Sobering Statistics

We live in a world full of information and sometimes we don't realize how fast it's changing. While this video is maybe a little alarmist, they are interesting things to think about. Hope you enjoy it.

Me Unplugged

Twice this week I have lost power for extended time. On Sunday the power was out from around 9:30pm to after midnight. And then Wednesday morning the power went off very early in the morning and didn't come on until I was at work.

Normally it seems that when I loose power at my house it doesn't take too long for it to come back on. Last Sunday when it went out, I was in the middle of rearranging my furniture and cleaning since I was hosting FHE the next evening. I carefully felt my way around the furniture in their unusual locations until I got to the kitchen and found my emergency flashlight. I then lit candles through out the first floor. It was almost like I had regular lighting. But what I didn't have was TV, computer, music, etc. So I had to find a way to entertain myself until the power returned. I started reading a neglected stack of magazines. That didn't last long. Soon I turned to my new iPhone and started playing a little Sudoku and texting a friend who was also lacking power. But when the power on my phone started to get low, I decided that I better save some juice in case it might have to be my alarm clock for Monday morning. Eventually I decided the power was not coming back on anytime soon and went to bed with a headlamp and a book. It was a quiet evening until I was awoken just past midnight from the noise of my television downstairs.

During all this quiet time, it just made me realize just how noisy my daily life is. When I'm at home my TV is generally running or there is music playing. And when I'm at work, it's a rare occasion that iTunes is not busy. It made me think that maybe I shouldn't be so disturbed by the quiet and that I should spend more time without all the distractions. Since that thought the power is back and so is the noise. But maybe I'll turn off radio when I drive. Maybe. And even if I don't at least I'm going to be more grateful for electricity.

Nurses to the Rescue

Tonight at the gym I witnessed a scary incident. I was about 15 minutes into my cardio routine on the elliptical machine when the girl on the treadmill in front of me started behaving strangely. The girl began looking to her right and then started turning around. Initially I thought she was doing one of those tricky maneuvers and was going to run backwards. But she was looking up at the ceiling and before long she fell off the treadmill. Then I thought that maybe she had just fallen and was going to get up. I have seen people fall before and they are generally a little embarrassed and hope that no one noticed. So I kept exercising not wanting to draw too much attention to her. But she just laid there and was obviously out of it. I was definitely at a loss as to what to do. I panicked. Fortunately the gym was packed and several girls rushed over to help take care of her. The one girl obviously knew what she was doing. She later explained to the gym staff that she was a certified nurse. She started taking her vitals while others notified the gyms staff who then called the paramedics. I was so glad that there was someone there that knew what to do. They got her comfortable and kept talking to her. Then they moved her to her side when she started foaming at the mouth. (I don't know if that is the right term but that is what it looked like.) Soon the paramedics arrived to take care of her the nurse and the other helpers quietly faded into the background. Eventually the girl came around with some oxygen from the paramedics and some rest.

I thought, how great that someone who has those skills is willing to step up and help when it is needed. It reminded me of my sisters who are also nurses. I know that they also have helped out in similar situations at a moment's notice. I admire that and tonight I was especially grateful for the nurse who helped. Thank you, nurses!

Geefle and Gonk

Last Thursday I worked out my back and bicep muscles for the first time in quite a while. I didn't hold back and they started to ache yesterday. When I woke up this morning they were really quite sore. I was having a hard time straightening out my arms and it reminded me of a few of the muppets on Sesame Street, one of which could not bend his arms. (The exact opposite of my problem. In case you are now confused.) So I thought I would Google and see if I could find any reference to those muppets. Sure enough. Here's the whole skit exactly as I remembered it. Thought you might enjoy it too.

I Want My Fritos®, and They Better Be Fresh!

Today for lunch my friend and coworker, Jason, wanted to head down to Barnes and Noble in Orem from our offices in Pleasant Grove. Since we were making the "big drive" to south Orem, we decided to eat at Sensuous Sandwiches, an old favorite of ours. We got there and they were doing some hopping business. We placed our orders: me an eight inch Tantalizer with everything and Jason a eight inch Stimulator. We then got our drink and found a seat with none other than our friend and former coworker Robert D. We sat and chatted a while until our names were called. We both then went and stood in line while they were ringing up one lady in front of us that was picking up a group order. Meanwhile they kept on calling out names of customers who's sandwiches were ready. They were getting quite the stack. Then we realized that the woman in front of us was checking the date on each of the bags of chips. She asked the girl at the register, "Don't you have any newer Fritos?" Jason and I just had to laugh. Are Fritos really ever fresh? And even if they are not fresh, don't you think the shelf-life is much longer than a sandwich stop could hold onto them? So next time you get your Fritos, make sure they are fresh!

The Dangers of Racquetball

As you probably know I have been playing racquetball with my nephew. It has been a lot of fun. But it had also reminded me that I am getting older. Between my "racquetball shoulder," pulling a glut, and my tender ankle, I am wondering if I am up to this. I'm hoping they will all go away as I play more. All of these have been self inflicted injuries but on Saturday I received my second direct racquetball to the body. The previous week my nephew smacked me in the arm with the ball. I had a nice bruise from that one. This time he slammed the ball into my side. When I showered this morning, this is what I noticed. Maybe it would help if I wasn't such a large target!

I iPhone

So I did it. I've been talking about it and talking about it. But this time I actually did it. I bought an iPhone!

The past two weeks I have been without my home phone. Thanks MStar! I have been considering dropping that phone line anyway and just using a cell phone. So doing without it for two weeks was just the push that I needed I guess. My previous phone was a little Motorola flip phone. I could never hear really great on it and I never loved that phone anyway. So I guess it was time for a new one.

Today in church I was already finding new uses for my phone. No, I'm not talking about playing games during sacrament meeting. But I decided to see if there was an application for my phone that would allow me to count attendance at church. Sure enough there is a Tally Counter. Unfortunately I didn't get it downloaded in time for this week. But I'll be trying it out next week. Also my "man bag" as I like to call it, was significantly lighter today. Now I can use my iPhone instead of my old scriptures.

When I signed up, I did it on my brother's family plan where they already had unlimited text messaging and more minutes than they ever use. Thanks, Ben! And I'm dropping my home phone soon. So in the end even though I had to buy the phone, I will be saving at least $20 a month. Ye haw!