view of the stars and clouds, and the sounds of cars, crickets, and the wind. I spent a good half an hour simply discovering shapes in the clouds. Among other things I saw a troll, dragon, dinosaur (which was wearing a party hat and eating stars), and alligator, alien, dog, lizard, skull, man, shark, dolphin, and a sea-horse. I am easily entertained.
I shall like to shift my subject from what I did during my trip to what I had learned. What I had learned falls into two categories: first, what I have learned through discussions and observations, and second, what I have learned through my own thoughts. I shall begin with the most important discussions that I had had--those with my grandmother, Astrid Hall.
My discussion with my grandmother focused primarily upon life in Norway and gradually spilled over into life in America. I learned that my great-grandparents and their peers enjoyed going for walks through the forests and would take buckets and scoops along with them, whereby they would scoop up wild blueberries and bring buckets full home. The kids would then separate the blueberries from the leaves in the buckets and the families would make jam. I also learned that my great-grandfather loved to go for solitary walks in the forest before church. Additionally, it was customary for young adults to go for walks as dates, I found all of this quite fascinating and rather revealing of my own character. I love solitary hikes through nature, long walks through the city, and my favorite thing to do on dates is to walk and talk with my date (whether it is through a park, by shops, or at a museum--it is the walking and talking that fascinates me the most). I suppose it is simply in my genetic make-up to be predisposed to such activities. I also learned about the first time my great-grandmother Stenersen saw a car. Apparently it came speeding around a corner and my great-grandmother was in the middle of the street. Amazed at the sight of such a thing, she did not know what to do. The driver of the car noticing her confusion yelled out, 'Stand still' and simply swerved around her. I also learned of some great advice on healthy living from my great-grandfather Stenersen which I really need to learn to apply. So as to avoid overeating, his motto was 'Stop eating when the food tastes the best.' I had also learned that my grandmother had a strict upbringing and that she and her sister loved it when their mom was away and dad alone was left to watch them. At such times he would lighten up and play with the girls. My grandmother's fondest such memory was of how he would make the girls laugh by impersonating Charlie Chaplin.
Once in the United States my grandmother found work as a maid for one Mrs. Reynolds who my grandmother greatly respects and admires. Mrs. Reynolds was very kind to my grandmother and taught her what true equality means as she stated, 'If you earn your money honestly you are as good a person as anyone else.' As Mrs. Reynolds was wealthy, she thought herself no better than my grandmother who worked hard for an honest living. My grandmother (Norwegian) met my grandfather (Swedish) at a dance that was a part of a Scandinavian conference for the church. They were introduced at the dance by a mutual friend and began their courtship shortly thereafter. They dated one another for about a year, at which time my grandmother grew impatient with his having not proposed marriage, so she tole him, 'Either you marry me or I am going to move to New York with some of my friends' (they were living in Utah at the time). My grandfather thought about it briefly, then retrieving a wad of money he had been saving, handed my grandmother the money and told her to go buy a ring. . . "

BESTAMOR, JEG ELSKER DEG!!!

Hedda Gabbler

2009-07-12T00:29:00.000-07:00

Some 15+ years ago, when I was living with my parents, I decided to rummage through my parents' bookshelves in the front room to see what I could find. I came across a book full of plays by Henrik Ibsen. I knew nothing of Ibsen at the time--I had never heard of him or any of his works. I thumbed through the book and the title of a particular play captured my attention: Ghosts. Hmmm. . . that is an interesting title for a play, I thought, so I began to read. I was intrigued. It was strange how I could not seem to put the book down. Was I actually enjoying reading drama? By plays end I was hooked on the content and style of Henrik Ibsen. Since that time I have read and seen many of Ibsen's plays and I can honestly say that he is my favorite playwright. I have read eleven of his plays and have seen several of his plays in live performances. Anytime I learn of an Ibsen play being performed somewhere near where I live I absolutely must purchase two tickets--one for myself, and of course, one for a date. Needless to say, I was bummed about a month ago when I discovered that there was a performance of Ghosts in Los Angeles, but that the production had just run its course the week before I had learned about it. Needless to say, one might imagine the excitement that I had this past week when searching the internet for plays, to discover a small theater in Los Angeles performing Ibsen's Hedda Gabbler!
Hedda Gabbler, like many of Ibsen's plays, is a dark psychological study in character and circumstance. One may learn a lot about self, others, and society at large through Ibsen's works. Because of the "heavy" themes that course their way through Ibsen's plays, I have to be careful as to who I decide to take out. To take a woman to an Ibsen play who is neither educated nor well-rounded would be a mistake. Apparently, I made a wise selection with whom I had invited out as I discovered afterward that she both enjoyed the play and had intelligent insights concerning the plot and characterization.
I have seen Hedda Gabbler performed before--ten years ago to be exact, at the Geffen Playhouse staring Annette Benning. Friday night's performance was done well, but was quite different from the Geffen performance (I actually prefer the Geffen as it remained more true to the original whereas Friday's performance was placed into more Modern, American times). That is not to take away from the performance at the Ark Theater--it was well done and well worth the money spent. It was simply different. The Geffen performance was more subtle in its troubled portrayal of Hedda whereas the Ark performance was more pointed. Both approaches have their strengths, but from my perspective their is something more pressing upon the soul and psyche when subtle nuances reveal disturbing characteristics. Regardless, the Ark performance was a success and I rather enjoyed the experience.
I would take the time to offer some analysis regarding the themes, plot, and characterization from the play, but that I shall save for anyone who would like to discuss it in person. Besides, it may not be a bad idea for whomever may be reading this post to pick up a copy of Hedda Gabbler and read it for oneself, to form one's own opinions, and to grapple with one's own interpretation of meaning. Then a discussion would be much more intriguing. Of course, if you haven't read or seen any Ibsen before, then I suggest looking into some of his other plays first. My favorite are: An Enemy of the People, A Doll's House, The Wild Duck, and Ghosts. Any of these would be a great introduction into the style of Ibsen. What I shall leave you with is a poem that I had written some ten years ago, following the Geffen performance of Hedda Gabbler.

UPON SEEING IBSEN PERFORMED: HEDDA GABBLER, APRIL 2, 1999 AT THE GEFFEN THEATER

The human art of suffering,
The art of the repressed
Appears upon the stage before my sullen eyes caressed.
How great the inner struggle of a strange, diverting mind
That thrashes through the inner soul, that thrashes now through mine.
Ah, I see the charact'ry,
The strong and the naive,
The base, the cunning, and the fool, each wanting to believe
In something grand and distant,
Something more--
And in pursuit what we abhor
Emerges from the great abyss
Of want and lonely longingness.
O, the passion! O, the rage!
O, the cunning of the sage
Whose dream and vision of these lives
become our own. . . become our own. . .
To laugh, to cry, to love, to hate,
To act in reason, to act irate.
Is this the span of misery, of life of longing to be free?
Free of vain society?
Free of one's propriety?
Free of cause and of effect?
Free of personal regret?
Freedom in the soul discrete saved from
A blinded longing
Is found within obedience,
No want of a belonging,
Nor in pursuit of a revenge, nor in a mended dream,
For all in life when viewed ideal
Is nothing what it seems.
And how the course of mad pursuit
Is stocked within the raging heart,
Unyielding to reason's request,
But trusting vain passions, no less,
That inward are unbridled.
And how this course, a darkly sight,
Leads to a morbid ending
When actions thought to hide the truth
In death prove a pretending.

--Brett Hall (April 4, 1999)

Remains of the Day

2009-07-06T17:52:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I had a couple of hours between church and a family dinner at my house so I decided to put on a movie and relax. I looked through my collection and decided on a film of which I had never before heard before I had purchased it but that looked interesting (it helped that it is a double feature dvd, the second film being Sense and Sensibility--one can never go wrong with a story by Jane Austen). So I put "Remains of the Day" into my dvd player and began an unheard of film. Wow!!! I was riveted by the film. It is a hauntingly beautiful and sad story. I imagine that the film moves much too slow for most of my friends to enjoy. Most guys would be bored by it as it contains a love story with no action or comedy, and most girls that I know would be frustrated by it as the love story proves tragic and perhaps distant from their own life experiences--but so as not to ruin the movie for anyone who wishes to watch it, redemption may take place at the end after the long drawn out tragedy. . . maybe. . .
Needless to say, the film contains superb acting by both Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson. Seriously, I've always liked Emma Thompson, but I believe that her acting in this film has just boosted her into the category of my favorite actress--she is nothing less than amazing! I don't believe that I have ever seen two actors who are able to capture such believable emotion (the kind that is deeply felt and steadfastly restrained) in their dialogue, facial expression, and body language. Even though the lives and circumstances of the characters are so far removed from my own, I could not help feeling for them. . .
Great acting and a great film. It is too bad that most of you will not appreciate such a film, but to the few of you out there (and I do have a few friends that I know would really appreciate this film) who love good stories and great acting, this is one that you must place on your list to see.

Government: The Forefathers vs. The Current Civil Servants

2009-04-18T21:45:00.000-07:00

Our government, both state and federal, has embarked upon policies of fiscal irresponsibility. Never at any time in our nation's history have we willingly incurred so much debt for so unjust a cause. I understand the concept of going into debt in time of war, for it is for the immediate protection of the people from death and loss of liberty. But to go into debt because we do not wish to go through difficult financial times is selfish and unwise. Why should we have future generations pay for our greed? Why should government feel responsible for taxing its people simply to redistribute the wealth to companies, institutions, and individuals that the government deems worthy? Is this not the tyranny that our forefathers fought against? I believe in paying taxes and I believe in government providing for the life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness of its people. The bailouts, stimulus plans, and spending budgets that both the federal and state governments have promoted overstep the bounds of good and honest government. Our government is attempting to micromanage American life rather than doing its job to simply protect it. One may simply look to the wisdom of our founding fathers to see the errors of our current governing philosophy. The following are some quotes for all to reflect upon. . . perhaps it is time we vote members of both political parties out of office and bring new blood to government--people who will serve to govern the protection of the people, not to govern the people themselves. The government has a right to tax me for the protection of all American citizens. It does not have the right to tax me in order to promote a social order that has nothing to do with protecting the people and with which I fundamentally disagree (and to take out debt into the trillions to get there. . . unbelievable!).

"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not." --Thomas Jefferson

"It is incumbent on every generation to pay its own debts as it goes. A principle which if acted on would save one-half the wars of the world." --Thomas Jefferson

"I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them." --Thomas Jefferson

"To compel a man to subsidize with his taxes the propagation of ideas which he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical." --Thomas Jefferson

"My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government." --Thomas Jefferson

"He that goes a borrowing goes a sorrowing." --Benjamin Franklin

"I am for doing good to the poor, but I differ in opinion of the means. I think the best way of doing good to the poor, is not making them easy in poverty, but leading or driving them out of it. In my youth I traveled much, and I observed in different countries, that the more public provisions were made for the poor, the less they provided for themselves, and of course became poorer. And, on the contrary, the less was done for them, the more they did for themselves, and became richer." --Benjamin Franklin

"Repeal that [welfare] law, and you will soon see a change in their manners. St. Monday and St. Tuesday, will soon cease to be holidays. Six days shalt thou labor, though one of the old commandments long treated as out of date, will again be looked upon as a respectable precept; industry will increase, and with it plenty among the lower people; their circumstances will mend, and more will be done for their happiness by inuring them to provide for themselves, than could be done by dividing all your estates among them." --Benjamin Franklin

"The ordaining of laws in favor of one part of the nation, to the prejudice and oppression of another, is certainly the most erroneous and mistaken policy. An equal dispensation of protection, rights, privileges, and advantages, is what every part is entitled to, and ought to enjoy." --Benjamin Franklin

"But a Constitution of Government once changed from Freedom, can never be restored. Liberty, once lost, is lost forever." --John Adams

"Government is instituted for the common good; for the protection, safety, prosperity, and happiness of the people; and not for profit, honor, or private interest of any one man, family, or class of men; therefore, the people alone have an incontestable, unalienable, and indefeasible right to institute government; and to reform, alter, or totally change the same, when their protection, safety, prosperity, and happiness require it." --John Adams

"Human government is more or less perfect as it approaches nearer or diverges farther from the imitation of this perfect plan of divine and moral government." --John Adams

"A just security to property is not afforded by that government, under which unequal taxes oppress one species of property and reward another species." --James Madison

"But the mild voice of reason, pleading the cause of an enlarged and permanent interest, is but too often drowned, before public bodies as well as individuals, by the clamors of an impatient avidity for immediate and immoderate gain." --James Madison

"Government is instituted to protect property of every sort; as well that which lies in the various rights of individuals, as that which the term particularly expresses. This being the end of government, that alone is a just government which impartially secures to every man whatever is his own." --James Madison

"As parents, we can have no joy, knowing that this government is not sufficiently lasting to ensure any thing which we may bequeath to posterity: And by a plain method of argument, as we are running the next generation into debt, we ought to do the work of it, otherwise we use them meanly and pitifully. In order to discover the line of our duty rightly, we should take our children in our hand, and fix our station a few years farther into life; that eminence will present a prospect, which a few present fears and prejudices conceal from our sight." --Thomas Paine

"If there must be trouble, let it be in my day, that my child may have peace." --Thomas Paine

"If, from the more wretched parts of the old world, we look at those which are in an advanced stage of improvement, we still find the greedy hand of government thrusting itself into every corner and crevice of industry, and grasping the spoil of the multitude. Invention is continually exercised, to furnish new pretenses for revenues and taxation. It watches prosperity as its prey and permits none to escape without tribute." --Thomas Paine

"Society in every state is a blessing, but government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state an intolerable one; for when we suffer or are exposed to the same miseries by a government, which we might expect in a country without government, our calamity is heightened by reflecting that we furnish the means by which we suffer." --Thomas Paine

"What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value." --Thomas Paine

"It should be the highest ambition of every American to extend his views beyond himself, and to bear in mind that his conduct will not only affect himself, his country, and his immediate posterity; but that its influence may be co-extensive with the world, and stamp political happiness or misery on ages yet unborn." --George Washington

"No pecuniary consideration is more urgent, than the regular redemption and discharge of the public debt: on none can delay be more injurious, or an economy of time more valuable."--George Washington

"A government ought to contain in itself every power requisite to the full accomplishment of the objects committed to its care, and to the complete execution of the trusts for which it is responsible, free from every other control but a regard to the public good and to the sense of the people." --Alexander Hamilton

My, Soon to Be, House

2009-04-04T15:34:00.000-07:00

I recently put a bid on a home and miraculously my offer was accepted. Needless to say, if all goes well with escrow, I should be packing up and moving in at the end of the month. I am really excited. I must admit, as far as the home itself is concerned I had seen layouts that I liked much more, but none of the actual homes that I really, really liked had a yard. A yard is important to me. I like space and gardens--yes, that is right, gardens. It is in my DNA. My grandparents had a nice garden and I always knew that I wanted one too. I'm looking forward to planting fruit trees, nuts, berries, vegetables, and yes, even having a section that will resemble an English garden. Perhaps something like this garden I visited when I was in Sweden. The home isn't too shabby either. It does have some fixing up to do, but it is a really good deal that I received on it. Needless to say, I am quite happy.
My next plan is to get some guys to rent rooms from me. . . that is until I find the right woman to settle down with and start a family. :)
Anyhow, enjoy the pictures and let me know what you think.

Love vs Infatuation

2009-03-31T21:06:00.000-07:00

Here is my concise view on relationships and what makes them lasting versus a failure. It is all in what I have come to understand concerning love and infatuation. In simple terms, infatuation is being concerned with how the other makes one feel. Love is being concerned with how one makes the other feel. I have experienced infatuation on countless occasions. . . I dare say that I have never truly experienced love. . . hence, the reason that the relationships that I have pursued have failed and I am still single. :)

Theories on Relationships, and Etc.

2009-02-22T16:32:00.000-08:00

So, I have been focusing a lot on politics as of late and figure that it is time to switch gears, perhaps to something a little more palatable for my readers. Needless to say, I've had a few recent discussions regarding some form or other of relationships with various friends and figured that I could use that as a springboard for thought for the next few posts before mixing it up again. As such, I would like to start by including a poem that I had written six years ago dealing with relationships. A little background is necessary. At the time that the poem was written, I was attending a singles ward in Claremont (church for single adults between the ages of 19-31). I wrote the poem based off of two things: my observations and my theories. Keep in mind, this is not the best poetry that you will ever read--I'm sure that you can easily pick it apart. Nevertheless, Epistle 3 contains many of the theories that I had developed six years ago, some of which I have expanded upon in the present. Feel free to skip to that section of the poem if theories on relationships interest you. If not, simply skip this post all together.

THE ORACLES OF CLAREMONT
by Brett Hall
(February 2003)

Epistle 1
Argument
On The Wisdom Of The Oracles of Claremont

The oracles of Claremont rarely speak
On why we men and women are so weak
In our pursuits to obtain happiness
And grasp the grace of God whose will's to bless.
The oracles, they say that talk is cheap,
And with vain words, vain practices we reap,
And in our clicks and in our paltry ways
We scurry through our most abhorrent days
As singles in a world of married bliss,
We dream of marriage long before a kiss.
O fools who dream of capturing a mate
without the effort of a simple date.
What reason's lacking deep within the mind
That thinks to wait, a better one to find?
'Tis foolishness to think that one exists
Who'll top the current rankings of your lists.
So settle down, let reason mark your way,
And work toward a more productive day.
Use reason and your heart and you'll abound--
These proverbs here portrayed may prove profound.

Epistle 2
Argument
On The Proverbs Of Dating; Foremost Advice For Men, Followed By That For Women

Why is it that our love always begins
With those whose hearts we know we'll never win?
How often has your interest been ignored
By one with whom your dreams has been abhorred?
When touching issues that relate to love,
As fools we seek that which is far above
Our own capacity to stretch and reach,
Rejection is the law we fail to breach.
A principle that every man must learn:
Pursue what's in your grasp lest you get burned.
Too often men pursue beyond their means
And become jilted, upset and obscene.
They can't control indifference and spite
And rant and rave within a lonely night.
This pain a man might easily remove
If he would but pursue what he might prove.
If one has not an education yet,
He shant pursue a woman doctorate.
If one may only rise to five foot tall,
He shant pursue a six foot babe at all.
If one has constant battles with his weight,
He shant procure the petite for his date.
If one can't live the standards of the Lord,
He must expect that he will be abhorred.
O fools who judge a woman with their eyes,
Know this, they judge you too and may despise
The very person you have come to be
With your own faults and chided heraldry.
A principle that every woman needs:
Show int'rest both in words and also deeds.
If a man has called you once and then again,
It is alright for you to then call him.
The interest that you show, I guarantee,
Will lead to dating (or so it is with me).
For men will test the waters here and there
To see if women even really care.
And thus a man will seek to you invite
To some activity some weekend night,
And if you never invite in return
He'll feel that if he asks you he'll get burned.
And when a man has asked you on a date
Do not despair and some excuse relate.
If you've no interest tell him rather plain,
For honesty will keep both parties sane.
But if in truth you're busy on that eve,
And you would like your words to be believed,
Then tell him, "O, this Friday's rather bad,
But if you'd like, next weekend I'd be glad."
How often one's attempts are all in vain
Because the other party won't speak plain.

Epistle 3
Argument
On The Proverbs Of Relationships

So I shall speak now to the general crowd
With a few proverbs if I am allowed,
That explores theories contemplated long
For you to judge if they be right or wrong:
In solitude, what happiness for man
May reach and bless according to the plan?
A noble mount with peace its own reward--
This peace is doubled with a mate adored.
And what of joy within a meadow green?
One's twice as happy when one share the scene.
And what of worries, half when all alone?
'Tis twice the comfort when support is known.
Love's supreme wisdom, mortal and divine,
Put it into action and a soul's refined.
The deepest things within us can't be pressed
By one who wants the other to confess
Of all that deep within them may reside,
For this is given freely or denied.
That which we truly love is rarely seen,
For eyes know not just where the heart has been,
And one who seems a friend more than the rest
Is where love is and where it's hidden best.
How oft we settle with being content
With what we have and not with what is meant
For all the children, God's posterity,
To inherit, be sealed and blessed be.
How oft we speak as if we are to prove
The means by which another wills to love,
When words as proofs prove one is nothing more
Than insecure with what he may adore.
Love is a gift, its price--sincerity,
And if you have it--happy you will be.
The soul's true language is uttered in tears
Whether in happiness, anger, or fears.
Mark them well and you will understand
How love may move a lover's caring hand
To soothe in times of need and to repent
When one has caused the other to lament.
And further when one's happiness unfolds
And you may share that moment made of gold.
But tears unnoticed fall upon the ground,
One tiny drop, yet splashing it resounds
Into the distant caverns of despair
Leaving a lover nevermore to care.
And caring not, a lover is annoyed,
Creating a deep chasm dark and void.
And poetry--it is a dying art
Which never proves the way to a dear heart.
It cannot move a woman's to affection--
It stimulates the heart already won.
And when in love seek not a soul to change--
This makes relationships become estranged.
But seek to serve with honest charity
And change will come, and that most nat'rally.
One's life is too much filled with pain to waste,
live right, live happy, and please live chaste.
Pain pierces life in many ways too far,
Don't add that which prevention would not scar.
Uncommon wisdom lies in common fields,
Uncovered once, all fruitfulness it yields.
And when exposed it leads a happy life
Amid our pains, our struggles, and our strife.
And what is wisdom most important for?
To find a mate--the process we explore.
And many false perceptions herein lie
That lead to lonely heartache and deny
The searching soul of what that soul may find
If false perceptions did not make it blind.
In truth there is but one requirement
That makes our search one which is heaven sent:
'Tis this, that everyone should seek a spouse
That they make happy, not that they arouse.
'Tis not to say you lack intimacy,
But that it's used within a harmony
That leads a soul beyond lustful desire
Into a perfect love that Gods admire.
Beware the soul who's stingy in selection,
Who always seeks an image of perfection.
Perfection comes within eternal spheres
After a couple's tried a thousand years.
Rather, seek a soul with great potential
And your reward in life will be substantial.
But also be weary of compromise
That fills one's heart and soul with petty lies.
For truly one should marry but the best
And leave behind desires for the rest.
But best is something only you define,
What you consider best may not be mine.
How sad to say you settled on your mate,
Leaving her to feel she's second rate.
But best is not so easily discerned--
The best is found in one that you have earned.
So wipe away all of your vain excuse
And date the woman that you freely choose.
For agency's a gift given to all
That through our choices we may rise or fall.
So choose in wisdom with a true desire
That you may live within celestial fire.

100th Post

2009-02-10T21:07:00.000-08:00

So, I have finally reached my 100th post and, as promised, I am going to offer a list for my readers. I allowed my readers to vote on which list they would like and the list of 100 favorite songs won out in large part to the enthusiastic replies by my good friend Mike Gissel who created a blog just so that he could vote! The bad news is that I couldn't come up with a list of 100 favorite songs. . . there were just too many songs that I couldn't eliminate, so instead, for my 100th post, you are getting my 200 favorite songs. If you think that is cheating then just read from 100 to 1. Thanks for all of your input and enjoy the list.

200—California Love—[edited version] (2Pac featuring Dr. Dre)
199—On The Ouside (Oingo Boingo)
198—Simple Kind Of Life (No Doubt)
197—Rose-Colored Times (Lisa Loeb & Nine Stories)
196—Silent Shout (The Knife)
195—Smile Like You Mean It (The Killers)
194—Dom Andra (Kent)
193—Drive (Incubus)
192—Life In One Day (Howard Jones)
191—Special (Garbage)
190—Let It Die (Foo Fighters)
189—Hunter (Dido)
188—Hard Time Killing Floor Blues (Chris Thomas King)
187—There’s No Other Way (Blur)
186—Our Swords (Band of Horses)
185—Roam (B-52s)
184—Colorblind (Natalie Walker)
183—Once Upon A Time (Waltz For Debbie)
182—Ballerina Out Of Control (The Ocean Blue)
181—I’m Shipping Up To Boston (Dropkick Murphy’s)
180—Steam Machine (Daft Punk)
179—Vinheta Quebrante (CéU)
178—Wink Of An Eye (Kaskade)
177—Along The Wall (Leigh Nash)
176—You’re A Wolf (Sea Wolf)
175—Hard Rain (Shout Out Louds)
174—Heretics (Andrew Bird)
173—Comforting Sounds (Mew)
172—Tom’s Diner (Suzanne Vega)
171—Such Great Heights (The Postal Service)
170—Buffalo Soldier (Bob Marley)
169—From Paris To Berlin (Infernal)
168—Mama, You Got A Daughter (John Lee Hooker)
167—Lovers-Flower Garden (Arigat Orchestra—House of Flying Daggers Sound Track)
166—The Long Day Is Over (Norah Jones)
165—Starry Eyed Surprise (Paul Oakenfold)
164—Nature Of The Experiment (Tokyo Police Club)
163—Gepetto (Belly)
162—Heaven (Lamb)
161—One Perfect Sunrise (Orbital)
160—We’re Going To Be Friends (The White Stripes)
159—Busy Child (The Crystal Method)
158—Message In A Bottle (The Police)
157—No New Tale To Tell (Love & Rockets)
156—Poison Arrow (ABC)
155—It’s No Good (Depeche Mode)
154—Blow Me Away (Breaking Benjamin)
153—Ayla-Ayla Part 2-Club Mix (Ayla)
152—Trying To Be Clever (Airliner)
151—New Soul (Yael Naim)
150—In Between Days (The Cure)
149—Island In The Sun (Weezer)
148—Counting Backwards (The Velvet Teen)
147—Synaesthesia-Fly Away (Thrillseekers)
146—Tribute (Tenacious D)
145—Time (Stonebridge featuring Therese)
144—Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want (The Smiths)
143—Unsound (Savoy)
142—The Beat Is Rockin’ (Erick E)
141—Dirty Mouth (Hot Hot Heat)
140—Unravel (Bjork)
139—Fidelity (Regina Spektor)
138—Wonderwall (Oasis)
137—I Want You (Third Eye Blind)
136—Suedehead (Morrissey)
135—Somewhere Only We Know (Keane)
134—We’re From Barcelona (I’m From Barcelona)
133—Rain (Gaelle)
132—Renaissance (Hooverphonic)
131—Idle-The Rabbit Song (Hem)
130—Here I Go Impossible Again (Erasure)
129—Remember Me, v.1 (Blue Boy)
128—Eple (Röyksopp)
127—Talk (Cold Play)
126—It’s Not Up To You (Bjork)
125—Today (Smashing Pumpkins)
124—Breathe In (Frou Frou)
123—Nothing Left To Lose (Mat Kearney)
122—Running Out Of Reasons (Magne f)
121—You And Me (Club 8)
120—Bruised (Lasse Lindh)
119—Blue (Monaco)
118—You Don’t Have To Change (Magne f)
117—Winter (Tori Amos)
116—Prelude From Unaccompanied Cello Suite No, 1 in G Major (J.S. Bach)
115—Put ‘Em High (Stonebridge featuring Therese)
114—Boyfriends Stay (Club 8)
113—I Melt With You (Modern English)
112—Sudden Rush (Erlend Øye)
111—Back To The Old House (The Smiths)
110—Rock Me Gently (Erasure)
109—Am I Wry? No (Mew)
108—I Wanna Be Adored (The Stone Roses)
107—Move For Me (Kaskade)
106—The Boxer (The Chemical Brothers, feat Tim Burgess)
105—Say Yes If You Love Me (Acid House Kings)
104—Lips Like Sugar (Echo & The Bunnymen)
103—Summer’s Evening, Op. 71, No, 2 (Edvard Grieg)
102—Dani California (Red Hot Chili Peppers)
101—Moss (Gusgus)
100—Pagan Poetry (Bjork)
99—1979 (Smashing Pumpkins)
98—Ten Miles Back (The Crystal Method)
97—The Dead Heart (Midnight Oil)
96—Saeglópur (Sigur Rós)
95—Soul Meets Body (Death Cab For Cutie)
94—Comfortable (Fleming & John)
93—Walk On (U2)
92—Släpp In Solen (Ingenting)
91—Waiting For The Siren’s Call (New Order)
90—Running Up That Hill (Kate Bush)
89—Ready Steady Go (Paul Oakenfold)
88—The Rebels (The Cranberries)
87—Fast Cars (U2)
86—We’re Simple Minds (Club 8)
85—Better Together (Jack Johnson)
84—C’mon Through (Lasse Lindh)
83—River (Natalie Merchant)
82—Heaven (Club 8)
81—Burning (The Whitest Boy Alive)
80—London School Of Economics (Acid House Kings)
79—Brothers On A Hotel Bed (Death Cab For Cutie)
78—You Make Me Feel (Gus Gus)
77—Liz On Top Of The World (Jean-Yves Thibaudet)
76—Solitude On The Mountain (Ole Bull)
75—Someone Else (The Radio Dept.)
74—Gold In The Air Of Summer (Kings of Convenience)
73—Crystal (New Order)
72—Take On Me (a-ha)
71—Young Folks (Peter, Bjorn, & John)
70—The Black Keys Work (Erlend Øye)
69—Bizarre Love Triangle (New Order)
68—A Long Term Plan (Acid House Kings)
67—Here To Stay (New Order)
66—She Lives By The Water (Club 8)
65—Monochrome (The Sundays)
64—The Employment Pages (Death Cab For Cutie)
63—With Or Without You (U2)
62—Blood On My Hands (The Sundays)
61—Failure (Kings of Convenience)
60—Holy Ground (a-ha)
59—Run Wild (New Order)
58—Ask (The Smiths)
57—The Summers Of Our Youth (a-ha)
56—Young Bride (Midlake)
55—Yankee Bayonet (The Decemberists)
54—A Place In My Heart (Club 8)
53—I’d Rather Dance With You (Kings of Convenience)
52—Did Anyone Approach You? (a-ha)
51—Pulling Our Weight (The Radio Dept.)
50—Vivid (Electronic)
49—The Secret Life of Daydreams (Jean-Yves Thibaudet)
48—Norwegian March, Op. 54, No. 2 (Edvard Grieg)
47—All Through The Night (The Mormon Tabernacle Choir)
46—Whatever You Want (Club 8)
45—The Saturday Train (Acid House Kings)
44—Where The Streets Have No Name (U2)
43—Parallel Lines (Kings of Convenience)
42—You’ll Never Get Over Me (a-ha)
41—Heartstopper (Emilliana Torrini)
40—Vicious Streak (New Order)
39—The Mariner’s Revenge Song (The Decemberists)
38—A Bad Dream (Keane)
37—Crosses (Jose Gonzalez)
36—Whalebone (Savoy)
35—Shh (Frou Frou)
34—What Else Is There? (Röyksopp)
33—Californication (The Red Hot Chili Peppers)
32—Last Goodbye (Jeff Buckley)
31—Galapagos (Smashing Pumpkins)
30—Figures (The Whitest Boy Alive)
29—Heartbeats (Jose Gonzalez)
28—Reflected (Ronderlin)
27—There Is A Light That Never Goes Out (The Smiths)
26—Mushaboom (Feist)
25—Nothing Here To Hold You (Magne f)
24—Seasick, Yet Still Docked (Morrissey)
23—Love Will Tear Us Apart (Joy Division)
22—Here I Dreamt I Was An Architect (The Decemberists)
21—I Feel My Savior’s Love (The Mormon Tabernacle Choir)
20—Sunday Morning (Acid House Kings)
19—Folk Song (The Sundays)
18—Running To Stand Still (U2)
17—Where Damage Isn’t Already Done (The Radio Dept.)
16—Your Heart Is An Empty Room (Death Cab For Cutie)
15—Here’s Where The Story Ends (The Sundays)
14—Misread (Kings of Convenience)
13—Krafty (New Order)
12—Summer Moved On (a-ha)
11—Summer On The Westhill (Kings of Convenience)
10—Gone (The Sundays)
9—Marching Bands Of Manhattan (Death Cab For Cutie)
8—I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For (U2)
7—Jesus, Walk With Me (Club 8)
6—I Don’t Like It Like This (The Radio Dept.)
5—That’s Because You Drive Me (Acid House Kings)
4—Regret (New Order)
3—I Don’t Know What I Can Save You From (Kings of Convenience)
2—Analogue (a-ha)
1—Temptation (New Order)

America's Political Change: A New Party in Power--The Same Corruption and Stupidity

2009-02-05T20:48:00.000-08:00

Politicians are an interesting breed. They have buried deep in the recesses of their own psyche a self delusion that allows them to magically forget that they have been elected to serve the people of the United States of America. Rather, they feel that by being elected, the American people have allowed them to look to personal interests and force the American people to serve the politicians' own desires. One would think that politicians would learn from the failures of previously elected officials, but no, in their narcissism, they believe that they are immune where others failed.
Take the current political situation in America. We are in a financial crisis. The American people have made sweeping changes to the electorate, offering the Democratic party an opportunity to control the branches of government. The American people are thinking that the Republicans had an opportunity to live up to their promises and failed, so lets give the Democrats a try. The problem, instead of learning from the failures of the Republicans, the Democrats are making extremely poor decisions.
Two key examples are the Obama Administration's desire to offer cabinet level positions to political allies that have broken laws for which average Americans would be brought to trial, and the Democratic Congress and Senate's push for an outrageous "Stimulus" bill. In the first case, Obama has attempted to defend his political friends, to whom he has offered cabinet positions, stating that what they have done (tax evasion) is no big deal, yet he expects the average American to be "patriotic" by paying higher taxes in order to meet the needs of government. Of course, once he learned that the American people saw right through his hypocrisy he began to speak of his moral decision to have his friends withdraw their nominations from the process. This is the exact corruption that the American people were hoping Obama would transcend--it has proven to be quite disappointing for those who shared the "audacity of hope" that Obama frequently championed on the campaign trail. Further corruption by the Democrats is evidenced by their push to pass a Stimulus Bill for the American people. The speak of it as if it must be passed now or the whole country will crumble economically and we will never recover (a true apocalypse that far surpasses the Great Depression) and that they are doing it for the good of the American people and their economy. Unfortunately for these Democrats, the majority of Americans see through their smoke and mirrors, recognizing that they are using the term "Stimulus" as a cover for "Spending Bill." Instead of truly being concerned with what will benefit the American people, the Bill focuses on Democratic special interests--things that will not benefit the economy or the average American but will benefit those who voted for the Democratic party. It is exactly this type of political stupidity that has turned the American people against the Republicans and now that we have elected the Democrats in the hopes to overcome this stupidity, they are doing the same thing, only spending far more than the Republicans ever proposed.
This is sad really. All Americans should be outraged by this phony "Stimulus" Bill. I think that it is high time we elect new blood in both the Republican and Democratic Parties--fresh faces with fresh ideas from among the ranks of average American citizens rather than this life-long politicians who give us smiles and kisses to our faces and offer us the finger behind our backs. Remember this over the course of the next few election cycles. We need to take back our government or create a new party that will do the bidding and the interest of the American people, not the bidding of politicians which will injure our nation.

The Sometime Idiocy of the American People

2009-01-22T14:46:00.000-08:00

Let me preface my remarks by stating that I love America, and I love the American people. . . most of the time. The sad reality is that Americans can sometimes be complete and utter idiots (as I suppose any nation's people may be). I do not wish to be pessimistic, but I honestly do not believe that one should confuse observation with pessimism. The following is simply an observation of a segment of the American psyche. It by no means reflects people as a whole (I know, generalizations are bad), nor does it reflect a sustained attitude or action of a people. People can change and they do. Needless to say, here are some of my most dissappointing observations:

1. I am amazed that there is a large portion of American society that feels that government has an obligation to them beyond providing the basic necessities of a civilization. While it is true that government should have to answer to the people, some of the people are oblivious to the fact that government is the people. I am surprised and shocked by so many Americans who feel that it is the government's obligation to provide for them. There are so many people that feel that government should pay for education, should pay for abortions, or for out-of -wedlock children, or. . . the list goes on and on. There are so many people that abuse the system by taking government grants for selfish and personal reasons, that abuse welfare, and take advantage of "the system" in so many different facets. And what do Americans say to this fleecing of American money? "It isn't hurting anybody--I'm just taking money from the government." Hello people! Who do you think the government is and from where do you think the government gets its money? The people are the government and it is the taxation of you and me that pays for all of this frivolous spending. And yet Americans don't see it that way. The government is simply a rich entity that owes us. Sad and idiotic.

2. It is almost laughable at how many Americans honestly believe that terrorists are upset with America because of our hard-line stance against terrorism since 9/11. The reality is that terrorism and anti-American sentiment has been running high in the Middle East for decades. While our public policy may have somewhat to do with the disdain of Islamic extremists, it is more so our culture as portrayed through the media. What does the Islamic world see in America? Most have never been to America so what they see is what the media presents to them. And what do we present in American media? Hmmm, lets see. . . reality television which portrays Americans as ignorant, selfish, immoral beings who are constantly fighting with one another. American news which portrays our last President as an imbecile and tyrant and covers extensively stories of murder, rape, theft, lawlessness, extremist protesters, and etc. Television and movie drama, comedy and action which portrays Americans as disrespectful, horny, ultra-sexualized, unfaithful, perverse, corrupt, war-mongering people that are secularized to the point of seemingly having no moral value. Is this the real America in which I live? Well, some aspects of it, yes, but overwhelmingly no. But this is how we portray ourselves in the media and sometimes through our actual actions. No wonder people in the Muslim world fear democracy. Think about it. In their eyes, democracy leads to corruption, sexual perversion, immorality, lack of faith, and the list continues on and on. . . all things that are opposed to Islamic teaching. In essence, we are telling the Muslim world, "Hey, be like us great Americans where we disrespect our women, seemingly have no value on family, no concept of honor, and are a bunch of self-satisfying amoral individuals who believe that whatever makes us feel good is right. Isn't that what the Muslim world wants?" It is ridiculous! And what is even more funny (in a dark-humor sort of way) is all of these Hollywood actors who pontificate on how President Bush has destroyed America's image in the Middle East. Really Hollywood actors and screen writers. . . really? I dare say that this is the definition of verbal irony. I honestly believe that Hollywood has done more damage both to the real and perceived America than any other institution or individual. But Americans don't see it.

3. It is interesting to me how Americans tend to project their own characteristics upon the general populace. The stereotype in America is that Conservatives are greedy people who are only concerned with their own economic empowerment and that Liberals and great philanthropists that have a selfless concern for others. The reality is quite different. Recent studies have shown that conservatives contribute 30% more of their income to charity as compared to Liberals. While conservatives feel that it is not governments responsibility to provide for the welfare of others, they take upon themselves the personal responsibility of taking care of others. Liberals on the other hand feel that it is the responsibility of government to take care of others. They believe in raising taxes because they think that most people are like themselves--greedy and unwilling to part with their substance to benefit another. of course, this is a gross generalization. There are plenty of Liberals who do give of their personal means for charitable causes and there are plenty of Conservatives who are money-grubbing individuals. I just think that it is interesting how the actual figures turn the tables on what Americans generally think.

4. The current economic meltdown stemming from the housing market is a great example of the sometime idiocy of the American people. We have idiots in all segments of American society. We have the idiot businessmen who have been conducting shady business (as if they thought it would never catch up to them). We have the idiot bankers who have made loans to people knowing full well that they couldn't afford the loans. We have government encouraging the banks to make such bad loans. And we have the idiot citizen who thought it wise to get into debt far beyond their means, taking out loans they knew they could not afford to pay. What is even more surprising--the concept that some people feel that it is now government's responsibility to bail out the businessmen, the banks, and the homeowners who made these bad deals. And who pays for it? The rest of America. . . people like you and me who have been playing by the rules, having sucked up the responsibility of the day to day struggle, living in apartments or a meagre home which we can actually afford in the hopes to one day save enough money to buy a house. So America wants to save the home of the idiot and screw over the people who are trying to make an honest and intelligent living (I say let the houses default--it makes housing more affordable for all of us who are paying the taxes and struggling to save for such a home).

5. Americans tend to pride themselves on being open-minded and respectful. Concerning politics, we often call upon the need for civility and bipartisanship. Yet, when it comes to action we more often than not prove that talk is cheap. What we often mean is that we are open-minded with like-minded people, respectful of those who share our ideologies, and believe in civility and bipartisanship when it is the other political party that is bending to our positions. It is sad, really. If we look at the example of politics, we witness this hypocrisy quite readily: The very individuals who demonized President Bush and spoke out against the President himself (not the individual policies but the President himself, mind you) are now calling on all of America to support President Obama, regardless of one's difference concerning policy; and those who supported President Bush and called people out for their lack of patriotism for reviling the President are now in turn reviling President Obama. Obviously it is the hard-core political left and right of whom I speak. It is rather pathetic and says much about the virtues of moderates.

6. Americans do not like to be told what or how to think or do things. We embrace the concept of our individuality and tend to pride ourselves on making our own way in the world. We often ridicule people of other nations who are duped through the use of propaganda which is fed to the people by their governments. Americans would not be so foolish as to buy into propaganda peddled by its government. . . O, no, Americans would much rather be duped by the propaganda peddled by the media, movie-stars, and the educational elites who blind themselves by their own ideologies. This is evidenced by the ailing support of the American people for the war on terror and particularly for the war in Iraq. Immediately following the terrorist attacks on September 11th, the American people were outraged and called for action. It was not long before an offensive was launched in Afghanistan and shortly thereafter Iraq. While the support for the war was overwhelming by the American people, certain politicians began a ploy to counter the President by making statements that America was acting unilaterally. The media, Hollywood, and the educational elite picked up on this concept and started trumpeting it both to the American people and the world at large. Through these means an image was created of America, and particularly President Bush, being a renagade cowboy, doing things on our own. The propaganda that was spread was that if the United Nations did not sanction war, then the United States must be acting alone. Nevermind that Nations such as Norway dropped bombs for the first time since World War II, targeting sites in Afghanistan. Nevermind that Nations such as Latvia, Albania, Serbia, and Singapore joined the coalition (I guess America thinks that if a nation doesn't have a comparable population that they don't count as a nation). Nevermind that nations such as the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Azerbaijan, and Georgia joined the coalition (I suppose that America doesn't think they count because they are Muslim nations). Nevermind that soldiers from such nations as Australia, Poland, and The United Kingdom were sent home from Iraq in body bags (I suppose that casualties only count if they are American). The reality is that we did not go alone and that President Bush established a coalition consisting of diverse nations, but because of propaganda, the American people were duped into thinking that America is going it alone and that President Bush is some sort of tyranical dictator that is trying to overthrow the world. The following is a list of countries that were actually a part of the coalition:
COUNTRIES INVOLVED IN THE COALITION IN AFGHANISTAN:
United States
United Kingdom
Germany
France
Canada
Italy
Netherlands
Turkey
Poland
Australia
Spain
Denmark
Romania
Sweden
Bulgaria
Belgium
Norway
Czech Republic
Estonia
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Latvia
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Portugal
Slovakia
Slovenia
Albania
Austria
Azerbaijan
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Croatia
Finland
Georgia
Republic of Macedonia
Ireland
Serbia
Ukraine
Jordan
Mongolia
New Zealand
United Arab Emirates
Singapore
Switzerland
South Korea
COUNTRIES INVOLVED IN THE COALITION IN IRAQ:
United States
United Kingdom
Australia
Spain
Poland
Denmark
(POST INVASION)
Romania
El Salvador
Estonia
Bulgaria
Moldova
Albania
Ukraine
Czech Republic
South Korea
Japan
Tonga
Azerbaijan
Singapore
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Macedonia
Latvia
Kazakhstan
Armenia
Mongolia
Georgia
Slovakia
Lithuania
Italy
Norway
Hungary
Netherlands
Portugal
New Zealand
Thailand
Phillipines
Honduras
Dominican Republic
Nicaragua
Iceland

*p.s. There is so much more that I had ought to write, but I figure that there are only a select few who will actually read this far, so what is the point of continuing to write when most everyone has already tuned out.

The Changing of the Guard

2009-01-20T21:21:00.000-08:00

Today an historical event truly took place in the inauguration of President Barack Obama. As we have the changing of our Commander-in-Chief, I would like to take a brief moment to reflect on the Presidency of George W. Bush and to look forward to the future of America with our current President, Barack Obama.

Reflections on George W. Bush:

While I recognize that there are many Americans who are not happy with George W. Bush, I honestly believe that he has done more good than what most Americans give him credit for. Sometimes the stupidity of the American populace astounds me, but I shall save my thoughts on that bleak phenomenon for my next post. As for President George W. Bush, I would like to list what I thought that he had done well and where he had some weaknesses.

The Positives of President George W. Bush:
1. His handling of the September 11th attacks on the World Trade Center. In response to this tragedy, the President acted in the only way that we as the people of America would have him act. His condemnation of terrorism and his pursuits to combat this modern form of tyranny has been superb. Regardless of whether you like Bush or not, we have not seen another attack on American soil or American institutions throughout the world. That is certainly saying something.
2. Going to war with Iraq. I know that this is extremely unpopular these days, but the fact of the matter is that our invasion of Iraq was in good faith and was not unilateral as many opponents of President Bush made it appear (it was obviously a political stunt by Democrats to seize power and it has worked). At the time of the invasion of Iraq over 85% of the American public was in support of the war. Saddam Hussein was not complying with some 16 UN resolutions, thumbing his nose at the world body. Had we not followed through with our words, the credibility of the UN would have been tattered. This is a fact (what is the point in presenting resolutions if there are not consequences to breaking them?). This is the real reason we invaded Iraq and everyone is so caught up on the concept of Weapons of Mass Destruction that we forget this fact. Furthermore, we have removed one of the most brutal dictators in the world's history. We certainly could not risk such a man obtaining Weapons of Mass Destruction and so long as he would not allow inspectors to inspect how could we really know? Some ask, "Why did we invade Iraq over WMD and not North Korea or Iran who we know are developing WMD?" Well, the key difference, North Korea and Iran have never invaded a foreign country. Iraq on the other hand has shown past aggression.
3. Going to war against the Taliban in Afghanistan. This has certainly crippled the training and carrying out of terrorism in the West by causing the struggle to take place on the terrorists' home soil rather than in foreign countries. It has also offered the hope of democracy in this war-torn country.
4. Being Commander-in-Chief. The primary duty of the President is to lead the military. He has supported our troops who have done a hell of a job in defense of our great nation.
5. Foreign aid has been increased under President Bush's administration. There has never been as much support to help the struggling nations and people of Africa as has come from the Bush administration, but too many people look past this humanitarian response because of a blind hatred of the former President.

The Negatives of George W. Bush:
1. President Bush allowed congress to spend, spend, spend, wherein even the republicans were acting like democrats. The result: serious debt.
2. Failure to control the border with illegal immigration and the idea of granted amnesty to people who have knowingly and willingly broken our laws. What was going through his mind to allow people citizenship who have come illegally while snubbing the thousands who have been attempting to become citizens through the proper channels.
3. Failure to effectively communicate with the American people. Allowing the media and political enemies to define him was detrimental to his Presidency. By allowing such political enemies to define him as incompetent, ruthless, and heartless, the American people turned on him and essentially nullified what positive things he had done.

As for President Barack Obama, whether you like him or not, he is our President and as such he deserves our support for all just causes and our prayers for his successful governance with the interests of the people of America at heart. I should like to take a look at what I like about Obama and point out a few concerns.

The Positives of Barack Obama:
1. Obama is a great orator. We have seen time and time again that Obama has the gift of rhetoric and can communicate effectively. This ability will serve Obama well as he addresses the American people and as he interacts with foreign dignitaries and media, allowing him to give a positive spin to all events and policies. This will help both his own image and the image of America.
2. I have been impressed with Obama's move toward the political center since he has won the election. This is both wise for Obama and for the future of America. What we do not need is political ideologues from either of the political extremes influencing policy for the American people.
3. Obama has a message of hope that resounds with many people. Sometimes the illusion of hope can do more for a people than the policies that will actually help them. It is a powerful use of the psyche for a people to believe in a great hope even when the reality is limited, more so than to have little or no hope when the reality is that it is abundant. Hopefully there will be both a belief in hope along with an abundance of its reality--for such, we should all be hoping and praying.
4. Keeping on his staff many from the Department of Defense during the transition period is extremely wise. Kudos to Obama for putting the welfare and safety of America over partisan politics.

The Negatives of Barack Obama:
1. His support of Abortion (particularly late-term and partial birth abortion). With all the talk of hope and the value of life and the pursuit of happiness, I am dumbfounded that Obama and so many Americans justify the killing of life in the name of a woman's choice. I have no problem with abortion in the cases of rape, incest, or if a medical condition requires it, but to destroy life simply because someone made a mistake. . . it just seems like we are placing the blame and the consequence on the wrong people. . . in this case the innocent babies. What about the child's choice to life? We certainly live in a sick society when we value the "rights" of individuals who have the means to make choices over the "rights" of a child who has no ability to defend oneself or choice to combat the evil. As a nation we should always value what is in the best interest of children over what is in the best interest for an adult when the two conflict. One is innocent and defenseless, the other has made a choice and ought to be human enough to deal with the consequences rather than trying to bypass responsibility at the cost of human life.
2. The concept of redistribution of wealth. Raising taxes does not help an ailing economy, and taking people's hard-earned money to support a lazy and indolent people is simply wrong. I'm not saying that we should not be compassionate to others, nor that we should not have any social programs, but such programs should be designed at assisting individuals to be self-reliant, not reliant upon the state. Simply shifting money from upper class to lower class society does nothing to improve the morale of the lower class nor make their situation better. It borders on the ridiculous when people who follow the supposed "rules" of being a good citizen get hosed by the process. For example, how is it fair when a young woman chooses to be responsible, abstain from sexual relationships outside of wedlock, and work hard to pay for and obtain a good education to receive nothing from the government while a young woman who gets pregnant receives government money to pay for childcare and the young woman's education? Are we not rewarding those who are doing things that are detrimental to society while leaving those who are working to contribute to it high and dry. We actually punish such individuals by taxing them to pay for those who choose a lifestyle that is detrimental both to themselves and to society. I'm not saying that we shouldn't be compassionate, nor that we shouldn't help, but the primary responsibility should be with the individual, followed by the family, followed by the local community, and government should be the absolute last resort. Why should I pay for someone else's poor choices? Furthermore, I have plenty of students in my classes that have the ability to do well in school, but choose not to apply themselves. Should we really be taxing those who have devoted their time and means to improve themselves and society and redistribute that wealth to those who chose not to apply themselves and stand around expecting the government to provide? This is ludicrous!
3. Obama's subvert belief that government can do better than the private sector. As much as we may hope and wish and dream, government is not the solution to our problems. Unfortunately, government is often more a hinderance than a solution. Government can do much good, but it is the people that must act for themselves, not the government acting for the people. Look at any government run institution and we witness monuments of inefficiency. Why would we want to entrust the government with more responsibility and control in our lives? Government healthcare? No thanks. I have a hard enough time in the lines at the DMV.

And here is my audacity of hope: That Barack Obama will prove my concerns wrong. I sincerely hope that he will. I wish him the best in his service of the American people and will pray that he will govern in wisdom and righteousness. While I did not vote for him, he is my President and I will support him as such (not necessarily his policies, but I will certainly support him).

Requesting A Little Feedback. . .

2009-01-19T11:29:00.000-08:00

So, I am fast approaching my 100th post (4 more away) and have noticed on many of the blogs of my friends that they have done a special "Top 100" of something on their 100th post. I figure that I will do the same, but the question remains, what will be the subject of my "Top 100" list?
And this is where you come in. . .
I have already toyed with the idea and have come up with a few possible subjects for the list. I would like you to suggest any possible subjects or to vote upon the ones I have listed. I figure that I may as well give my readers what they want, so you will decide upon the subject of the list. Keep in mind, you may certainly vote for your own idea or any other ideas that people have posted in the comment box.
Thanks for your time and input on the matter.

My possible lists:

--My 100 favorite songs
--My 100 favorite bands
--My 100 top destinations for travel
--My 100 favorite quotes
--100 observations of life (or 100 things that I have learned in my life)
--My 100 most embarrassing or stupid moments
--My 100 favorite books, poems, and plays
--100 things I am most grateful for
--100 people I would like to meet
--My 100 favorite movies
--My 100 most fascinating or influential moments in life
--My 100 fondest memories

Please take a minute to either suggest a new category or vote on what has been presented (either from my list or others' suggestions)

*p.s. I am thinking it is time for a new hairstyle too. Any suggestions (keeping in mind, I have fine, straight hair)?

Greek and/or Hebrew Study Group

2009-01-05T20:59:00.000-08:00

Back in May 2008 I posted a blog inquiring if anyone would like to get together and learn either Greek or Hebrew. The idea sprang from my desire to learn to read the Bible in its original written language (Hebrew-Old Testament; Greek-New Testament). Anyhow, I had purchased some materials some time ago, but am finally getting around to organizing something. Last May, Liz Wolfe, Liz Long, Heather Thomas, Rachel Knecht, and Emmy Lawson expressed an interest in getting together once a week to study. Hopefully each of you are still interested and available to do so. This is not exclusive, so if there is anybody else who is interested, please feel free to join us.
I've decided to meet on Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. at my apartment. I figure a half an hour study session should suffice (considering we all have busy schedules). We will begin this Thursday (I may be the only one here since it is such short notice, but I will be studying regardless). Day and time is subject to change (if Thursdays are bad for everyone we will certainly switch it up).
The following is a list of resources that I have:
--Basics of Biblical Greek (Book)
--Teach Yourself to Read Hebrew (Book and CD Set)
--A Modern Grammar for Classical Hebrew (Book)
--The Interlinear Bible (Hebrew-English/Greek-English)

If anybody has any additional resources, suggestions, or questions, please let me know. I hope to see you at my place come Thursday evenings!

Brett

Soundtrack to Life

2008-12-22T18:34:00.001-08:00

Several years ago, Brian Harris (a friend from college) shared an idea with me that I have since adopted with particular friends. Brian called it a soundtrack for your life and the idea was to record a cd with the music that would be your life's soundtrack and to swap the cd with a friend who has done the same (I still have the cd that Brian burned for me). Needless to say, it was a great way to learn of different bands and get a little insight to a friend's tastes of music. There was a list of rules that Brian came up with, which I have modified slightly when I have done this same swap with other friends over the years.
It has been a while since I have shared this idea with any of my friends, so I figure that I would send it out to all of my friends, acquaintances, and anybody who happens to be reading my blog. Feel free to read through the purpose, the rules, and to share what you come up with for yourself.

PURPOSE:
The purpose of the soundtrack is to expose friends to new or different bands and discover one another's taste in music. One should not try to analyze the lyrics to figure out the person as lyrics may or may not reflect the person's own life. For example, some songs may be included that have a particular sentimental value, may be what one was simply listening to at a particular period of one's life, or may even be chosen for the lyrical content, but that can only be discovered by asking the compiler of the soundtrack, not by attempting to analyze and figure it out on one's own. Each individual has his or her own rationale for compiling the songs that he or she chooses and it may be extremely different from your own.

RULES:
1. You may choose any songs of your choosing for your soundtrack, but an artist can only appear once on your soundtrack (for example, I could not have two songs by The Smiths, but it is perfectly fine to have one song by The Smiths and another by Morrissey--who is the lead singer of The Smiths but later branched out on his own).
2. All songs must fit on 2 cds.
3a. Burn a disc with your soundtrack and swap it with a friend who has done the same.
3b. If you are swapping with someone from a distance and do not wish to mail the cds (or if you would like to swap with me, but don't want to burn discs or get my address, etc.) you may simply send the playlist with the name of the song and the artist. This will allow for the person to look up the music on their own if they like.
4. Swap the cd and playlist with your friend.
5. If you like, you can ask your friend why he or she chose a particular song for the soundtrack, but the friend reserves the right not to share that information if they do not desire to do so.

THE INVITE:
So, if any of you would like to create a soundtrack and swap it with me, I would be delighted. You may either burn me a cd and I will do the same for you, or you could simply type up your playlist and send that to me through whatever means you prefer (mail, facebook, email, or in the comments posting). Let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

SOUNDTRACK TO THE LIFE OF BRETT HALL
CD #1
1. (I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons--Nat King Cole
2. Game--Beady Belle
3. Brother--Annuals
4. Under the Milky Way--The Church
5. All of My Heart--ABC
6. Immature--Björk
7. Over the Water--The Cardigans
8. Wake Up Soon--The Beloved
9. Unlovable--The Smiths
10. I Feel My Savior's Love--The Mormon Tabernacle Choir
11. A Long Term Plan--Acid House Kings
12. Lullaby--The Cure
13. A Praise Chorus--Jimmy Eat World
14. Young Folks--Peter, Bjorn & John
15. Reflected--Ronderlin
16. Galapogos--Smashing Pumpkins
17. Temptation--New Order
18. 24 Hours--The Sundays
19. Sæterjentens Sondag--Ole Bull

CD #2
1. Different Names for the Same Thing--Death Cab for Cutie
2. Only Got One--Frou Frou
3. Fidelity--Regina Spektor
4. I Feel It All--Feist
5. The Next Step You Will Take--Club 8
6. Running Out of Reasons--Magne f
7. What Else Is There?--Røyksopp
8. Unsound--Savoy
9. Seasick, Yet Still Docked--Morrissey
10. Figures--The Whitest Boy Alive
11. Summer's Evening, Op. 71, No. 2--Edvard Grieg
12. The Late Sea--Bernard Herrmann
13. The Secret Life of Daydreams--Jean-Yves Thibaudet
14. I Don't Like It Like This--The Radio Dept.
15. Birthright--A-ha
16. Släpp In Solen--Ingenting
17. Summer on the Westhill--Kings of Convenience
18. Road Trippin'--Red Hot Chili Peppers
19. The Great Salt Lake--Band of Horses
20. Astri, Mi Astri--Alte Sponberg
21. Half Acre--Hem

Should it Stay or Should it Go Now?

2008-12-19T17:39:00.000-08:00

So, I have grown out my beard once more. I have been growing it long enough to where it looks good, but is at the point where it is either going to grow all-crazy-like or I have to groom it. So the question becomes: Is it time to shave it off? Here are the options as I see it:
1. Shave it all off and go with the clean look.
2. Shave it all off but keep the sideburns.
3. Shave it all off but keep the mustache (I imagine that would be hideous, but I've never done it before. . . hmmm. . .)
4. Shave it to look all white-trash (I'm thinking handle-bar mustache, or something of the likes).
5. Keep the beard, but groom it.
6. Keep the beard and just let it grow all gnarly.
7. Some option that somebody else can think of that I have not written.

So, now that the options are before you, I would like to know what you think. Leave a comment with your suggestion/request. :)

* p.s. I'm thinking I am going to grow my hair out. I've never tried long hair (of course, when I say grow my hair out, I don't mean really long--just longer than I have ever had it, which would be a mid-length cut for a guy).

An Actor for Whom I Have Respect

2008-12-15T21:05:00.000-08:00

As much as I enjoy entertainment such as plays, movies, and music, I am not the type of person who follows the entertainment media. As such, I really know little to nothing about various actors' and musicians' personal lives. Typically, the few that I learn a little about makes me like them less. The ideology, the politics, the attitude, the lifestyle, and etc., of many of these individuals that hail from the entertainment world tend to rub me the wrong way--it is often better to simply enjoy their acting or their music and let them to their own private lives. I'm sure that such stars would rather be left alone and I would rather not listen to their personal "expertise" on how one should live life.
Imagine then my surprise to find myself reading an article about an actor today. Of course, it isn't that surprising considering that the source by which I stumbled upon the article was realclearpolitics. I enjoy this website as it offers articles dealing with politics from various political persuasions (it is nice to see how democrats view republican issues, how democrats see democratic issues, how republicans view democratic issues, how republicans see republican issues, how independents. . . well, you get the picture). Needless to say, as I was perusing the site I saw a headline that caught my attention: Gary Sinise: A Man for all Services. I've always liked Gary Sinise as an actor but truly know nothing about Gary Sinise, the man. How interesting that his name should appear on real clear politics. I decided to click on the link and read the article, bracing myself for more disappointment with some looney actor with crazy and condescending political views. . . but no, quite the contrary. This was a story about a man, not an actor, who is doing what he feels is right, not to obtain positive press or personal glory, but because he is a human being and has compassion for other human beings. I was refreshed by this article. What a stand up guy who, whether he intends to or not, is living a Christlike life. There is no guile or pride seemingly in his actions. He isn't seeking the praise of men or the spotlight, but is simply taking a sincere interest in the lives of others. If only more people could get beyond the politics and the selfishness and do good because it is right.
I really like Gary Sinise, the actor. I especially like Gary Sinise, the man.

Is This Really What It Means To Be Getting Older?

2008-12-14T17:20:00.000-08:00

As a child, I recall having had fanciful and adventurous dreams when sleeping. The colors, actions, smells, events, and etc., were all so vivid, so real, and so unordinary. I suppose that it corresponded with childlike imagination. So imagine my surprise and disappointment when the other day I awoke from a dream that certainly had adventure, but was lacking. . .
In my dream I was watching the Portland Trailblazers play the Seattle Supersonics when a fight broke out between the two teams. Not an ordinary fight, by any means, this one cleared the benches, involved fans, and lasted exactly 59 minutes. How do I know this? Because in my dream I saw it all. . . as reported on the news. . .
How sad is that? Is this a sign that I am getting old? No longer do I have adventures in my dreams (if I were young I would have been at the game and involved in the fight). . . instead, I dream about watching the news and experiencing adventures through the media. . . How pathetic!

I demand a new psyche!

Guesswork, Darkness, and Confusion--The Age of Modern Man

2008-12-08T18:32:00.000-08:00

I am amazed at all of the wonderful technologies that exist in the present day and am dumbfounded when I think upon what more may be created and obtained by future generations who will look back upon our present technology as primitive. We live in an age of seemingly instantaneous information. As soon as something happens, it can be published throughout the world via video, internet, cell-phone, or any other device of your choosing. This is truly amazing! Yet at such a time in the history of humanity we are faced with more philosophies, ideals, and interpretations, that mankind is left with too much information to truly sift through it all in an attempt to discover truth. We have advanced so much that we are seemingly blinded by our own advancements. We often refer to "dark ages" of history, extreme darkness being a form of blindness. Anyone who has been in a cave and turned off the flashlight understands true blindness. But the same can be true of too much light. How many of us have had the experience of being blinded by light, literally being caught looking into an oncoming car's headlights, a powerful flashlight in our face, or staring at the sun. In so doing we too become blind. So it is with our information age. We have so much information readily available at our fingertips that we do not see things clearly. With all that exists we are left to guesswork, darkness, and confusion.
With our trust in the power of modern man to deliver us from the "dark ages" of humanity, we are really proving to be just as ignorant, if not more so, than the people from history whom we so often despise with our rhetoric. We claim that mankind needed the guiding influence of God anciently, but we are advanced enough now to no longer need God. Those who believe in God believe that God revealed Himself and His will to humanity anciently, but far too many believe that He has said all that He needs to say and will say no more. On the contrary, humanity needs God now more than ever. With the prevailing wisdom (or lack thereof) that the modern world has to offer with all of its relativism and endless philosophies, the voice of God in the modern world is more precious than ever. There are so many voices that interpret the word of God from times past so differently that opposing viewpoints are expressed as if it is the will of God. This can be seen clearly in two opposing articles concerning religion and gay marriage as seen in this Newsweek article and this blog that was written in response to it. I cannot believe that God would contradict himself in revealing truth to mankind.
There stands then two essential questions to both an individual's quest for truth and the knowledge of humanity at large: (1) Is there a God? (2) Does God speak to man? If "no" is the answer, then it really doesn't much matter which philosophy we choose to buy into. Granted, such philosophies could improve or degrade the quality of life both for an individual and for humanity at large, but in the end we all die regardless of mortal conditions. If "yes" is the answer, then it does matter which philosophies we choose to buy into as there is a being who knows more than we do and can see the larger picture which we fail to see. If God exists then there could be nothing of greater value than to have him speak to us.
I profess that God does exist and that he does speak to us. The problem is that we, as human beings, either do not want to listen to what God has to say (after all, it would be like a teenager listening to his or her parents--the teenager knows that what mom or dad has to say is valuable for the teenager, but that would require living according to mom and dad rather than living for the teenager's own desires. Likewise, human beings do not want to live according to God's will but according to their own will), or we are so caught up in the noise of the world that we cannot hear His still, small, voice that speaks to the heart and mind rather than to the ears.
The fact of the matter is that God has spoken to His children through two means since the beginning of man's mortality upon this earth: God chooses prophets through whom He speaks to people generally, and God has blessed us with the Holy Ghost, through whom He speaks to us individually.
While the Newsweek article that I referenced above has many flaws within it, I feel that it is a great example as to why we need revelation today (revelation meaning God's will revealed to man). The world is in need of revelation from God to man--real revelation, not the pretended revelations that we have heard throughout history where man attempts to justify his own will by saying, "God wills it!" No, that is not true revelation. Just because a person says that something is God's will does not make it so. There is a pattern to the revelations of God and it is our privilege to educate ourselves on this pattern, learn to recognize it, and apply it in our own lives.
It is obvious, according to the Bible, that God has spoken to man from the beginning. Upon creating Adam and Eve, God spoke with them, giving His commandments to mankind (see Genesis 1:27-28). But God did not reveal all things to Adam and Eve and merely expect the rest of humanity to live off of their words alone while God remained silent. Changing times and changing conditions necessitated new instruction and guidance from a loving Heavenly Father. We learn in Deuteronomy 8:3 that "man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord. . . " and more prophets were called as the mouthpiece of the Lord by which the people should live. Amos 3:7 states, "Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets." The Old Testament contains the revealed word of God to the people of that day and age, but revelation did not end with the prophets of the Old Testament. Revelation continued with the life of Jesus Christ. Jesus says, "I say unto you, the Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise" (John 5:19). And how did Jesus know what the Father had done? It was revealed to him by the Father. And while Jesus came to fulfill the law, he did not exempt revelation from that time forward, for we see that revelation continued through his apostles and disciples. While Jesus was yet living he spoke to Peter regarding revelation: ""Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 16:17). After Christ's death and resurrection, Paul asks the Corinthians: ". . . What shall I profit you, except I speak to you. . . by revelation. . ." (1 Corinthians 14:6). Furthermore, Paul tells us the means of revelation when he claims: "God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit. . ." (1 Corinthians 2:10). This is further supported by Paul's admonition to the Ephesians wherein he states: "How by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. . ." (Ephesians 3:3-5). It is obvious that both the Old and New Testament is valid only as it professes to be the revelation of God to man. How grateful I am that people have recorded these revelations and published them in the Bible, but in truth, the Bible is meaningless in my life and in any other person's life unless God reveals to us personally in our hearts and minds that indeed it is a book of revelation to mankind. If we fail to recognize this fact then we fail to grasp the importance and the validity of the Bible and it becomes ineffective in the lives of those who read it. Without it being revelation, then it would merely be another book of wisdom, but not the word of God. Yet it is the word of God, and we have the promise that if we will read, ponder, and pray about it that God will reveal that truth to us individually.
What is disturbing in our relationship to the Bible is our understanding and interpretations of it. Many people profess the Bible as the ultimate authority on any given issue. While it is the word of God, it is not the ultimate authority. God is the ultimate authority and the only means by which we know God's will is through revelation. The Bible itself is founded on the authority of revelation; therefore, revelation trumps everything. I know that some Christians may be upset by this statement, but think upon it. Did not the Pharisees and scribes in the day of Jesus bend the Bible (the Old Testament scriptures) to a gross interpretation of the revealed word of God? Is it not just as easy for us today to bend both the Old and New Testaments to a gross interpretation? Is this not seen on a daily basis as we are exposed to so many contradictory professions that people support through the use of the Bible? And how did Jesus refute the Pharisees and scribes who proclaimed the scriptures as the ultimate authority? Jesus quoted scripture, then added information based upon revelation in order to interpret it correctly. Hence, the Bible alone is not enough. We must each receive revelation ourselves to interpret the teachings of the Bible. Not a pretended revelation, but the real and living Holy Ghost testifying and helping us with our interpretations, and revealing new insights to meaning. And when personal revelation is not enough, God has given us prophets to speak to mankind generally. God has done this both in Old and New Testament times. If so then, why not now? Do we not need the voice of the Lord anymore? Quite the contrary--we need the voice of the Lord now more than ever. Think on this. I know it. You know it. And God knows it. Hence, God has provided prophets for us today to provide modern revelation to all of humanity. You may access the words of these prophets at this link and read and discover for yourself if it is true. You do not have to take my word for it. God will reveal to anyone who humbles themselves, studies, and asks if it is true. Just as God will reveal that the Bible is the word of God through revelation to us, God will reveal who are his living prophets.
I am ever grateful for the principle of revelation. I am thankful for prophets and apostles from the Old and New Testament who have recorded their revelations and dealings with God so that I can learn from them, apply their teachings in my life, draw nearer to my Heavenly Father, and receive revelation for myself. I am grateful that God has revealed such truths to other peoples and that they have recorded the revelations that they have received in their time and location. I am grateful for the Book of Mormon, which works hand in hand with the Bible in revealing eternal truths. And I am grateful for living prophets today who receive revelation from the Lord and instruct those who choose to listen in the way of eternal life.
A few more scriptures that support the concept and importance of revelation can be found in the Book of Mormon. In Jacob 4:8 we read: "Behold, great and marvelous are the works of the Lord. . . And no man knoweth of his ways save it be revealed to him; wherefore, brethren, despise not the revelations of God." Furthermore, in verse 13, Jacob continues: "He that prophesieth, let him prophesy to the understanding of men; for the Spirit speaketh the truth and lieth not. Wherefore, it speaketh of things as they really are, and of things as they really will be. . ." Nephi offers some beautiful truths on how the Lord instructs each person through revelation according to their own knowledge, understanding, and desire: "For behold, sayeth the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have" (2 Nephi 28:30). What a blessing that we have the Holy Scriptures to offer us guidance and to have the words of prophets both dead and living to instruct us in the Will of God. Nevertheless, we do not have to rely solely upon the words of the Bible, the Book of Mormon, or living prophets alone. Surely, these sources are only valid in our lives if we have received revelation that indeed they are of God and that God approves of them. Hence the greatest revelation of all is the direct revelation that comes from God to us individually. Nephi stated it well when he said: "For behold, again I say unto you that if ye will enter in by the way, and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show unto you all things what ye should do" (2 Nephi 32:5). God does not want us to live by blind faith, but by revelation. While we may not always receive what we want from God, I promise that if we are humble and patient, He will reveal what is necessary for us in His own wisdom and due time. There is no reason that in the age of modern man we should be living in a state of guesswork, darkness, and confusion. The choice is our own--God has granted our freedom to choose which course of life we wish. But the only way we can return to live with God is if our will is to learn and do God's will, which can only be made manifest through revelation.

You may access more information on modern prophets at the following websites:

mormon.org
Lds.org
Jesuschrist.lds.org

This Question was a First. . .

2008-12-02T21:44:00.000-08:00

As a high school teacher I receive many questions each day at work. Some questions apply directly to what we are studying and others come from some far recesses of the human brain which is full of cobwebs, chains, and is boarded up with a huge "Off Limits" sign. While I love questions that are thoughtful and directly relate to the subject at hand, the random questions have their own merit, at times, which I can appreciate (more so if they are asked before or after class). One such question was offered up before class today. . . this question was a first for me. . .

[Scene: Mr. Hall's classroom. Mr. Hall is at the back of the classroom, stapling updated grades to the wall. A student approaches]

STUDENT: Mr. Hall, I have a question for you.
MR. HALL: Alright, let's hear it.
STUDENT: You're Mormon, right?
MR. HALL: Yes.
STUDENT: Is the Mormon Bible the same as the Bible?
MR. HALL: Yes, Mormon's use the same Bible as Christians.
STUDENT: But I thought you have your own Bible?
MR. HALL: We have the Book of Mormon which we use in connection with the Bible, but we have the exact same Old and New Testament that you will find in any Christian church.
STUDENT: O, good, 'cause I've got a question.
MR. HALL: Alright. . .
STUDENT: Does the Bible say that it is okay to smoke marijuana?
MR. HALL: No!
STUDENT: Yes, it does!
MR. HALL (With a dumbfounded look on his face): What?
STUDENT: God tells Adam and Eve that they can partake of any tree other than the knowledge of good and evil.
MR. HALL: Yes, God says that they may eat any fruit from the trees in the Garden of Eden other than the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. He says nothing about marijuana.
STUDENT: But God says we can partake of any tree.
MR. HALL: He instructed Adam and Eve that they could eat of the fruit of the trees. God did not say they could smoke it.
STUDENT: Yes He did.
MR. HALL: No, He didn't. You need to read your New Testament, particularly the words of Paul, which tells us not to do anything that will harm our bodies.
STUDENT: But marijuana doesn't harm our bodies.
MR. HALL: Yes, it does.
STUDENT: No it doesn't.
MR. HALL: Well, the bell is about to ring and I need you to take you seat.

[End Scene]

So, let me clarify a few things before people get their underwear all tied up in knots. First, for those of you who may be thinking, "Why is a teacher discussing religion in school?" Well, I was not the one who brought it up. I was simply answering a student's question, which is okay to do. Additionally, it was not during instructional time, nor presented before the class. Furthermore, I was not promoting any religion--I was simply referring to a belief-set that the student had acknowledged of his own accord. Alright, now that I have covered my butt from any progressive radicals who wish to perform a witch hunt and get me fired because of their misunderstood conception of "Separation of Church and State," let me continue.
While I know that this particular student will never read this blog, I do wish to present a brief case to support my position in the event that any of my readers might actually agree with the student's position that the Bible says it is alright to smoke marijuana.
The Biblical reference that the student uses to supposedly support his position is Genesis 2:16-17, which states: "And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." Notice, the operative verb is to eat, not to smoke. Furthermore, we must understand that this commandment was specifically given to Adam and Eve, not all of humanity, and it applied specifically to the Garden of Eden, not the world at large. I have no idea what type of plant-life was growing in the Garden of Eden, but I don't think that marijuana was one of them. And even if it was, I do not believe that they were eating or smoking it. Sorry to burst your bubble, but, yes, according to the Bible, Adam and Eve actually spoke with God--it wasn't a pipe-dream!
Furthermore, the New Testament is replete with scriptures speaking of the virtues of temperance and soberness (see 1 Corinthians 3:16-17; Romans 14:21; Titus 1:8; Titus 2:2, and etc.). Granted, when read in context many of these scriptures are referring to specific people or callings, but many can be extended to people at large. Needless to say, as much as one may wish to bend the Word of God to justify sin and destruction, the reality is quite the opposite. Stay off the MJ and any other drugs and you will probably get a better interpretation from your scriptures.

VanJindelt Photography

2008-11-30T21:05:00.000-08:00

Many of you are aware that I love photography. I enjoy taking pictures of various landmarks and architecture, and occasionally people. My brother-in-law is one who has influenced my love of photography and I must admit that he is far better than am I at the art. If you are ever looking for a photographer I would highly recommend VanJindelt Photography. Posted are a few of the pictures that he has done along with his website. Please, check it out.

http://www.jvjpix.com/Site/Welcome.html

*Photos, courtesy of Jeff Vanjindelt (Vanjindelt Photography)

A Day of Thanksgiving

2008-11-27T23:29:00.000-08:00

Another Thanksgiving has come and soon will be gone, so it is that I should like to take the waning minutes of the holiday to share my gratitude by creating a top 10 list of things for which I am grateful:

10. MODERN CONVENIENCE--I am grateful for all things modern. I love having a house in which to live, a warm bed in which to sleep, a hot shower, hot food, easy transportation, easy communications, movies, music, and the likes. The list could go on and on, but to live in the age in which we live--what a blessing! There is so much to be grateful for which those who have come before us could not even have imagined that we would be enjoying. To think that I can type these words on a computer and publish them for anyone in the world to read--it is truly unbelievable and wonderful!

9. TRAVELING--I love the opportunity to travel both local and around the world. There is so much to see and do in the world and we have been blessed to live in a time when traveling is so convenient. I have had opportunity to travel throughout California, the state of my birth, throughout the United States, and throughout parts of Europe and Canada. I am constantly amazed by the various cultures that are unique to specific regions, the art work, architecture, history, culture, and of course the natural beauty that exists in each type of climate and location.

8. NATURE--I love the beauties of the earth. There is truly a rejuvenating quality within nature that seems to enlighten the mind and cleanse the soul. I love getting out into fresh air, getting a little exercise, clearing my mind, placing all worries aside, and enjoying the sights, sounds, and smells of nature. I love art, and to me nature is the art of God, and he has created several masterpieces for us to enjoy!

7. EDUCATION--I have not always valued education, but with each passing year, the more I discover that I love to learn things and that I truly appreciate the opportunity to have my mind expanded. Education has helped me to develop culturally, to appreciate and understand life a little better, and has provided the means for me to gain meaningful employment wherein I may earn an honest living, providing for my needs and wants, while making a positive difference in the world around me.

6. MY ANCESTORS--I am thankful for ancestors passing back through the generations who have made countless sacrifices so that their children could have a better life. As each generation has sacrificed a little more, my life in the present has been made that much sweeter. I recall many stories of the many ways that my ancestors have lived and sacrificed in order to present better opportunities for the following generation. I hope that I may one day in turn make sacrifices for my own posterity which will benefit them and be worthy of the legacy that my ancestors have created and placed in my own hands.

5. FREEDOM--I am truly blessed to have been born and to have lived my life in the United States of America. It is an awesome blessing to have the freedoms that this country has afforded me. One need but look around the world at the varying conditions of society with poverty, disease, war, famine, restriction, and degradation. I am so thankful for our founding fathers who were inspired enough to recognize that differing opinion is alright and that the voice of the people should determine the laws and leadership of our government, not the elite. I am grateful for countless men and women who have sacrificed their time, energy, money, and lives in order to obtain and maintain the freedoms that we enjoy--the freedoms that I enjoy! God Bless America and Democracy throughout the world, and may we as a people honor it and honor the God who has inspired men to create such governments where life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness may be enjoyed.

4. FRIENDS AND ACQUAINTANCES--Throughout my life I have come across hundreds of people who have influenced my life for the good. People who have been good examples for me, people who I have played with, people who have made me laugh, people who have challenged me physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally. My friends are few, but they are faithful and good people, and I am ever grateful for them. Life simply would not be enjoyable without them.

3. MY FAMILY--I shall ever be indebted to my family, both immediate and extended. My parents have taught me well and have prepared me for the challenges of life. I have been offered love and support all throughout my life from my parents, siblings, and extended family. I have received great council from family members and have been blessed by the examples of family members that has helped to shape my life and to be happy.

2. THE RESTORED GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST--I am extremely grateful for the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. To know that God has spoken to man in times past and that He speaks even today through living prophets is a great comfort to me. To have all of the scriptures that have been revealed to mankind to date, to have the Church of Jesus Christ established on the earth, and to have the priesthood authority governing the affairs of the church is truly a blessing. Through this, I know to what source I may look to in faith in order to have a hope of receiving proper instruction and guidance in my life, and to know what I must do in order to gain eternal life.

1. THE ATONEMENT OF JESUS CHRIST--I am most grateful for the atonement of Jesus Christ as it allows mercy to be extended in my behalf. I am far from perfect, but I know to what source I may turn in order to make positive changes in my life. The atonement does not extend mercy to us so that we may continue in our sins, but offers strength to overcome our sins and to be made clean. There is nothing sweeter that I have experienced in my life than the sweetness that comes from this gift. I can never offer enough thanks for the suffering in Gethsemane, the death upon the cross, and the glorious resurrection wherein the living Christ has taken upon Himself our sins and suffered for them that we may have this hope to one day be perfect, even as he is perfect, and return to live with our Heavenly Parents.

Nikki Forova and Jonna--Live at the Mint

2008-11-24T21:45:00.000-08:00

Ukrainian eclectic musician, Nikki Forova, and Finnish music sensation Jonna will be performing live at the Mint on Tuesday, December 2nd at 10 p.m. If you happen to be in the Los Angeles Area on the 2nd, you should make an effort to attend this performance. I've met both artists and am impressed with their warmth of character and friendly and open nature. I have also seen both perform and I can honestly say that you will enjoy both the music and atmosphere that they will create. The band members are awesome too--great talent and great people. You do not want to miss this performance!
You can learn more about the artists from the links below. Here is the information for the performance:

NIKKI FOROVA and JONNA
LIVE
@ THE MINT
6010 West Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90035
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
10 p.m.
Admission: $8

You can view bio information and listen to some of Nikki Forova's music HERE.

You can view bio information and listen to some of Jonna's music HERE.

Racist Dogs and other Random Observations

2008-11-23T14:39:00.000-08:00

* Racism is alive and well in America. I witnessed it first hand this weekend as I hiked down the mountain that I had camped on the night before. A couple were standing on the side of the trail with two large dogs, the canines seeming very docile and well behaved as several hikers passed (that is, several white hikers). Then an elderly asian couple attempted to pass and the dogs went nuts! Had they not been leashed those dogs would have torn this asian lady apart. It was sad to see, but amazing to see just how agile an elderly woman can be when frightened out of her wits! She jumped up on some boulders with such ease that would have put me to shame had I attempted the feat. Racist dogs. I think the owners need to sit their dogs in front of the t.v. and watch "Albie the Racist Dragon." They could learn a thing or two.

* While hiking down the mountain, one of the boy scouts stopped on the trail and pleaded with me, "Brother Hall, I've got to go to the bathroom!" (Brother is a title people use in the church I attend, the equivalent of Mr.). Thinking that he simply has to go number one, I reply: "Well, go off of the trail a ways to a place where no one can see you and do your business." A few other boys and I are waiting on the trail when one of the boys tells me, "Brother Hall, he doesn't have any toilet paper." A short time later, after receiving some toilet paper, I hear a voice in the near distance shout excitedly, "I did it!" I couldn't help but laugh as it sounded like a little kid being potty trained. But it doesn't end there. O, no. A few seconds later I see the kid running back toward the trail holding up a zip-lock bag. Fear and shame shot throughout my being. O, no he didn't! I was relieved, in part, to learn that he did not crap in a bag, but disgusted to find that he did put his used toilet paper in it (uhm, you go ahead and bury that). And the final absurdity. . . the boy begins asking, "who has room in their pack to carry this out?" Nope, no crap coming down the mountain in my pack!
* So, the other day I come home from work to see a hole in my dinning room wall. That is odd, I thought. I know that it would not take much for my flatmate to put a hole in the wall if he really wanted to, but as strapping as he is, he isn't the type to become violent (unless, of course, you are trying to kill him). It turns out that some construction workers who are replacing termite infested wood beams in the complex, punctured my wall. Nice. At least it is high up. . . it would be weird to have people looking through a hole in the wall at me eating my dinner.
* My students are doing "creative writing" exercises for their warm-ups and it didn't take long for them to make me one of their comical characters. It is fun to know that my students have such vibrant imaginations.

When Institutions Discriminate--A Call For Equality

2008-11-18T21:01:00.000-08:00

Backlash to the Passing of Proposition 228 Sparks Protests
Brit Johansson
The Associated Press

November 8, 2018--Over the course of the past election cycle there has been heated debate regarding California Proposition 228, which restores California Colleges and Universities the issuance of traditional diplomas. The measure was voted into law this past Tuesday by a narrow margin with 52% of Californians in favor of the proposed law. This law effectively overturns the California Supreme Court’s 4-3 decision stating that traditional diplomas are unconstitutional due to its discriminatory nature in denying the rights of individuals who are born without an intellectual capacity or drive to fulfill academic requirements. The court extended the right of people obtaining diplomas to anyone who wished to apply, not just those who completed required coursework and mandatory units. The passage of the proposition restores the traditional practice of students fulfilling unit requirements in order to obtain a degree. It is unclear if those diplomas that were issued to non-college applicants between last spring’s Supreme Court ruling and last weeks vote will remain legal.
The fallout from the passage took place immediately with opponents of the proposition taking to the streets and pundits taking to the airwaves. A large crowd of angry protesters amassed at various private Universities who had contributed heavily to the “Yes on 228” campaign. The protesters shouted such slogans as “Don’t educate with hate” and “Burned by the hate degree.” The gates of the University were vandalized with “No on 228” slogans and “Go back to home-schooling you Bigots!”
One protestor that was interviewed said, “I can’t believe after all we have come through in our nation’s history that civil rights are still being denied. Everyone deserves a diploma. I just don’t understand how people can hate someone simply because they are born without the intellectual capacity of those who have obtained college degrees. Shame on educators for discriminating—Shame on you!”
Opponents of proposition 228 often site the economic disparity that exists due to the discrimination of our nation’s universities. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, “Workers 18 and over sporting bachelors degrees earn an average of $51,206 a year, while those with a high school diploma earn $27,915. Workers with an advanced degree make an average of $74,602, and those without a high school diploma average $18,734.” It is evident that there is economic disparity between those who do and do not have degrees. Alexis Peabody, a college graduate who sympathizes with the protestors said, “It amazes me that people want to deny this particular group of American citizens of their fundamental rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Who are we to deny an individual’s happiness by denying that individual of a college degree? It isn’t their fault that they do not have the natural disposition to learn. This is blatant discrimination and it should not be tolerated by America’s institutions.”
Jim Johnson, a college dropout, was appalled by the passage of the proposition. “I don’t understand why people have to hate. I can’t help that I am born this way. I’ve tried and tried to earn a degree, but it just was not natural to me. Imagine how it feels to see others dressing in their ceremonial gowns and knowing that the government does not recognize me and what I have to offer to the world. I don’t understand why they just won’t let me have a degree. It isn’t affecting anyone else’s life. I just want to be viewed as normal, to be like everybody else. Is that so wrong? ”
Protestors on the streets of California and around the nation are not the only one’s to chime in on this controversial issue. Governor Arned Schweister (R-CA) was disappointed with the results of the election. He stated: “It is a shame that Californians would vote for a proposition that is obviously discriminatory in nature. I am confident that this issue will go before the California State Supreme Court and that they will strike it down as being unconstitutional.” Senator Dina Funstone (D-CA) appeared in several “No on Prop 228” commercials wherein she claimed that the proposition is “wrong and unfair” and urged Californians to “vote against discrimination.” Upon learning of the election results, Funstone said, “It is sad that Californians have voted to deny individuals the right to have a degree. Everyone deserves to have a degree, regardless of one’s abilities. To establish requirements in obtaining a degree is obviously aimed at denying a particular segment of society of their fundamental rights. I have seen this type of discrimination before and it has no place in our society.”
News commentator Ken Olbermum took several minutes of his program on MSNBC to passionately decry the passage of proposition 228: “Finally, a special comment tonight, as promised, on the passage last week of proposition 228 in California which rescinded the right of individuals to obtain a degree. This isn’t about yelling, and this isn’t about politics, and this isn’t really just about prop 228, and I don’t have a personal investment in this. I’m not without a degree; I had to strain to think of even an extended member of my family who is. I have no personal stories of close friends or colleagues who are fighting prejudice that still pervades their lives, and yet to me this vote is horrible, HORRIBLE! Because this isn’t about politics, it is about the human heart. If you voted for this proposition I have a few questions for you because I do not understand. Why does this matter to you? In a time when there are so many sources for information, these people over here want the same chance at permanence and happiness that is your option. They don’t want to deny you yours. They don’t want to take anything away from you. They want what you want—to have a diploma. But no, you are saying that you cannot have it on these terms. Maybe something similar like a GED if they behave, if they don’t cause too much trouble. You even give them all the same legal rights even as you take away the legal right, which they already had. A world around them anchored in a college degree and you’re saying, “no, you can’t have a degree.” What if someone passed a law that said you can’t have a degree? I keep hearing this term “redefining diploma.” If we didn’t change the types of degrees that universities issue, we would not have any of the science and technological degrees that are offered today that were not offered in 1862. 1862! This is obviously a civil rights issue because before 1862 slaves were not allowed to have a degree. Those who support traditional degrees are the moral equivalent of slave owners. Just like the white taskmasters of our jaded American history, you want to make this segment of our society servile. And why? All because they have been born without the intellectual capacity or the drive to follow the requirements that you have established for earning a college degree! What is this to you? No one is asking you to embrace their lack of knowledge. But don’t you as human beings have to embrace what they have? With so much hate in the world; with so much meaningless division, and people pitted against each other, for no good reason, this is what your religion tells you to do? With your experience of life and this world and all its sadness, this is what your conscience tells you to do? With your knowledge of life with endless vigor to tilt the playing field in favor of unhappiness and hate, this is what your heart tells you to do? Do you want to honor your degree and the God that has given you intelligence? Then spread happiness. Offer a degree to those who choose not to go to college, but still want one.”
Leading up to the election there were many television advertisements that appealed to viewers emotions in hopes to sway them from voting for this amendment. One such advertisement showed a young woman dressed in her beautiful and distinguished black graduation gown. As she pulled up in her car for the graduation ceremony her car door jammed and she needed help opening it from her father. Next, a tree branch caught her graduation cap and flipped it to the ground. As she approached the podium in order to receive her diploma, members of the crowd stuck their feet out to trip her and yanked on her gown in order to stop her. Fighting them off, she continued up the steps only to be straight-armed by one of the professors. A tearful family looked on as their daughter was denied the right to receive a diploma. A voiceover then stated, “Imagine if you couldn’t get a degree. Vote no on proposition 228.”
Another commercial showed footage from the Japanese-American internment camps during World War II, followed by scenes from the 1960s of African American students being denied entry into all-white schools by police and politicians at the height of the civil rights movement. A voiceover stated: “It wasn’t long ago that discrimination was acceptable in our society. Japanese-Americans were pulled from schools and forced into internment camps. African Americans were not allowed in public schools. We have come a long way since those times, yet even today we have people that wish to deny others of the fundamental right of a college degree. Please stop the discrimination and hate and vote no on proposition 228.”
Due to the amount of money donated to the “Yes on 228” campaign by religious individuals, such as Mormons, Catholics, Evangelicals, Jews, Protestants, and Muslims, protestors have targeted a number of churches, synagogues, and mosques. Demonstrations have been organized in front of many places of worship, crying foul for churches to get politically involved. They chanted demands of separation of church and state and called upon the government to tax these religious organizations because their members had donated money to a political cause. These religious organizations claim that their members have a right to support whatever proposition they choose, and that while these religious organizations have encouraged their members to earn an education and to value the traditional meaning of a college degree, they have not directly contributed to the campaign. Many opponents are particularly angry with Mormons (members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) who donated an estimated 40% of the total funds spent by the “Yes on 228” campaign and offered countless hours of their time to promote the proposition. One member of the LDS church stated, “We believe that ‘The glory of God is intelligence,’ and that by giving access to college degrees to anyone who simply wants one without following the intellectual requirements associated with traditional degrees diminishes the true purpose of a degree. This is not a message of hate. We feel that everyone has the right to pursue what course in life that they wish. We just do not believe that we should change the fundamental requirements of earning a college degree.”
Resentful of individual Mormon’s involvement in backing the proposition, many have rallied throughout the nation at Mormon temples. In Los Angeles, protestors scribbled on the temple gates such phrases as: “Church of Latter-day Lies,” “Go back to Utah you bigots!” and “The Mormon church encourages its members to get more than one degree, yet they won’t let me have one. Hypocrites!” Protestors also carried many signs and chanted “Tax the Mormon church,” “Separate church and hate,” “Expel hate—vote no on 228.”
Opponents are also extremely upset with the African American community who voted overwhelmingly in support of proposition 228. It is estimated that 70% of all African Americans supported the proposition, which has led to vitriol from those who are opposed to it. One angry protestor screamed, “Shame on you blacks! Of all people! You should know better. You should know that we stood with you to help you obtain your civil rights and now you turn your backs on us by denying our civil rights. SHAME ON YOU!”
John Alexander, an African American who supported prop 228, said, “It is shameful that people want to equate this issue with the civil rights movement. There have been many who have said that this is a fundamental right for everyone and that by limiting college degrees to those who attend college and fulfill the requirements outlined by the institution, we are discriminating. I just don’t see it that way. People who don’t have a college degree have never had to drink from a different drinking fountain, or ride at the back of the bus, or have been hosed down by law enforcement and locked out of schools by politicians. To compare what we as African Americans had to go through in order to obtain our civil liberties is nothing like the current movement to issue college degrees to anyone who applies for one, regardless of whether or not they have attended college. As a matter of fact, it is insulting, and to point an accusatory finger at African Americans simply because we are smart enough to recognize that this is not a civil rights issue and to vote accordingly, that is just wrong.”
One thing remains certain. While the election has passed and the people of California have spoken, this issue is not going away. Opponents of proposition 228, with support of the ACLU and other organizations, have already submitted half a dozen challenges to the California Supreme Court in hopes to overturn the recent amendment. While the people of California have exercised their democratic right, those who do not agree with the outcome are hoping that the judicial branch of the state government overturns the will of democracy. Win or lose, this battle will continue to play out both in California and throughout the United States.

*This satire was composed by Brett Hall on November 18, 2008

Veterans' Day

2008-11-11T23:36:00.000-08:00

So, while I was attempting to sleep my mind reverted back to the day and how it has been set aside to honor veterans of our great country. As I was thinking upon that purpose, I felt a need to express my great appreciation for all who have ever served our country, both living and dead. Needless to say, a few years ago I watched a program on the World War II American cemeteries in Europe and was inspired to write the following poem. May God bless all who have served, those who now serve, and those who will serve in the Armed Forces of the United States of America! And may we as American citizens ever be grateful for their service.

MEMORIAL
by Brett Hall
April 20, 2003

The day was bright, with a light breeze,
The waves beneath the cliff did break,
And people sauntered with such ease,
Though hallowed, lest the dead they waked.
The grounds, so careful and so clean,
Were so well kept by the new guard,
Who made the grounds on such days glean--
These very grounds that once were scarred.
A visitor upon the site
Had come to view this world of men
Who once had faced an awful plight
So that a greater cause might win.
And so she passed behind a cross
An alabaster monument
Erected for a man whose loss
Would prove the world's own betterment.
And as she walked amid these stones,
In pensive and in grateful mood,
She saw a man of wretched bones
Who on his knees appeared subdued.
He wept, his hand upon a cross,
The other wiped the tears away.
O how he wept for his own loss,
She thought as she beheld him pray.
Her heart grew heavy at the sight
And tears upon her cheek did swell
As a deep sadness reached its height
Within a man who seemed so frail.
She stood and watched as time did pass,
Reflecting on an anguished soul
Who bitterly wept upon the grass,
The tears the dead softly extolled.
Perhaps a fellow man in arms--
Perhaps a father, brother dead--
Perhaps a fellow whose alarms
Prevented yet another dead.
Perhaps a friend from long ago
With whom in school he once did play
Or in the fields on farms did go,
And worked together bucking hay.
Perhaps, perhaps, her mind ran wild
With all the possibility
As she watched an ancient child
Weeping with the weeping sea.
The waves, they rumbled with a sigh,
Remembering the bloody gait
With which so many men did die
As on her shores they met with fate.
His body heaved, the waves washed back,
Launching ever to and fro,
A harmony they did not lack,
A synchronizing ebb and flow.
She stood, the minutes racing by,
And waited for this lovely scene
To pass beneath the blazing sky
And enter in her heart serene.
The man upon his feet did rise
And slowly walked toward her place
And staring deep into her eyes
He reached out with a warm embrace.
She held the stranger fervently
Within her arms and then inquired
In a tone so reverently
About the dead that he admired.
"I know him not," was the reply.
"He's not a relative of mine,
Nor was a friend, this man who died,
Nor anyone with whom I've dined.
I do not know a single soul
Who lies beneath these hallowed stones,
And yet I feel my heart so full
For these whose final breath bemoaned
The pain and anguish suffered here,
So far away on distant sand,
That liberty may yet appear
For one as I in my homeland.
I weep for freedoms that I love
Whose price, in part, cost these men's blood.
I weep for peace, that graceful dove,
Which flies now where once warriors stood.
I weep for liberty divine,
For joy and lasting happiness,
These blessings which I claim as mine
Preserved by those who did enlist.
And here these lie within the earth
While all the world is passing on--
These men in death preserve the birth
Of freedoms which their blood has won."
And so the old man walked away--
Alone the woman in awe stood
Without a word which she could say
She hearkened to her pensive mood.
And kneeling down at a near cross
She also wept with grateful tears
For all the young lives that were lost
To preserve freedom through the years.

It Is A Beauteous Evening

2008-11-11T19:09:00.000-08:00

Of all the poets throughout all of the ages of time, none have a more dear place in my heart than William Wordsworth. His ability to capture the simple, the subtle, the moment and to make it all so profound is an amazing talent which allows my mind to feast and my heart to rejoice. I should like to share one of his sonnets: "It Is A Beauteous Evening." And seeing that it is Veterans' Day, I should like to thank all those who have served our great country and have sacrificed so that we as human beings could have such moments of serenity. Now, before the purists attack me for using an English poet from the 19th century to show gratitude for God, life, and the service of our soldiers both present and past, let me state that Wordsworth captures the human condition that extends beyond country and age. Just as Wordsworth states, "God being with [us] when we know it not," so is the peace and freedoms that we enjoy as Americans due to our service men. . . even when we do not recognize that it is their sacrifices that have made it possible for us to enjoy our freedoms, along with the hand of the Almighty looking over us. Let us ever be grateful to those willing to sacrifice their lives for their countrymen, to our God who gives us life and freedom to live as we choose, for nature to enjoy, and great poetry to remind us of the finer things of life.

It is a beauteous Evening, calm and free;
The holy time is quiet as a Nun
Breathless with adoration; the broad sun
Is sinking down it its tranquillity;
The gentleness of heaven is on the Sea:
Listen! the mighty being is awake
And doth with his eternal motion make
A sound like thunder--everlastingly.
Dear Child! dear Girl! that walkest with me here,
If thou appear untouched by solemn thought,
Thy nature is not therefore less divine:
Thou liest in Abraham's bosom all the year;
And worshipp'st at the Temple's inner shrine,
God being with thee when we know it not.

In Defense of the Mormons--Is This The Face of Hate?

2008-11-07T19:32:00.000-08:00

In light of the recent protests by gay and lesbian activists who are upset with democracy and wish to use the Mormon church as a scapegoat, I thought that I would write a simple blog by which people may contrast the anger and hate of gays and lesbians with the humanitarian efforts of the Mormons. If you have watched the news reports at all, you have discovered the claims by angry protesters that Mormons are bigots, intolerant, hateful, ignorant and etc. I've also heard these activists yell that Mormons should be ashamed of themselves and should use their money for something good rather than in opposing same-sex marriage. Let me first point out that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon Church) did not donate any money to the campaign for "Yes on Proposition 8." Individual members of the Church, such as myself, have donated that money. Furthermore, it should be noted that while I have donated money to this campaign because I believe in the traditional value of marriage and feel that altering the institution of marriage will lead to more social ills, I have donated far more in charitable contributions which is done through The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Please take a little of your time and view some of these videos and read through some of these articles that exemplify the humanitarian causes in which The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is involved. Then decide if we are a hateful, bigoted, and intolerant people.

"Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. . . wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them" (Matthew 7: 16-20).

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: Humanitarian Aid Video

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: Measles in Africa

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: Continent-Wide Day of Service--Africa

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: Aid to Myanmar

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: Aid to Texas--Hurricane Ike

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: Hurricane Katrina Response

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: Hurricane Katrina Relief

Here are some articles that exemplify The Humanitarian spirit of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (click on the title to be redirected to the article):

Muslims and Mormons Work Together to Provide Tsunami Relief

Muslims and Mormons Flying Aid to Indonesia Tsunami Victims

Neonatal Resuscitation Training

Church’s Wheelchair Initiative Turns a New Corner

LDS Church Providing Emergency Relief to California Fire Victims

Mormons Aid Flood Victims in Indiana, Iowa and Wisconsin

Clean Water initiative

Mormon “Helping Hands” Clean Up After Hurricane Ike

PBS: The Mormons: Humanitarian Programs

Bishops' Storehouses Continue to Send Supplies to Hurricane Katrina Victims

Asia relief efforts

Europe Flood-Relief Efforts Receive Church Donation

Final Posting on Same-Sex Marriage in California

2008-11-06T15:29:00.000-08:00

As we are all aware, Proposition 8 has passed in the state of California, adding to the state constitution that marriage will be recognized between a man and a woman. Sadly, gay and lesbian activists have already begun to challenge the people's will in the courts. . . again. Obviously, these activists have an issue with democracy and wish to force their will upon the masses through the improper use of the courts. It is the court's duty to interpret existing laws, not to create them. Needless to say, this will be my last post upon the issue. . . at least until the courts force it to become a public issue again and I am called upon to defend traditional marriage. I shall end where I began, simply by posting my original blog concerning the matter which I wrote last spring after discovering the courts had over-stepped their bounds and created law rather than interpret it. Here is the blog in its entirety:

Bigotry (noun)--Bigoted attitudes; intolerance toward those who hold different opinions from oneself.

DEFENSE OF FREE SPEECH AND DEMOCRACY

It will not surprise me if some will label me a bigot because of my belief in the traditional values of the marriage covenant. It will not be the first time; after-all, I was labeled such back in 2000 due to my support of California's Proposition 22, which added to the state constitution the definition of marriage as being between a man and a woman. The irony with those who point the finger and cry "bigot" is, according to the definition of bigotry, they are bigots themselves--intolerant of someone who simply has a differing opinion. In 2000 I was a Junior at Cal Poly Pomona, majoring in English Literature. I wrote an article in defense of marriage, supporting Proposition 22, which was published in the school newspaper. Following its publication, I attended my Spanish class, and as the professor took roll, she came to my name and said, "Brett Hall--are you the Brett Hall that wrote that article in the paper?"

"Yes," I replied.

"Shame on you!" my professor scowled as she pointed an accusatory finger.

Some students on the campus went about making signs that essentially stated anyone who was in favor of Proposition 22 was a bigot, and other articles arose in the school press denouncing my position. So be it. We live in a country that values freedom of speech, and I have no problem with people freely expressing their opinions in opposition to my own, even if I am falsely accused of being a bigot.

Needless to say, Proposition 22 was voted upon by the citizens of California and it passed with overwhelming support. The people of the great state of California had spoken, and marriage was officially declared to be strictly between a man and a woman.

So, one might imagine my surprise when on the news yesterday I learned that special interest groups within the state of California have brought the issue of legalizing same-sex marriage to the California Supreme court. There are a minority of citizens within the state that feel differently about the issue than what the majority has legally added to the state constitution. I have no problem with these individuals and groups expressing their opinions, that is their right. What I do take issue with is their attempts to override the fundamental principals of democracy by imposing their ideology upon the majority by changing the laws through the courts. This is a dangerous move that should concern every citizen, regardless of one's position on the issue of same-sex marriage. If judges are allowed to create laws, rather than to interpret and enforce laws (which is their true role and authority), then we create a society for ourselves that is governed by the elite rather than by the people. If the courts create and impose law, what then is the role of democracy? What then is the value of the peoples' votes? Who then is left to stop judges from implementing additional laws that run contrary to the will of the people? Is such action far different from fascist, communist, or dictatorial rule--the ceding of power from the people to an elite group of individuals who in turn decide what is and what is not best for the people? This is a scary development which potentially could lead to the downfall of American Government as we know it.

Aside from the issue of government, what I wish to address is the defense of the traditional values of marriage. I wish to be clear that I have no animosity towards gays or lesbians. I respect all human-beings, regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, or sexuality. I honestly believe that everyone is a child of God and that God loves every person. It is my aim in life to become like God; therefore, it is a logical conclusion that I should not hate anyone. As such, I plead with my readers to not misinterpret my position or intention on this issue. I sincerely believe that it is possible to be in disagreement with someone without harboring ill will or feelings towards the person. So it is with my defense of the traditional values of marriage.

THE DEFENSE OF MARRIAGE

To understand the defense of traditional marriage, we must first explore the history and purpose of marriage. Marriage is a seemingly universal rite. It is not unique to a single, or even a few, cultures. The rite of marriage springs from various cultural religious ceremonies. The concept of civil marriage followed the example of religious marriage. The question becomes, what is the purpose of marriage? The answer may vary dependent upon culture, but being that our roots are Judeo-Christian, we shall explore the fundamental purpose accordingly.

The Religious Argument

If one were to ask the average citizen what is the purpose of marriage, I imagine that the response would be something to the effect of, "to manifest one's love for another individual." While this statement may be one modern reason for marriage, it certainly was not the fundamental purpose traditionally. The real purpose of marriage is three-fold: (1) to provide a fundamental unit (the family) through which couples may pro-create, offering children a stable environment from which to be reared, (2) to uphold chastity according to the Law of God, (3) for a man and woman to enter into a covenant with one another to love, support, and cherish one another, whereby they may work together in the process of perfecting one another in the pursuit to become like one's Heavenly Parents. The concept of civil marriage followed suit, focusing less upon the laws of God and the religious pursuits associated with marriage, yet still upholding the purpose of providing the stable environment in which children could be reared and husband and wife may experience true fidelity.

Hence, the fundamental problem with same-sex marriage is that it does not meet the criteria for any of these purposes. First, same-sex couples do not have the power to pro-create. Second, the same-sex couples are clearly in defiance of God's stated laws regarding sexuality (that sex is justified only between a man and a woman who are married together--this does not mean that God loves these individuals any less; rather, it manifests his love for them by allowing them to choose for themselves--God does not force anyone to follow his laws, but he provides his laws as a guide on how to become like Him). Third, same-sex couples fundamentally cannot emulate their Heavenly Parents.

One key argument that might be made by some same-sex couples is that they do not believe in the traditional concept of God and His laws; hence, such laws are not applicable to them and their relationships. If such is true, why then do they feel compelled to be married (marriage being a law of God)? Why would they desire to be a part of a tradition (or law) in which they fundamentally do not believe? From a religious standpoint, it is clear that homosexuality is opposed to the teachings of the Judeo-Christian religions. Marriage, according to this tradition, stems from Adam and Eve, with the first and great commandment to multiply and replenish the earth (in other words, to have babies and rear children in order to populate the earth). Homosexuality runs contrary to this commandment, thus defeating the primary purpose of marriage. The second purpose of marriage, to preserve chastity according to the law of God, would also be defeated through same-sex couples. If chastity is defined as having no sexual relations with anyone other than his or her husband or wife of the opposite sex, then homosexuality is unchaste, just as fornication is unchaste and contrary to the will of God. Simply masking this behavior under the banner of "marriage" is not going to suddenly make homosexuality any more chaste according to the law of God. On the contrary, it mocks the law of God just as "common-law-marriage" mocks true marriage (the law of God). Same-sex marriage would be a marriage in name only, lacking the substance of true marriage according to Judeo-Christian principles and doctrines. Hence, from a religious perspective, same-sex marriage is fundamentally wrong.

What then of those who believe that they are homosexual by birth--the argument that "this is the way God made me"? Well, this is certainly a debatable point. But let us imagine that this argument is true--that there is a natural disposition that is beyond one's control. Could not others make the same argument? Pedophiles could make the same claim, yet we do not justify their actions. Serial killers could make the same claim, yet we do not justify their actions. And the list could continue on and on, yet we require such to curb such "natures." Of course, this is an unfair argument on my part. Killers and pedophiles pray on innocent victims whereas homosexuality is a behavior of consent. I do not wish to classify homosexuals with pedophiles and murderers. However, the point is that "being born this way" does not always justify one's actions. It certainly does not justify the need for same-sex marriage.

I am not here to debate the nature vs. nurture argument. The truth be known, I believe that some people are born, by nature, homosexual while a greater number become homosexual by nurture (which explains the explosion in the numbers of gays and lesbians, particularly among people who claim to be bisexual). For example, I have an acquaintance who is gay who says that he has always been attracted to other men. He doesn't want to be gay, but he is. This is an example of nature, yet he has made a conscious choice not to practice his homosexuality. Since he is not attracted to women he simply chooses to be celibate. This is a tough choice, no doubt, yet it is his choice, despite his nature. I'm not saying that all homosexuals should choose to be celibate. People may live as they choose--that is the agency that God has given to each of us. I may not agree with the practice of homosexuality, but I am not going to treat an individual unfairly as a result. In my view, God does not approve of the practice of homosexuality, but He still loves the individual, and therefore it is my obligation to love and care for the rights of the individual. Yet, this does not justify changing the traditional practice of marriage as being between a man and a woman. No rights are being violated in upholding this practice.

The Evolutionary Argument

Of course, there are many who will reject the religious argument and steep their beliefs in nature and the scientific theory of evolution. Such may dismiss God and Adam and Eve and place their beliefs and trust in evolution and the learning of man. I have heard some point out that through the observance of the natural world we may view other species involved in homosexual activity. They use this point to argue that homosexuality is natural, and thus justified. Let us say that we concede this point for arguments sake. Could we not make the counter-argument that other species do not marry? Could we not also argue that other species have multiple partners or different partners dependent upon the season? If we use this nature argument, could we not also justify the killing of our own children (after-all, have we not observed some species of animals to do just that)? Can we not also justify incestuous, polygamous, and other untoward practices that are observed in the animal kingdom? Can we not also justify the abandoning of orphaned children through the example of the natural world? It is obvious that this argument does not hold up against scrutiny. Of course, this is a neophyte argument. Let us look at something more advanced within the nature argument.

A more sophisticated argument might be made by some same-sex couples that they are homosexual by nature (not the same nature referred to above that deals with the lesser animal kingdoms, but born with the natural disposition to be gay--in other words, they cannot help but feel the way that they do. They are by nature gay but also by nature more advanced than other mammals). The validity of this argument has been, and continues to be, debated, yet I will concede this point for arguments sake. Let us say that homosexuality is natural. Does this alone justify same-sex marriage? After-all, if it is natural, and we are so advanced, why would one want to submit to a man-made institution such as marriage? If we are merely advanced mammals in the evolutionary chain, would it not make more sense to follow the natural course of mammals--namely, the reproduction of the species without the institution of marriage? What reason then to bind ourselves to such an institution? This would be counter-productive to the freedom that we have by nature. Ah, but we are more advanced than other mammals and marriage is a sign of our advancement, one might say. So be it. But if we are so advanced, why have an institution without a purpose? What then, by nature, is the purpose of marriage? Would it not be to provide the best possible means by which to rear children in order to offer them the best chance at success in life? Is it not true that children fair better when they are reared in a two-parent home. So, even by nature, marriage becomes important, but really it is only important as it relates to family life. By nature, same-sex partners cannot have offspring. If nature wanted it so, would human-beings not have evolved in order to do so? Hence, even the argument by nature does not justify same-sex marriages. By nature, marriage fulfills the needs of heterosexual couples with the ability to reproduce. It does not fulfill any such need in same-sex couples.

The Social Argument

What about same-sex marriage as a social issue? Is it possible to make the argument that we are denying one's civil liberties by denying them the right to marry? The problem with this argument is that maintaining the traditional definition and practice of marriage does not impede one's civil liberties. Will entering into a marriage covenant make a homosexual any more free than what he or she already is? There really are no rights or privileges that would be advanced for homosexuals through the legalization of same-sex marriages. There are already laws in place that protect homosexuals from prejudice. Some may argue that offering same-sex couples the opportunity to be married would provide a perception of "normalcy" rather than "other" within society. Yet if we buy into this argument are we not admitting that homosexuality is something other than normal? And if it is something other than normal, why then should it pretend to be normal (that would be fundamentally deceptive)? And if we already view it as being normal than why the need to cloak it in marriage (that would fundamentally be a sign of insecurity)? Homosexuality is what it is--it doesn't need to pretend to be something that it is not. It does not need to pretend to be a part of a tradition whose roots are religiously based and whose practices have been fundamentally opposed to the nature of homosexuality for thousands of years. It does not need to go against what the majority of Americans define as the true definition and practice of marriage--a covenant between a man and a woman. Besides, cloaking homosexual relationships within the title of marriage will not truly change people's perceptions of it. Those who are biased will remain biased and those who are accepting will remain accepting.

The Economic Argument

What about the economic impact of marriage--are same-sex couples being financially discriminated against? There are already laws in place that prohibit such discrimination and having same-sex couples marry will not resolve any such issues that may still remain. The one exception might be tax deductions, but such deductions are designed to alleviate the burden of families with children (children obviously not having the means to care for themselves). Homosexual couples who are old enough to marry are also old enough to care for themselves. By nature, they cannot have children of their own, so they have no true dependents, whereas heterosexual couples have an added expense with children who cannot contribute financially to the family. Another argument might be concerning insurance coverage. Once more, medical, dental, vision, and etc, may be, but is not always, extended to spouses and children. Homosexual couples may not be able to claim one another on such coverage through their employers, but then again, what is keeping a homosexual partner from working and obtaining coverage for himself or herself? In a heterosexual relationship, a spouse may forgo full-time employment in order to rear the children, and as we have established children cannot work, so it makes sense that such coverage would be extended in behalf of a spouse and children. Even if one feels that homosexuals are not being treated fairly on these two issues, attempting to become equal through the redefining of marriage is an awful way to address the issue. Why change a tradition that has been in existence for thousands of years simply to promote monetary gain? There are other ways and means; the people may promote such issues without changing the traditional institution of marriage.

The Concluding Argument

As we see, there is no solid reasoning as to why a tradition that has been in practice for thousands of years and is rooted in religious purpose should have to extend itself into accepting a practice that it fundamentally opposes. There is no logic behind the adoption of same-sex marriage. The only argument that exists for adopting the practice would be "we want to be a part of it too." And the reasoning for this argument: "marriage is an expression of love and devotion to one another." I concede this point, but it alone does not justify same-sex marriage. Think on it. While it offers a couple a means to express love and devotion, such couples cannot fulfill the other purposes of marriage--namely, to reproduce, to preserve chastity, and to provide a nurturing atmosphere in which children may be reared by a mother and father. If all that is left is the argument that marriage should be extended to one who wishes to express one's love and devotion--if this were the sole-requirement, then what of individuals who love their pets and are devoted to them? What of polygamists? What of incest? Could not all of these claim the same right to marriage? Marriage must be and is something more, and it is our responsibility to defend it without being hateful, prideful, or disingenuous towards those who do not understand its true purpose and sanctity.

Vice is a monster of such frightful mein,

As to be hated, needs but to be seen;

Yet seen to oft, familiar with her face,

we first endure, then pity, then embrace.

--Alexander Pope (from "Essay on Man")

A Truly Disturbing Ad

2008-11-04T21:38:00.000-08:00

Regardless of your political persuasion or personal beliefs, any reasonable thinking human being would be offended by the content of this ad. It is discriminatory in nature and falsely attacks mormons with an inaccurate stereotype. If you do not recognize the offensive nature of this ad, simply plug in your own religion, race, or cause, and think about what the ad is saying regarding your own free speech. It is true that many mormons (members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) have contributed to the "Yes" on 8 campaign, but they are not the only ones. Additionally, if "Yes" on Prop 8 passes it will be due to the vote of each Californian--the overwhelming majority of which are not mormon. Furthermore, what does it matter what religious persuasion an American citizen happens to be? Aren't we all entitled to support the causes that we feel are just? Needless to say, in this ad two men (who are dressed to resemble mormon missionaries) force their way into a lesbian couple's home and ransack their belongings. It speaks of them taking away rights and looking for what other rights they may deny individuals. Now imagine if it were catholics and they had a priest invading the home. Or Christian with a pastor invading a home. Or Muslim with a cleric invading the home. Or Jewish with a rabbi invading the home. Would this not be offensive? Would it not be an attempt to silence the rights of individuals or groups to express an opinion and fight for a cause? Let's look at it from another angle. What if there was a commercial with a gay or lesbian couple breaking into a family's home and tearing children away from their parents with the caption: "gays and lesbians are attempting to destroy families--say no to gay and lesbian activists from taking over your government." Would this not be extremely offensive? This ad is reminiscent of the old Nazi propoganda demonizing Jews. The demonzing of a group has to begin somewhere and always plays upon the fears of others. It is the mormons now. If we do not stand up and condemn such propaganda, who will be next?

*Here are a few pictures that I am adding to this particular post, dated 11-6-08. As we see in these photos, those who claim tolerance and acceptance are not very tolerant or accepting in return. Here they are targeting mormons (members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) due to many of the church members' support of proposition 8. Interesting to note that mormons only make up 2% of the population in California and they are an easy target or scapegoat. These crowds are acting on the general mistrust of the population regarding the faith of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. These protests that gay and lesbian activists are having throughout California is truly bringing out their true colors. They are certainly changing public opinion through their actions, but I don't think they are changing that opinion in the way that they would like.