Man Camp Redux

Check the link in the previous post for the man camp scheduling. I believe we have a few but not all yet. Once everyone weighs in their it will be a little easier to figure when we could all be there. Thanks, A

Man Camp Scheduling

So 3rd Weekend in June 6/15-6/18 (roughly) is the proposed date for our "Man Camp" please leave your Yea or Nay in the comments. Also, if you would like to receive blog comments by email let you can say so in the comments and I will give you that privilege.

So I should have done this before, but for some reason I didn't. This is a link to a scheduling Poll. http://www.doodle.com/drm3m5qvs5vf44pw#table

Man Camp and Psychology

In relation to the last post. There are two great hikes in Kanarraville. The one at the south end of town where you don't have to cross water that much. And the falls trails where you are always crossing the water or in water. I would like to explore both more. Those would be great options as we wouldn't have to drive very far.

In relation to psychology in the title: I have lots of random hobby topics that I research and one of those is psychology things. I have often wondered why I am the way I am--not that I believe psychology can answer all those things or that it provides the understanding of the origin either, but they have excellent research that I tie in with spiritual understanding. Sometimes I have found something about myself either by experience or even something mentioned in my patriarchal blessing and I can google those things and learn a lot.

All this is typed on the fly, so my thoughts aren't too organized. I should have given a ramble alert.

One thing I've learned about is the high sensation seeking trait. Some people are wired so that they need more sensation. There are a variety of outlets for these people--good and bad. Bad outlets: drugs, crime, sex, etc. Good outlets: adventure, travel, creativity, etc. I have always explored my surroundings. From my first neighborhood I would venture out into the fields and explore for miles around. Same thing in Cedar, in Provo, and in Cedar again. I need to see new canyons, caves, peaks, valleys, etc. I have also channeled some of this into creativity. Exploring new ideas, stories, images, and sounds is fascinating as well. Yet, I can't do just one of those things. I always yearn to travel in the real world and in the imaginary.

Now, psychology might say that I was born this way or that my brain became wired this way as I grew up, yadda, yadda, yadda. I believe that this is part of who I was before I was born. My stake president told me "Your mission will be a great adventure." Inspired words. I think Heavenly Father said the same thing to me when I came down to earth. There are things for me to explore here in this life. However, some of these things I explore for others as well.

That's why I adventure. That's why I travel. That's why I dress up in silly costumes, talk in accents, jump off things, climb things, make up stories, imagine crazy things. I think that's all for now. I'm hungry.

Man Camp

I think a camp out once in a while is a great idea. Time out with the guys, in nature, away from all of the hustle and bustle... we could finally pull off a real Starcraft party without interruption.

Just kidding...

I have fond memories of when James and I hiked Pine Valley, spending the night off the side of the trail in some random place, just because. Or rather, a fond memory, because we only did it once, but it was fun.

We wouldn't necessarily have to backpack, but I know there are a few hundred awesome places around here that I've not experienced, places like Kanara creek falls, or even places somewhere between So. Utah and our No. Utah counterpart.

I second the motion, and propose we get something on the calendar. Just stick it on there. It may be unlikely to get all of us at the same time, but let's plan something anyway. 2nd or 3rd weekends in June, or sometime in July is my pitch.

The New Adventure Glove

Some of you may find this trivial and mutter something under your breath about your inbox being filled with my random posts...but this...is magnificent.

I was walking through Cal Ranch when the glory days of high school adventure came back in a rush. There on the wall was something reminiscent of those days, yet more advanced, sleek, and powerful. I present to you the Carhartt Pro-Palm Glove, lovingly termed by me as "The New Adventure Glove.

My wife promised to get me some for my birthday, but I think she's hesitant now. As I slipped the form fitting piece over my hand I could feel the power my hands were wielding. Instantly I wanted to go climb the alley by IFA (old Albertsons) or explore the mine in Milford or tackle some new and...less criminal adventure.

You see, my gloving days go back to when I lived in Vernal. I was probably under the age of ten when I learned you could climb the posts of our pavilion with my mom's yellow-rubber cleaning gloves. I did that every time I cleaned. Later in life I found my black leather work gloves very suitable for adventuring. Of course they didn't have the stick factor of dipped latex or anything, but they had good grip and were well used in scouting. They were the ones I used when ascending the heights of our former educational institution. I still have them in a box somewhere. Maybe I'll put them on display in a glass box someday.

Later my father gave me some baseball batting gloves that had been on sale at a sporting goods store--a combination of fabric, leather, and a small amount of rubber. I used these often too and wore them out. Later I bought some while in Provo and they were invaluable when I was descending many steep, wooded mountainsides. You can descend incredibly steep graded hillsides when you can grab onto the trees. Let me tell you--it's the ultimate bush-wacking experience.

SO, if anyone wants to do something...exciting this summer-let me know. Ghost towns, crazy canyons, etc. I know, we've got kids and wives. But I've got adventure gloves and we need camping with the guys and such. OOh...adventure gloves are calling.

I thought about making a Ked's poetry corner for these, but not enough time.

The Mine

So, I went for a drive with Madeleine and Mairead the other day. I decided to pay a visit to our old stomping grounds to see what had changed. Like somebody had said, the place had been reopened and this is what is there. New towers, conveyor belts, etc.

An Idea

Over the past year or two I have thought about a subject that has penetrated deeper into my life: personal apostasy. I've had family members leave the church, but that was a while ago. In the past few years I've had several roommates leave the church, some declare they were homosexual, etc. I've really thought long and hard about why people leave the church. That is not exactly why I'm writing here today.

Sometimes when people leave the church they become antagonistic towards it and religion in general. Back when I checked Facebook more regularly I was always disappointed in friends posting huge essays (along with daily smaller comments) about religion being stupid or some intellectual reasoning against religion. Also many essays on homosexuality, anti-mormon propaganda (kinderhook plates, temple ceremonies, etc.) and other things.

It was as if the social network was not only good for keeping in contact with friends, but spreading beliefs be they true or untrue. I have often thought to combat this.

I was religion writer for the newspaper at BYU and I wrote for LDS Living. I've come into contact with uber amounts of anti-mormon propaganda, interviewed religion specialists from across the country. I think it could be a good thing for me to do, given a certain amount of dedication.

Most recently I heard of a couple I knew very well from high school. I even had a crush on the girl for a while. I thought these individuals were spectacular and that together they were amazing. They have now left the church and are somewhat anti-religion. They have made me think more about this project. I often thought about doing it alone, but decided I'd throw it on here for thoughts.

What if we started an essay blog or essay collection on facebook. We could call it Writers for Religion or something. If we had more time, we could do a podcast. Basically, this would be like a religion column in the paper, like the ones Orson Scott Card does for Deseret News. It would be about religious topics that we feel are pertinent to our time. One major one I would want to do is the logic of God. If our faith is to be tested, would God give us a 100% fool-proof scientifically proven test? Would there be questions about ceremonies, archaeology, the Book of Abraham? I've written some about this because I had a roommate who loved logic, but couldn't see this simple logic for why we have unanswered questions about our church.

Any thoughts on the subject? It could be another project we toss in the trash can, but I might still do it alone....sometime in the future. I see the great value of it and what it could become. It would just take some effort.