Well, since I am sort of around here and could theoretically have ideas about eateries I am posting a couple ideas asking for input on our Wednesday dinner.
Place, Type, Approx. Entree $
Mayan Mexican $10
Tucanos Brazilian $Ouch (better at lunch)
Red Robin Burgers (endless fries) $8
PF Changs Chinese $10
Others??? Greek, Chinese, Mexican
Buffet, ...
Well there are lots of places to eat up here for those down south Jane found a place she likes called Rumbi Island grill you wouldn't see down there....
Please comment and let me know your votes. We could even try Thai
Monday, July 28, 2008
Friday, July 25, 2008
A quarter of life
It's kind of funny how you can know something and then you can get something. You can know that 2 x 3 = 6, and you can get that 2 x 3 is two added to itself three times, and that is six. You can know something for a long time, and then you wake up one day and you get it.
People often say they have this kind of experience with testimony. You can think you know something about a principle of the Gospel, and then something might happen that makes you really get it. The phrase from the song on the seminary soundtrack -- "I learned with my heart / what I knew in my mind " sums it up well. Interesting that there are these two separate parts of our understanding, and it's hard for one side to convince the other without some kind of catalyst getting involved.
Yesterday I turned 25. I'm still young, for sure, but I had a get it experience nonetheless. Many people say they finally feel "grown up" when they turn 25. I'd have to say I agree somewhat, but the experience was bigger than that for me. For some reason I finally realized that I am actually going to grow up. While my brain could have told you better, my heart (for lack of something better to call it) was living in a delusion of eternal youth. I woke up yesterday morning and got it, that I am mortal.
Mortal people, I've discovered, have slightly different priorities than immortal ones. When time is recognized as a finite resource, one starts to wonder if he is making the best use of it. This is why, I believe, old people think time travels faster. They're running out of it. I remember that 5 years ago yesterday, I was in Barra da Lagoa, Florianopolis, Brazil holding the "Concurso da melhor torta (best pie contest)", a activation/fellowshipping activity. I got sang to and we all ate an unhealthy amount of various types of pie. I can't believe it was 5 years ago.
I can figure that I've probably used up about a quarter of my mortal life. What am I going to do with that time? Can I use it better than I've used the last 25 years? Fortunately, I get to skip the long stretches of diapers, incommunicatability, and public school now. I'm starting to become one of those people who is afraid of time just slipping through my fingers, like sand slips through that tiny hole in an hour-glass.
Here's the other part of realizing your life won't last forever: it comes with a realization that you're going to die. I've always known that I was going to die, it's a natural thing to do, and even for people with larger perspectives on existence that aren't limited to mortality accept the fact that death is part of the Plan, whatever plan it is they put their faith in. Now, however, I really get that I'm going to die.
That's ok, though, because I know that dying is not the end of things, right? But even if I know it, I really only half know it. That's a problem. Now that I get the fact that I'm going to die someday, it's really important now to get the principle that I'm not going to cease existence when my heart stops beating.
Is there something that you only halfway know? Is there some part of your testimony that hasn't been really examined because you haven't had a reason to really get the principle behind it? How do you make that happen? How do you learn with your heart what your mind already knows?
Heres one thing I think I got yesterday. There's a reason behind mortality. I imagine that when we're born, we're handed a saw, a hammer, and a bucket of nails and set in a forest. We are to use our saw, hammer and nails to build a building. Every day we are to make this building taller. On day one, we look around, and we see the trees around us, and that's all. "Neat!" we think, "trees to make a tower out of!" and we go after them with our saw, and once we have some lumber we start to build our building. Every day, as the building gets taller, our perspective changes a bit. After a while, the tower gets taller than the trees, and we can see beyond them. We might see mountains, lakes, streams, other towers, and as the tower grows we'll see more and more of the world. All of the sudden for me, life became a matter of perspective, and every day I get older, that perspective changes, and things that weren't as important become more so as other things seem less important than before.
There is something to be learned by living, knowing that you are going to die. Mortality challenges our hearts to internalize what we are taught about eternity. Now that I realize that I'm mortal, I'm going to try to see every day as valuable because not only am I going to run out of days at some point, but because every day offers a new perspective on the world, an opportunity to not just know something, but to really get it. I'm headed to the temple this afternoon as Joseph's fiance goes for the first time, and I'll be interested to take my new perspective on mortality with me. Hopefully it's a step, maybe a catalyst in bringing a testimony of immortality in to my heart, where it really needs to be.
People often say they have this kind of experience with testimony. You can think you know something about a principle of the Gospel, and then something might happen that makes you really get it. The phrase from the song on the seminary soundtrack -- "I learned with my heart / what I knew in my mind " sums it up well. Interesting that there are these two separate parts of our understanding, and it's hard for one side to convince the other without some kind of catalyst getting involved.
Yesterday I turned 25. I'm still young, for sure, but I had a get it experience nonetheless. Many people say they finally feel "grown up" when they turn 25. I'd have to say I agree somewhat, but the experience was bigger than that for me. For some reason I finally realized that I am actually going to grow up. While my brain could have told you better, my heart (for lack of something better to call it) was living in a delusion of eternal youth. I woke up yesterday morning and got it, that I am mortal.
Mortal people, I've discovered, have slightly different priorities than immortal ones. When time is recognized as a finite resource, one starts to wonder if he is making the best use of it. This is why, I believe, old people think time travels faster. They're running out of it. I remember that 5 years ago yesterday, I was in Barra da Lagoa, Florianopolis, Brazil holding the "Concurso da melhor torta (best pie contest)", a activation/fellowshipping activity. I got sang to and we all ate an unhealthy amount of various types of pie. I can't believe it was 5 years ago.
I can figure that I've probably used up about a quarter of my mortal life. What am I going to do with that time? Can I use it better than I've used the last 25 years? Fortunately, I get to skip the long stretches of diapers, incommunicatability, and public school now. I'm starting to become one of those people who is afraid of time just slipping through my fingers, like sand slips through that tiny hole in an hour-glass.
Here's the other part of realizing your life won't last forever: it comes with a realization that you're going to die. I've always known that I was going to die, it's a natural thing to do, and even for people with larger perspectives on existence that aren't limited to mortality accept the fact that death is part of the Plan, whatever plan it is they put their faith in. Now, however, I really get that I'm going to die.
That's ok, though, because I know that dying is not the end of things, right? But even if I know it, I really only half know it. That's a problem. Now that I get the fact that I'm going to die someday, it's really important now to get the principle that I'm not going to cease existence when my heart stops beating.
Is there something that you only halfway know? Is there some part of your testimony that hasn't been really examined because you haven't had a reason to really get the principle behind it? How do you make that happen? How do you learn with your heart what your mind already knows?
Heres one thing I think I got yesterday. There's a reason behind mortality. I imagine that when we're born, we're handed a saw, a hammer, and a bucket of nails and set in a forest. We are to use our saw, hammer and nails to build a building. Every day we are to make this building taller. On day one, we look around, and we see the trees around us, and that's all. "Neat!" we think, "trees to make a tower out of!" and we go after them with our saw, and once we have some lumber we start to build our building. Every day, as the building gets taller, our perspective changes a bit. After a while, the tower gets taller than the trees, and we can see beyond them. We might see mountains, lakes, streams, other towers, and as the tower grows we'll see more and more of the world. All of the sudden for me, life became a matter of perspective, and every day I get older, that perspective changes, and things that weren't as important become more so as other things seem less important than before.
There is something to be learned by living, knowing that you are going to die. Mortality challenges our hearts to internalize what we are taught about eternity. Now that I realize that I'm mortal, I'm going to try to see every day as valuable because not only am I going to run out of days at some point, but because every day offers a new perspective on the world, an opportunity to not just know something, but to really get it. I'm headed to the temple this afternoon as Joseph's fiance goes for the first time, and I'll be interested to take my new perspective on mortality with me. Hopefully it's a step, maybe a catalyst in bringing a testimony of immortality in to my heart, where it really needs to be.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Happy Old Day
This being the one birthday that I can remember other than my own, I want to take a moment to reflect.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY YA OLD FOGIES!!!
A quarter of a century and not looking any younger. :D
Happy Pioneer Day everyone
HAPPY BIRTHDAY YA OLD FOGIES!!!
A quarter of a century and not looking any younger. :D
Happy Pioneer Day everyone
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
At 30
While doing some reading earlier this morning I was looking for a short story I heard a while ago about growing up. Here it is. No title, no author, but the message remains just as stunning:
"When I grow up, I'm going to be a movie star!" a boy told his Dad, who smiled as his son shared what the wondrous future held in store for him.
"You certainly may. You've always been a great kid, and not too long from now you'll be leaving to make your place in the world. At 20, you'll have some success and might adopt even bigger dreams. The next 10 years after that will be filled with many experiences that will prepare you for when you finally turn 30." The boy couldn't hold back his excitement! He started to imagine that big break and what would happen after that. "Around 25 you'll have passed through some hard times and made many sacrifices to hold onto your dreams. Many give up at this point, but you'll ignore the doubts others have in you, and you'll be loyal to your dreams. You'll hunger for success, and wait for the day that all the hurt and discomfort of not living your dreams comes to an end... but you'll only have to wait 'till you're 30." The boy was getting anxious by now. "So, what will happen when I'm 30?" He inquired with a big smile. Then his Dad, exhausted from a long day at work, looked down to him with a sigh, and answered "At 30, you'll get used to it."
"When I grow up, I'm going to be a movie star!" a boy told his Dad, who smiled as his son shared what the wondrous future held in store for him.
"You certainly may. You've always been a great kid, and not too long from now you'll be leaving to make your place in the world. At 20, you'll have some success and might adopt even bigger dreams. The next 10 years after that will be filled with many experiences that will prepare you for when you finally turn 30." The boy couldn't hold back his excitement! He started to imagine that big break and what would happen after that. "Around 25 you'll have passed through some hard times and made many sacrifices to hold onto your dreams. Many give up at this point, but you'll ignore the doubts others have in you, and you'll be loyal to your dreams. You'll hunger for success, and wait for the day that all the hurt and discomfort of not living your dreams comes to an end... but you'll only have to wait 'till you're 30." The boy was getting anxious by now. "So, what will happen when I'm 30?" He inquired with a big smile. Then his Dad, exhausted from a long day at work, looked down to him with a sigh, and answered "At 30, you'll get used to it."
Lions, tigers, and kids! Oh my!
My lil' bro' Joseph (aka "Joe," among other names), is getting married on the 31st of this month, and Ashley and I have decided to head toward the land of summer atmospheric inversions a day early to enjoy some time at the Zoo (a first for me). You all are invited to attend, and we are wondering if any of you can make it, and if so, when would be the best time (on the 30th) to go.
Friday, July 18, 2008
Keep Dreaming
(Just wanted to share this poem I found today, hope others will find it as encouraging as I do.)
I've dreamed many dreams that never came true.
I've seen them vanish at dawn.
But I've realized enough of my dreams, you see,
To make me want to dream on.
I've prayed many prayers when no answers came,
Though I waited patient and long,
But answers came to enough of my prayers
To make me keep praying on.
I've trusted many a friend that failed
And left me to weep alone,
But I've found enough of my friends true blue
To make me keep trusting on.
I've sown many seeds that fell by the way
For the birds to feed upon,
But I've held enough golden sheaves in my hands
To make me keep sowing on.
I've drained the cup of disappointment and pain,
And gone many days without song,
But I've sipped enough nectar from the roses of life
To make me want to live on.
~~ Author Unknown ~~
I've dreamed many dreams that never came true.
I've seen them vanish at dawn.
But I've realized enough of my dreams, you see,
To make me want to dream on.
I've prayed many prayers when no answers came,
Though I waited patient and long,
But answers came to enough of my prayers
To make me keep praying on.
I've trusted many a friend that failed
And left me to weep alone,
But I've found enough of my friends true blue
To make me keep trusting on.
I've sown many seeds that fell by the way
For the birds to feed upon,
But I've held enough golden sheaves in my hands
To make me keep sowing on.
I've drained the cup of disappointment and pain,
And gone many days without song,
But I've sipped enough nectar from the roses of life
To make me want to live on.
~~ Author Unknown ~~
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
A few meandering thoughts:
You know, I really don't know how many times I've wondered at how it could have been possible for me to have become connected with the friends I have. Men of vision. Men of faith. Men of integrity. Men of genuineness. What is more important than having associations with people like that? People that have a real desire to grow? People without pretense, people who are driven by genuine desire and love? Am I dreaming here?
To be brutally honest, I don't really think our little group is the best pieces of Edison, Disney, Lasseter, Jobs, and Henson all rolled in to one. I know that there is real danger in believing oneself to be elite or better in some way than all the others. I can't say that 95% of the other people in the world don't feel the same way I do about their own friends, but I really don't care about that. It doesn't lessen my amazement and gratitude very much.
We may not be the Pixar brain trust, or as visionary as the founders of our Nation, but I do know we have vision and creative spirit, and like any skills these can be honed and nurtured. We're young yet.
We are still dealing with barriers, but we're growing. We still fear, but we're growing. We still doubt, but we're growing. Our vision is not focused as much as it may need to be, but we are growing. Life is school, right?
We talk about changing the world, about making positive contributions to our fellow travelers on this planet, and these discussions often to point to amassing financial resources which we can use to bless the lives of others. True, money can be a powerful instrument for good, and I truly hope that we'll someday have the power to be wisely charitable with vast financial resources, however, this I believe: Each of Heavenly Father's children comes to this Earth endowed with gifts, and at the end of the week, we'll be measured on how we applied those gifts. If Nathan's gift is to communicate through the works of his hands, let those works be his tools for good. Ked by media, Abe by his versatility, and so on for each other person on the planet. Let us remember that life is short, both for us and for our brothers and sisters. What will leave a more lasting impact -- sharing a personal, divine gift, or writing a check? It's not about changing the world, it's about changing people. That's the sticky bit, though, you can't change people. You love people. Is it possible to make every choice one motivated by love? Instead of a focus on producing money, is it possible to focus on producing love? Beyond the necessity of paying the bills, I feel there's a greater application of our talents.
We're getting ever closer to fulfilling our dreams, and I'd just like to make this one point: Let us follow or dreams, in their purity, and not muddle them up with other ideas that may not be as inspired. This just occurred to me, really, that it may not be our job in the great plan to be the billionaires who sponsor scores of missionaries and send tons of rice (or half-eaten sandwiches) to starving kids in China. Money is a tricky thing, and while I think it's possible, and even appropriate at times, it's touchy business to love somebody with a signature on a bank note or a stack of Benjamins (the green ones). In this regard, good models for us would be Charlie and Donna Cooley of the Happy Factory.
Whatever our gifts may be, money, influence, fame, humility, obscurity, media, programming, puppets and costumes, or whatever, let us become all that we're able, let us learn to abolish barriers, let us be active pupils and follow our dreams in this school that's called life, but through it all, let us love.
So, looking forward -- where do we go from here?
"Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not." (D&C 6:36)
I don't know, specifically. I think the answer is something like: follow the trail of your dreams while looking up. Yeah, it's a faith thing.
You know, I really don't know how many times I've wondered at how it could have been possible for me to have become connected with the friends I have. Men of vision. Men of faith. Men of integrity. Men of genuineness. What is more important than having associations with people like that? People that have a real desire to grow? People without pretense, people who are driven by genuine desire and love? Am I dreaming here?
To be brutally honest, I don't really think our little group is the best pieces of Edison, Disney, Lasseter, Jobs, and Henson all rolled in to one. I know that there is real danger in believing oneself to be elite or better in some way than all the others. I can't say that 95% of the other people in the world don't feel the same way I do about their own friends, but I really don't care about that. It doesn't lessen my amazement and gratitude very much.
We may not be the Pixar brain trust, or as visionary as the founders of our Nation, but I do know we have vision and creative spirit, and like any skills these can be honed and nurtured. We're young yet.
We are still dealing with barriers, but we're growing. We still fear, but we're growing. We still doubt, but we're growing. Our vision is not focused as much as it may need to be, but we are growing. Life is school, right?
We talk about changing the world, about making positive contributions to our fellow travelers on this planet, and these discussions often to point to amassing financial resources which we can use to bless the lives of others. True, money can be a powerful instrument for good, and I truly hope that we'll someday have the power to be wisely charitable with vast financial resources, however, this I believe: Each of Heavenly Father's children comes to this Earth endowed with gifts, and at the end of the week, we'll be measured on how we applied those gifts. If Nathan's gift is to communicate through the works of his hands, let those works be his tools for good. Ked by media, Abe by his versatility, and so on for each other person on the planet. Let us remember that life is short, both for us and for our brothers and sisters. What will leave a more lasting impact -- sharing a personal, divine gift, or writing a check? It's not about changing the world, it's about changing people. That's the sticky bit, though, you can't change people. You love people. Is it possible to make every choice one motivated by love? Instead of a focus on producing money, is it possible to focus on producing love? Beyond the necessity of paying the bills, I feel there's a greater application of our talents.
We're getting ever closer to fulfilling our dreams, and I'd just like to make this one point: Let us follow or dreams, in their purity, and not muddle them up with other ideas that may not be as inspired. This just occurred to me, really, that it may not be our job in the great plan to be the billionaires who sponsor scores of missionaries and send tons of rice (or half-eaten sandwiches) to starving kids in China. Money is a tricky thing, and while I think it's possible, and even appropriate at times, it's touchy business to love somebody with a signature on a bank note or a stack of Benjamins (the green ones). In this regard, good models for us would be Charlie and Donna Cooley of the Happy Factory.
Whatever our gifts may be, money, influence, fame, humility, obscurity, media, programming, puppets and costumes, or whatever, let us become all that we're able, let us learn to abolish barriers, let us be active pupils and follow our dreams in this school that's called life, but through it all, let us love.
So, looking forward -- where do we go from here?
"Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not." (D&C 6:36)
I don't know, specifically. I think the answer is something like: follow the trail of your dreams while looking up. Yeah, it's a faith thing.
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