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Waiting for a train to nowhere.

2011-05-15T17:23:00.000-07:00

Day #13: Your least favorite song

2011-05-15T10:58:00.002-07:00

Okay, I haven't posted for months. 'Nuff said.

"Love is a Song" from Bambi never really did anything for me.

Coming up, a few interesting topics, and perhaps a family update.

Day #12: Your favorite villain song

2010-12-04T15:24:00.002-07:00

Here's three celebrating villainy. I think Oogie Boogie is probably the worst Disney villain out of the bunch, just for wanting to rid the world of Santa Clause for no good reason (well, he wanted to take over Halloweentown, so I guess that's a reason . . . )

Despite the sing-along-ability of the music, notice just how many acts of depravity the pirates are celebrating in song.

You may not recognize this final one. It was created for the movie that eventually became The Emperor's New Groove, originally titled Kingdom of the Son. Rather than kill Kuzco, Yzma's evil plan was to . . . well, the song explains it all.

Day #11: Your favorite love song

2010-11-20T17:43:00.002-07:00

Another tough one to decide upon.

Based upon my first post in this series, I guess the following song was inevitable.

I also like these two.

Day #10: Your favorite song

2010-11-16T16:22:00.003-07:00

I could not pick out a single song. Tough, get over it.

Actually, these are my favorite songs at the moment. I did pare these down from a larger list of about 20 songs and pieces of score. Maybe after I'm done I should do a song a day and explain why I like it.

No such luck today, though.

I grew up outside of a small town, and have seen things change. Even in the few years I've lived in my current town, I've seen a lot change just up and down the main street in town. There's something about small town life, and "Our Town" from Cars nails it on the head.

I didn't expect to like Meet the Robinsons. The ads seemed repetitive (I've got the caffeine patch), but I came out of a special preview moved almost to tears. I think "Little Wonders" by Rob Thomas had something to do with that.

Sorry, I don't mean to be so goopy and emotional. A big part of the reason I like these songs is that they register with me on a level I didn't anticipate. Jessie's sorrow over losing her best friend Emily echoed my sadness in realizing my childhood was far behind me (and Toy Story 3 reminded me of it that much more). Sara Mclachlin's "When She Loved Me" from Toy Story 2 again just hits that emotional spot.

Okay, enough for the mopey songs. I think Disney came back in a big way with Enchanted, and the broadway sensibilities of Alan Menken were perfect for this film. I struggled between So Close, Happy Working Song, and That's How You Know, and decided to go with the blockbuster. This song just feeds on itself and gets bigger and grander.

And let's try one that's not set in the 2000's, eh? The Jungle Book has always been one of my favorite Disney movies, and while "Wanna Be Like You" is much zanier, I prefer the laid back and mellow "Bear Necessities."

But even with this list, I've left out a lot of other favorites: Friend Like Me, Kiss the Girl, What's This, Why Should I Worry, Strangers Like Me, etc., not to mention theme park favorites like The Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Room and Pirates of the Caribbean.

Honorable Mention:

Check out this shot by shot remake of A Goofy Movie's "After Today."

What's been going on here.

2010-11-14T08:04:00.003-07:00

Perhaps, in addition to my postings about all things Disney, I could give an update about my family.

My daughter began Kindergarten in August. She's really been enjoying it, and has impressed her teacher. During our first parent teacher conference last month, I was told that my daughter had exceeded the testing requirements and was truly excelling in her development. She's really taken off.

My son is doing well, also. His vocabulary is growing by leaps and bounds every day, and we are amazed at the different words he's using.

My wife recently started a new job, and my job is going well, also.

We're surprised that Halloween has gone right on by and we're now looking at Thanksgiving in just a couple of weeks, with Christmas soon to come.

In all, things are getting better. 2010's definitely been better for us than 2009, and 2011's looking to be a good year as well.

Day #9: Your favorite original character (Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, etc.)

2010-11-14T07:39:00.003-07:00

Who's got the sweetest disposition? One guess, that's who. Who'd never, ever start an argument? Who never shows a bit of temperament? Who's never wrong but always right? Who'd never dream of starting a fight? Who gets stuck with all the bad luck? No one - but Donald Duck!

Donald has always been a favorite of mine. As far as he's concerned, Donald always justifies himself in whatever action he takes, often to his own detriment.

The Duck first appeared in 1934's "The Wise Little Hen" as a supporting character who found excuses to not help the hen plant or harvest her corn, but was sure ready to help her eat it. He soon became a foil for Mickey Mouse, who began his own life as a bit of a rebel and not quite the corporate mascot he is today. Donald's personality was perfect to fill this change in Mickey's demeanor.

Ready to fight for his (perceived) rights at the drop of a hat, he often gets his comeuppance, but rarely learns his lesson. I've included one of my all time favorite shorts "Donald's Snow Fight," which happens to be one of the first Donald cartoons I remember watching (I've also included it to commemmorate the first big snowfall affecting many of my family members for this year). Enjoy, as Donald turns what could have been a fun few hours into the snow into an all out war with his nephews.

Tours Departing Daily

2010-11-13T11:40:00.002-07:00

For your consideration.

Please check out toursdepartingdaily.com. This website provides stunning HDR images from Disneyland. Those who might follow my albums on Facebook and Flikr might understand why I like this site. He not only gets spectacular shots of the big attractions, but also finds the quiet and overlooked details which Disney places in the parks so well.

Day #8: Your favorite villain

2010-11-12T18:27:00.004-07:00

My favorite villain is . . . Procrastination!!!

Sorry I've fallen so far out of step with updating my blog. I'm inspired by my friends and family who take the time to update on a daily basis, and I've got the time in the afternoons, when I'm not wrangling kids, to focus on blogging.
When I saw this topic, I really was not sure which villain to choose from (maybe that's the reason I took so long - yeah, that's the ticket). Maleficent and Chernabog make up the biggest of the baddies, and you can't argue with the too-close-to-real-life villany of Lady Tremaine, Cruella De Ville, MacLeach, and Madame Medusa. Jafar, Captain Hook, Yzma, Gaston, Hades, the Horned King, the Wicked Queen, Mad Madame Mim, Strombolli . . . nearly every Disney movie has a definable villian.

But who is the ultimate villain. Which one encompases the whole of the Disney pantheon of evil?

He had a pegleg once . . .

Pete, once known as Peg-Leg Pete, actually pre-dates Mickey. Pete, looking more like a bear, first appeared in Walt Disney's Alice Comedies, a series of mixed live action and animated shorts in which a little girl from the real world interacts with the cartoon world. Pete was also featured in Disney's Oswald cartoons as a major villain.

Pete terrorized Mickey as the owner of the steamboat in Steamboat Willy. He's been both a sheriff and outlaw. He's locked horns with Donald, Pluto, and Chip and Dale. Pete's turn as the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come in "Mickey's Christmas Carol" was probably the first time I recognized his character, and as the spectral representation of death frightened this 7 year old.

Even some of his most recent turns have been interesting, as the harsh neighbor of Goofy on "Goof Troop." In one of his most diabolical schemes, he manages to turn the goof against his own son in "A Goofy Movie." Pete continues his villainy in the "Kingdom Hearts" video games, and has a role in the upcoming "Epic Mickey"

In all, Pete's been around the longest, and has been up against the best of them, yet he still keeps coming back for more.

Hula Hoopla

2010-10-04T17:52:00.000-07:00

Chim Chum

2010-09-10T20:32:00.003-07:00

Check out my friend Adrian's daily web comic Chim Chum and the Portly Samurai.

Happy Birthday Disneyland

2010-07-17T07:57:00.006-07:00

Happy 55th Birthday to Disneyland.

I like to think this is what Walt saw as he toured the park in the morning, empty, quiet, and ready to create magic.

“To all who come to this happy place; welcome. Disneyland is your land. Here age relives fond memories of the past...and here youth may savor the challenge and promise of the future. Disneyland is dedicated to the ideals, the dreams and the hard facts that have created America...with the hope that it will be a source of joy and inspiration to all the world.”

"Disneyland will never be completed. It will continue to grow as long as there is imagination left in the world."

- Walt Disney

Day 7: Favorite Sidekick.

2010-07-04T15:01:00.003-07:00

I'm veering away from animated films for today's post. It was Tennessee Steinmetz that an unfortuate Jim Douglas turned to after losing his last race. Tennessee, an enlightened artist who utilized car parts for his medium of choice, spent time with Buddhist monks, which explains why he recognizes Herbie as an individual.

"We take machines and we stuff 'em with information until they're smarter than we are. Take a car. Most guys spread more love and time and money on their car in a week than they do on their wife and kids in a year. Pretty soon, you know what? The machine starts to think it *is* somebody. "

Buddy Hackett's portrayal of Tennessee was a great combination of true friend, spiritualist, offbeat artist, and goofy guy along for the ride just hits all of the right notes for me. Of course, Hackett went on to portray another know-it-all sidekick.

Day 6: Favorite Animal

2010-06-30T21:13:00.002-07:00

Just kidding.

Actually, my favorite animals from a Disney film are the penguins from Mary Poppins.

Day 5: Favorite Hero

2010-06-29T20:24:00.003-07:00

"Now Woody, he's been my pal for as long as I can remember. He's brave, like a cowboy should be. And kind, and smart. But the thing that makes Woody special, is he'll never give up on you... ever. He'll be there for you, no matter what. "

Andy, Toy Story 3

I have friends a lot like Woody. Friends who never give up, who are there when you need them. I hope you know who you are.

Day Four: Favorite Pixar Character

2010-06-28T22:01:00.002-07:00

LDS missionaries are not allowed to go see movies. We had other responsibilities to attend to, but I have to admit it was very difficult to know that the theater in the next town over had an extended showing of a movie animated not by hand, but by computer. Being the all around animation nut I am, it took everything I had to stick to the straight and narrow through the winter of 1995, and into the following spring of 1996. Every time we drove past the theater showing an extended run of Toy Story, I just kept chanting to myself, "I'll be home in four months, and I can see what it's all about then." It was a long four months (but the best two years of my life - up to that point).

Yes, I eventually made it home from the mission field, and I did get to see Toy Story, albeit on video tape. Two years later, I waited patiently in line at the SCERA theater in Orem, Utah to see Pixar's newest offering, a bug's life. It couldn't be as good as Toy Story was, could it? I was proven wrong - a bug's life reached the mark set by Toy Story, and the start of Pixar in jokes, such as the Pizza Planet truck and the use of John Ratzenberger, started to become familiar points to watch for.

Toy Story 2 set the bar even higher and became one of the rare sequels that outdoes the original. Then came Monsters Inc.

James P. Sullivan, Monster's Inc. top scarer. Behind the fangs and fur, this monster was a regular joe, just trying to do his job to the best of his ability.

THEN SOMETHING GOES HORRIBLY WRONG!!!!!

His world is changed by a little girl. He learns that children aren't dangerous, and by the end of his first day with "Boo," she's got him twisted around her little finger. I didn't think much of it at the time.

And then my world was changed by a little girl. My daughter was born about four years after Monster's Inc. was released, and I suddenly realized why Sully was so protective of Boo. I also came to learn for myself the great feeling that accompanies the final frame of the film.

Day #3: Your favorite heroine

2010-06-27T19:46:00.005-07:00

I really should not have picked up the soundtrack to Toy Story 2 before going to see it when it was released in 1999. I had to find out the hard way that Robert Goulet was singing in the movie.

The soundtrack also included "When Somebody Loved Me." Jessie's song about Emily, the little girl who owned and forgot about her, really affected me. Where Toy Story showed the secret life of toys, Toy Story 2 dealt strongly with the fact that, eventually, children outgrow their toys, and these characters, who thrived on playtime with their owners, could become lonely and forgotten. The film also focused on the collector mentality, which I did get caught up in a few years later, that maintains that toys are for looking, not playing. But the lesson that Jessie and Woody learned is that being loved as someone's toy, even for a short time, is more important than being locked inside a gilded cage, never to be played with again, avoiding the pain and heartbreak that would inevitably come. Wait a second, I'm half afraid this post is about to turn into a review of Toy Story 3 (good movie, go see it).

Jessie was a welcome addition to the cast. While the writers gave her a valid reason to want to avoid further heartache, Jessie seems to have the biggest heart of all the Toy Story characters. She does everything big, with perhaps a little too much enthusiasm. Where Woody retains the floppy physics of a rag doll, every move Jessie makes, while perhaps exuberant, is calculated and certain. It is Jessie who helps Woody realize where he came from, and it is for Jessie's sake that Woody makes the choices he does in Toy Story 2.

Jessie has also become one of my daughter's favorite characters, which is interesting, because her other favorites are the Disney Princesses and Tinkerbell. One of my favorite Disneyland memories is of my daughter meeting Jessie and having some one on one time together in a quiet corner of the park.

As a post script, my collector mentality gave out about the time that Cars was released. I purchased the toy Cars figures to display and keep on my bookshelf, out of the reach of young children, with no intention of taking them down.

Flash forward a couple of years. My son loves his (my former) Lightning McQueen and Mater cars, and won't go to sleep without Red, the fire engine. And you know what, I'm happy they're no longer on the shelf and that the paint has become chipped from countless drops on a tile floor. My son loves them, and that's what brings them to life.

Post # 100!

2010-06-27T19:46:00.002-07:00

Nothing much to say. I'm as surprised about it as I'm sure you are.

Day 2: Favorite Muppet

2010-06-26T22:48:00.002-07:00

I admire people who can pick up the pieces and keep going on, who make lemonade out of the lemons life gives them, who continue to persevere, despite hardship and difficulty. That is why my favorite Muppet is Beaker.

Always at the mercy of the latest Muppet Labs contraption, Beaker gets right back up and takes whatever comes at him.

He might not say much, but meep meep meeep meep meep, meep meeep meep meeep meep. I don't think anyone can say it better than that.

He also plays a mean guitar.

Day 1: Favorite Character

2010-06-26T06:17:00.002-07:00

A few years ago, I worked for the Disney Store at the Fashion Place mall in Las Vegas. My interviewer asked which character I was most like. At the time, I think I either mentioned Flick - because he was willing to help others, even if they weren't sure they needed the help, and he was a quick thinker - or Stitch (Lilo and Stitch had just been released) because he knew how to have fun. However, I wasn't entirely truthful, because my favorite character wouldn't fit into a retail position, as he was a little too beastly . . .

Beauty and the Beast was released November 21, 1991. I was a junior in high school who, honestly, felt very out of place and insecure, especially when it came to girls. Upon my first viewing, I felt a connection with the Beast. He was unsure of who he was. He had accepted what he had become and convinced himself that no one could love him. Like the Beast, I was wrong about myself.

An interesting aspect I've only just come to realize, is that this is the first Disney film in which the lead male character was saved by the lead female. It was the Beast who was in need of rescuing, not Belle (okay, yeah, she wanted to escape her provincial life, but she didn't need a prince to do so, and there was that whole wolf attack thing).

As time went on, I found myself feeling more like the Beast. The broadway musical added a song to those from the film, "If I Can't Love Her," in which the Beast loses hope of Belle ever loving him. The song is very melancholy, and echoed how I felt entering the fall of 2002. One late October night, I got a call from a friend who wanted to set me up on a blind date. Before I could decline, I then got a call from the blind date, who was expecting me to pick her up the following morning. I couldn't say no, and found myself looking forward to meeting this impetuous girl. Six months later we were married. Finding my wife evoked a transformation within myself, like the Beast, only unlocked once I truly loved another, and knew they loved me in return.

Nearly eight years later, as I watch Beauty and the Beast from the perspective of a husband and parent, the film takes on a different meaning. But the Beast remains my favorite character. He reminds me of where I've been, and of the joy I've found in love.

Let's get it started, yeah

2010-06-25T20:03:00.005-07:00

Ok, I know I've taken it a bit lax on here. To be honest, I hit a wall some time ago and just couldn't think of what I could write about that I found interesting. Until the other day.

Another blog I'm following, which has also been going through the doldrums, posted a list of 30 Disney related topics. Each topic was to be the focus of a different blog post each day. I figured, what the heck, if anything can get me writing daily, that just might be it. I've seen 365 day blogs, and while I'm not quite ready to commit to that kind of goal, 30 days, with all of the brainstorming done, just might help me out.

By the way, I'm starting tomorrow. Here's the list any, in case anyone else feels like doing the same. I'd like to see what you would have to say about these topics.

Day #1: Your favorite character

Day #2: Your favorite Muppet

Day #3: Your favorite heroine

Day #4: Your favorite Pixar Character

Day #5: Your favorite hero

Day #6: Your favorite animal

Day #7: Your favorite sidekick

Day #8: Your favorite villain

Day #9: Your favorite original character (Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, etc.)

Day #10: Your favorite song

Day #11: Your favorite love song

Day #12: Your favorite villain song

Day #13: Your least favorite song

Day #14: Your favorite kiss

Day #15: The first movie you saw

Day #16: Your favorite classic

Day #17: Your least favorite classic

Day #18: Your favorite Pixar film

Day #19: Your least favorite Pixar film

Day #20: Favorite sequel

Day #21: An overrated movie

Day #22: An underrated movie

Day #23: A movie that makes you laugh

Day #24: A movie that makes you cry

Day #25: Your favorite scene from your favorite movie

Day #26: Saddest death

Day #27: Your favorite quote

Day #28: Your favorite theme park

Day #29: Your favorite theme attraction

Day #30: Your favorite theme park show

A Pirate's Life For Me

2010-04-22T10:54:00.002-07:00

I don't know why, but I think Pirates of the Caribbean remains my favorite Disneyland ride. There's something about the ride itself that I can't quite describe.

I remember in college walking to class one day. The gutters along the road were filled with water, and I couldn't help but think about riding Pirates the following week. Yeah, I've got it bad.

It's just too bad my daughter refuses to ride it.

Welcome!

2010-04-11T08:59:00.003-07:00

I recently sent out some emails, tweeted, and updated my facebook status to invite people to visit my blog. Welcome! I hope you can find something you like here, and would appreciate any comments you would like to share.

A happy Easter to all

2010-04-03T15:43:00.002-07:00

May you and your families have a blessed Easter - and don't eat too many Peeps. Otherwise, you might end up making something like this:

Sushi, meet Peepshi.

Maybe you had to be there

2010-03-29T22:17:00.004-07:00

At my previous job,wildlife could be found in the landscaping to the east of the building and parking lot. It was always neat to be out walking around on a break and happen upon a rabbit or lizard out sunning itself on the sidewalk. I remember being told there was a coyote out there one night. But I most often saw a family of quail bobbing along.

I moved from that location about two years ago, and at my current location, wildlife is not too abundant, or at least it hides much better. But on my way home tonight, I saw something that made me laugh out loud. Another family of quail, this one alongside a busy freeway on-ramp. Busy in the sense that there were a lot of cars on it, not going anywhere fast, creeping along at five miles an hour. What made me laugh was not just seeing the quail bobbing as they moved along, but they were headed the same direction as the traffic, and keeping pace with the cars. It was one of those little moments where maybe you had to be there, but it's kept a smile on my face all night.

A Day at Disneyland

2010-03-28T14:51:00.008-07:00

We went to Disneyland for the day yesterday. We made it only onto five rides/attractions, but with only six hours to be there, we did what we could and just enjoyed being there.

After accidentally leaving our stroller in Phoenix, we made an emergency stop at the Target at Harbor and Chapman. We considered renting a stroller at the park, but figured it would be less expensive to buy a cheap umbrella stroller that's much less bulky than our regular one.
Despite the crowds, there was no wait for a tram from the Mickey and Friends structure, nor at security or the main gate.

We hopped onto the Ward Kimball at Main Street and rode to Tomorrowland, where we got fastpasses for Buzz Lightyear and caught Captain EO. I really liked the floor moving in time to the music, although I was disappointed they didn't have any purple 3D glasses.

After EO, we went back to the Tomorrowland station and rode to New Orleans Square and had lunch at the Hungry Bear Restaurant. My Bacon Cheeseburger was frigid by the time it was served (I really need to suck it up and get lunch at the Blue Bayou one of these days).

We had a 20 minute wait for the Haunted Mansion. Leota's head, which wasn't floating during our last ride in February, still remained stationary.

Thought we'd try Pirates, but it had a long wait, so we took the kids to the Tiki Room. I don't watch the show anymore, I've started watching people as they watch the show - with humorous results!

We redeemed our Buzz Lightyear fastpasses, and I got my highest score yet - level 5 (thanks to the attraction coming to a full stop twice - although outside of the range of diamond targets.

After Buzz, we caught a Billy Hill show. I was surprised to learn the show's been shorted to add an additional set. While I really like Billy Hill, I was expecting a full show and was disappointed to not see Puddle Prance or the Devil Went Down to Georgia.

We took Big Thunder Trail to Fantasyland to check out the line for the teacups and Small World, which were both beyond our desire for waiting in line. We wandered into Toontown, where my wife came across a family friend from Utah she hadn't seen in over ten years.

In Toontown, we walked through Mickey's house, but opted not to wait for a picture, it was getting to be time to head back to the airport.

While my description may sound rushed, we really just took our time today enjoying the small details that really make the park fun. As a kid, I would go to the park once every two or three years. Since having an annual pass off and on over the past six years, I've gone from having to get on every ride come hell or high water, to today's experience, which was very mellow, despite the crowds. I paused to listen to the band performing at the French Market. I took the time to photograph a waterfall I hadn't noticed before on Big Thunder Mountain.

I sat back and relaxed on the train, not worried about where we were going to get off. For the first time, I really started to people watch, and to see someone enjoying an attraction for the first time. While I didn't get to do everything I wanted to do, I still enjoyed myself, and so did my family.

Well, almost. My daughter really wanted to ride Soarin', but we didn't make it over to DCA.

Be vewy vewy quiet

2010-03-27T00:46:00.002-07:00

I know, I haven't posted anything recently. I must admit it's been difficult to think of much to write lately. I've found myself going from home to work to home to kids to sleep to work to home . . . you get the idea. I'm in something of a creative writing rut, and hoping after this weekend I'll find a little bit of inspiration.

In the meantime, here's a picture of my latest papercraft: The Disneyland Skyway!

And so it goes . . .

2010-02-20T14:19:00.002-07:00

Last night found many of my friends in the Salt Lake area attending the Elton John and Billy Joel concert. It was interesting to see how many were tweeting or updating their facebook status from the show. I find it amazing at how much time we spend sharing the minutiae of our lives with others, and how much time we spend following the actions and steps of our friends.

A few months ago I came across a You Tube video with Ben Stiller and Mickey Rooney discussing the impact Twitter has on us.

Then again, if it weren't for social media, I would not have found this website.

That was new . . .

2010-02-13T07:15:00.005-07:00

After finding out that The Princess and the Frog was still playing at one of the theaters in Tempe, Haily and I took the kids out for a night on the town. Unfortunately, money's been tight for some time, so we haven't been to the movies much in the past year - in fact, we only saw Up and the 3D Toy Story double feature.

My daughter, for the first time, sat through the movie without needing to climb up on Mommy or Daddy's lap. My son's prior movie experiences have left either me or my wife leaving the the theater to tend to him. He was a little rambunctious, but watched the movie - sometimes in his seat, sometimes in Mommy's lap - but we didn't need to move from our seats to calm him down.

The presentation was a great twist. Rather than a straight telling of the Frog Prince fairy tale, the film takes the premise and creates a world where the characters are aware of the story and take matters into their own, er, flippers.

About halfway through the movie I found myself doing something I haven't caught myself doing in a long time. I had a silly grin going from ear to ear. Beginning with the introduction of Louis, a trumpet playing alligator . . .

. . . and continuing with the addition of Ray, a cajun lightning bug . . .

. . . I found myself completely caught up in the movie. It's been years since I found myself so fully enveloped by a film. I'll admit, I'm too much of a geek to lose myself in movies. I have to know how a particular effect was created, or try to comprehend a particular character's motivation. For example, early in the film, the style changes from the romantic animated form to an art deco tapestry, and in the midst of the scene found myself wondering if any previous animated films have had such a drastic change in style.

THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG: Almost There -

Later, during a very stylistic sequence after the movie had built up some steam, I was too involved to let my geek side take over to contemplate on the technical aspect of the scene.

THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG: Ma Belle Evangeline -

Dr. Facilier, is a worthy addition to the Disney rogues gallery. The clip I've included offers a bit of the background on his character by both the voice artist, David Keith, and lead animator, Bruce Smith.

The Princess and the Frog:Conjuring the Villain
Uploaded by DisneyAnimation. -

The Princess and the Frog was truly charming, and I look forward to repeated views (it is scheduled to be released on DVD in March). True, I am an avowed Disney animation nut, and will pretty much always say something good about every Disney cartoon that comes along, but this one will be ranked in my library alongside true classics such as Pinnochio, Peter Pan, The Little Mermaid, and Beauty and the Beast.

I know, this review is several months beyond all others out there, but it touched a part of me - the part that loves animation for being animation. But what I think I'll remember most is looking over at my daughter, fixated on the magic up on that movie screen.

Being Driven Crazy?

2010-02-06T16:38:00.006-07:00

Spending a quiet day at home with my kids. My wife needed to run out to the grocery store, and I offered to let her have some time to herself and watch the kids, rather than drag everyone up and down the store aisles.

We're watching Cars. My son is shouting out Lightning McQueen's name "Ightneen!" and my daughter is starting to deconstruct the movie. It took me 24 years and countless college English courses to begin to figure out that process.

Cars is an odd duck. Every other Pixar movie deals with how object, insects, monsters, fish, super heroes, rats, robots, and senior citizens deal with the everyday world around them - our world. In Cars, not only is it not our world, but no explanation is provided as to how the Cars come into existence (notice how there aren't any Cars that are depicted as children).

Despite that, it's still one of my favorite Pixar films. If I had to rate them, with the first being the best . . .

Toy Story 2
The Incredibles
Up
Toy Story
Cars
Wall-E
Finding Nemo
Ratatouille
Monsters Inc.
A Bug's Life

Although I've listed A Bug's Life as my least favorite on this list, it still has an overall high rank when compared to the offerings of other films (animated or otherwise). I trust Pixar, and look forward with anticipation for Toy Story 3, Cars 2, Monsters Inc. 2, The Bear and the Bow, and Newt.

And to think, it all started with a lamp. Actually it was a Bee. Wally B. But that's another story.

I am a leaf upon the wind.

2010-01-16T11:04:00.003-07:00

Meet Ted. He's a bug.

Ted is one of my favorite characters from the comic book series Bone. If you were to mashup The Lord of the Rings with Ducktales, you'd come up with something reasonably close to Bone.

It follows the adventures of three cousins, Fone, Phoney, and Smiley Bone as they come upon a map, drawn by a child, which leads them on an unbelievable journey into a valley filled with a variety of creatures, ranging from stupid rat creatures to bees the size of a Volkswagen, to giant mountain cats, to dragons.

I followed Bone throughout it's run, first coming across it around 1991 (I think) as I read about it in a Previews magazine. My best friend was the one who really discovered it, and I caught on soon thereafter.

Humor was a definite trademark of the early issues, with the highlight being the Great Cow Race. Later issues delved into much darker territory. The end, though, was satisfying. One of the great things, though, was that I actually came to know the characters, and was devastated when they died or suffered tragedies.

Ted could have been a throwaway character, based upon his introduction, as he seemed to be just a visual gag, which paid off a couple of issues after his debut. Ted, though, continued to appear, with some randomness, but every appearance was fun and lively. He didn't seem to let whatever situation the main characters were facing get the best of him, and he found the good in every circumstance. I'd like to be a bit more like Ted. Except the part about being a leaf bug.

That dog is never going to move . . .

2010-01-13T21:28:00.003-07:00

Had a hankering to watch "Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl" today. I don't know what sparked that idea. It may have had something to do with the fact that Adrian and I sat down the other day and watched a ride through of the attraction on iTunes, or if I heard a ride through on a podcast, or if I am just getting antsy for the next installment in the movie series.

But I got home real late and watched American Idol instead.

Never mess with someone named after a barbarian.

2010-01-12T20:35:00.002-07:00

HANDBOOK 2010

2010-01-11T18:15:00.003-07:00

One of my co-workers forwarded the following message to me earlier today. I took one look and realized that it's all about the things which we can control and those things that we can't control. I don't know who wrote it, but thought I would pass it along to everyone.

Health:
1. Drink plenty of water.
2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants..
4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy
5. Make time to pray.
6. Play more games
7. Read more books than you did in 2009 .
8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day
9. Sleep for 7 hours.
10. Take a 10-30 minutes walk daily. And while you walk, smile.

Personality:
11. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
12. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
13. Don't over do. Keep your limits.
14. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
16. Dream more while you are awake
17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need..
18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with His/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
23. Smile and laugh more.
24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree....

Society:
25. Call your family often.
26. Each day give something good to others.
27. Forgive everyone for everything..
28. Spend time w/ people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
29. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
30. What other people think of you is none of your business.
31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

Life:
32. Do the right thing!
33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
34. GOD heals everything.
35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change...
36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
37. The best is yet to come..
38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.
39. Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.

Last but not the least:
40. Please Forward this to everyone you care about.

Podcasting

2010-01-09T23:09:00.003-07:00

I was given an ipod in mid-October. I uploaded all of my CDs to my computer and enjoyed an eclectic mix of music for the first month and a half. In late November, I realized I now had an excuse to listen to podcasts - and learned how to upload a show a friend of mine has been making for the past few years. As I dipped my toe into the world of podcasting, I did a search in iTunes for "Disney," and for some reason I'm still not sure of, added Window to the Magic as my second podcast.

Window to the Magic has been a game changer for me. For anyone who remotely enjoys visiting the Disney theme parks, this show is for you. While there is some discussion at times of news, the show, for the most part, is dedicated to bringing the in park experience to your ipod. From ride throughs of attractions, to listening to the bands which perform, to in depth shows about the history of rides such as Pirates of the Caribbean and Star Tours - this podcast has it all. I can't recommend it enough, and I can honestly say you're gonna love it.

I've since been adding podcasts like crazy. I came across The Mortis Matinee, a podcast which gathers a family together to watch a Disney film, then each member of the family has an opportunity to share their own review. I recently responded to a request for reviews of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, and my email was read during the show.

I'm actually starting to wonder if I could put together a podcast, but I have no idea what it should be about. I really don't want to be derivative of anyone else, but it seems like a great outlet.

Picking up the pieces

2010-01-04T17:38:00.003-07:00

Well, take one step forward, take two steps back. Got some bad news today, but it's all about how we deal with life's interruptions - we've just got to keep on working towards the goal.

A new year

2010-01-03T15:42:00.002-07:00

I, for one, will not be too upset 2009 is behind me. It was perhaps the most difficult year I and my family have faced. It was much like the opening lines to A Tale of Two Cities - It was the best of times. It was the worst of times. We had moments of highs and lows, but the lows seemed to dominate the year.

Looking forward to 2010, there's some brightness on the near horizon. I hope you'll come along for the ride . . .

A day off

2009-11-11T21:28:00.001-07:00

I took the day off today and spent it just enjoying being with my family. I took the kids to the park to get them out of Haily's hair for a bit and we had a really good time. The kids ran around and made new friends, while I just sat back and watched them have fun.

Give me something to sing . . .er write about.

2009-10-28T21:37:00.002-07:00

Over the past couple of weeks, I've found myself listening to more music. Growing up, I never really listened to much music, although I did buy the occasional tape or CD.

I've been uploading most of my music to itunes, and realized that I have a TON of movie soundtracks. My shuffle is mostly instrumentals, peppered with the occasional song. The sad thing is I find myself skipping many of the tracks, but I've rediscovered some favorites, such as Finding Neverland and The Fifth Element. Surprisingly, most of the tracks I skip are from the Star Wars films.

The only trouble I've had is that now that I'm using itunes, I'm finding a lot of stuff I want to buy, and the price point isn't that bad. It's a good thing I don't have any money to spend on it!

Graveside Remarks

2009-10-11T16:51:00.004-07:00

Yesterday, Haily and I held a graveside service for our stillborn son, Eric Collin Warren. I thought I would share the talk I gave.

Over the past two weeks, I have been overwhelmed by the love and support our friends and family have shown us. From the simple heartfelt act of letting us know how sorry they are for us, to those who have offered a shoulder to cry upon, to the Relief Society sisters in our home ward who watched McKenna and Adrian and provided meals, to the selfless acts of service from ones who offered without hesitation. I know that despite being so far away, we have felt your love and we thank you for sacrificing your time and warm homes to be with us this morning.

I told Haily the other day that, while I did not have the bonding experience with our son that she did through her pregnancy, my love for little Eric came full force once I say his little body. I instantly felt both an instant love and the deepest sorrow I've ever known in that one moment. I've since found comfort in the words of the scriptures and the prophets.

The Psalmist tells us the Lord knows us before our birth. "I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them." (Psalms 139:14-16)

In the Book of Mormon, the prophet Alma tells us "The soul shall be restored to the body, and the body to the soul; yea, and every limb and joint shall be restored to its body; yea, even a hair of the head shall not be lost; but all things shall be restored to their proper and perfect frame" (Alma 40:23)

And in the Doctrine and Covenants, our Savior said "For all old things shall pass away, and all things shall become new, even the heaven and the earth, and all the fulness thereof, both men and beasts, the fowls of the air, and the fishes of the sea; And not one hair, neither mote, shall be lost, for it is the workmanship of mine hand." (D&C 29:24-25).

President Joseph Fielding Smith gave it as his opinion that these little ones would receive a resurrection and belong to us. Brigham Young taught that a baby's movements are those of the spirit's entering the body, preparatory to the immortal existence. With modern technology, we know that a beating heart, which is movement, begins in the first month of live. If their opinions were correct, then the tiniest of babies would be eligible for the resurrection. (I found this beautiful thought on this blog, which discusses a mother's loss following the stillbirth of her child.)

Never before have the principles of the resurrection and the atonement mattered as much to me as they do now. I know that we will be reunited as a family again. Until that time, he rests here with his Great-Grandfather, and works with both Jay and his Great-Grandpa Bratton in the next life. We will know him and see him there.

A favorite song comes to mind, with some revisions.

"Well it's hard to say goodbye, and let go, and it's hard to see it end
When the few memories we have made, can never happen again.
But it's harder for time to ever erase the together time we shared
And though we're apart, we'll remember all the love we've shared together
And for all that love, we'll thank the Lord above who showed us the way
That we could be together, forever someday.
We can be together, forever someday.
We will be together, forever someday.

(Together, Forever, Michael McLean, alterations by Eric Warren)

Our Heavenly Father has promised that we will be together, forever. I know that we will embrace our son and he will welcome us in his arms. Until then, we will remember him in our hearts and continue to love him.

Trying to be strong

2009-09-29T09:37:00.002-07:00

I know and I realize I need to be next to my wife, supporting her every step of the way, and I am happy to do that. Unfortunately, I don't know where the line is to say "I love you and want to help you, but I need some time to myself." I feel selfish if I say something like that, and worry that I'm not giving my wife the help that she desperately needs. I suggested last night that I wanted to spend some "guy" time to just leave the house and do something for myself for a little bit. I'm sure this is just a part of my grieving process, but I can't help but feel guilty.

Rest in Peace - Eric Collin Warren

2009-09-26T20:28:00.004-07:00

As many of our friends and family know, Haily and I learned in May that we were to be parents again in January. Although Haily was determined that our new baby was to be a girl (and had several names picked out), we learned on August 10 that our she was going to be a he (and a new list was quickly put together).

Haily and I thought about several names, ranging from Alexander to McRea, but nothing seemed right to me. We eagerly anticipated his arrival. I started moving some furniture last month to prepare for him. Even this past Monday night we were looking at a discounted stroller/car seat combo that we found on sale at Costco.

Haily had an appointment set up on Thursday for a routine ultra-sound and exam. Both the tech and the doctor spent about 20 minutes, but were unable to find a heart beat. Haily called me at work at about 1:30, to tell me the bad news. We spent the rest of the day in shock as the weight of what happened settled on us.

My mom was already in Arizona, and Haily's mom drove from Las Vegas to be with us. Before leaving home for the surgery, we decided upon his name, Eric Collin from my name and from his Grandpa Bratton's middle name. We've been in touch with funeral homes and cemeteries and believe we have that aspect lined up. Haily went into surgery a little after 8 and Eric Collin was stillborn at 9:21 last night. He weighed one pound and measured in at 11 inches.

Adrian and McKenna are doing well. Adrian is young enough to realize Mommy is not at home, but has been happy having Grandma to play with. McKenna know's Mommy and Daddy are very sad, and that Mommy is at the hospital with the baby. We've told her that her new brother will be living with Heavenly Father and Jesus.

Haily is recovering in the hospital tonight. She has had some time with our baby. Haily's doctor and the nursing staff have been nothing but helpful through all of this, and have gone out of their way to help us with our grief. Although we are devastated by this turn of events, we are grateful to our friends and family who have sent us their thoughts, kinds words, and prayers.

Little Eric was too precious and pure for this world, and it is in our Heavenly Father's wisdom and mercy that we were selected to be his parents for this short time. We know that he is a part of our eternal family, and that we will be with him in the next life. We know that he will be resurrected at the second coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Our Heavenly Father has a plan for us to return to his presence and we will be together as a family in the eternities.

Sad news

2009-09-26T08:43:00.002-07:00

Most everyone already knows on Facebook, but I figured I would also update my blog. Haily and I have suffered a tragedy these past 48 hours. Both McKenna and Adrian are fine. We really want to thank everyone who has reached out to us with their kinds words, thoughts, prayers, and support. We know Heavenly Father gives us trials to overcome, and though this may be the most difficult one we've faced together, it helps to know there are others out there who have opened their hearts to us. Thank you.

Just a post.

2009-09-19T12:20:00.003-07:00

I'm feeling bad because I haven't posted anything lately to my blog for a while. Maybe I'll think of something interesting to write about this weekend.

Never Forget.

2009-09-10T21:00:00.005-07:00

I can't believe it has been twenty years since my scout jamboree trip. I got to relieve some of it last summer when my wife and I flew to Washington D.C., spending the day with an old friend as we walked up and down the National Mall and visited the Air and Space Museum, the Washington Monument, and the Lincoln Memorial.

The second day of our trip found us in New York City. We spent the morning riding the ferry to the Statue of Liberty. I started to climb up to the crown, but chickened out midway - good thing I did because I nearly missed the ferry back to Manhattan. We toured the United Nations building, rode the Subway to Shea for a Mets game, took our tour bus through Queens (where I could see the statuary from the 1964 World's Fair), back for a tour of Manhattan (Times Square, Broadway, Empire State building, St. Patrick's cathedral) before stopping for dinner at a very unprepared Burger King. After getting my order, I followed the other scouts across the street and sat in a plaza eating my hamburger (ketchup and mustard only, please), and pondered what we were about to do next.

The final tour of our day was to travel to the top of one of the World Trade Center Towers. I remember feeling nervous. I had certainly never been so high in a building and I was a little scared of how I would deal with the heights. The elevator ride seemed to be shorter than I thought it should be. As I stepped out and looked around the observation deck, I was amazed at the thousands of lights dotting the horizon (it was dusk). I leaned my head against the glass and looked down towards the dark ground, vertigo quickly forcing me to lean back. Before returning to the elevator, I looked around one more time and caught sight of our first adventure that day, the Statue of Liberty in the harbor.

Quiet Night.

2009-09-10T20:45:00.002-07:00

I'm all alone with my thoughts tonight. I was last night too.

Grandma and Grandpa B have been asking to spend some time with McKenna. After Haily's day care kids went home, she packed up McKenna and Adrian and flew up to Vegas for the night. Haily and Adrian came back this afternoon, but Haily had to rush right back out for her Enrichment activity. Adrian's been fed and put to bed and now it's just me, all alone, with no idea of what I should write about.

And one from me . . .

2009-09-08T20:46:00.004-07:00

Playing with Photoshop. Original picture and more can be found at Print a Penguin.

This one's for Uncle Adrian

2009-09-08T20:19:00.004-07:00

Colored by McKenna. If you like these, check out ToonBaboon's Print a Penguin blog!

Short Disneyland Trip

2009-09-07T17:39:00.005-07:00

I know a few of my relatives and in-laws get tired of how often we go to Disneyland. Actually, we haven't been since May, due to money issues and problems with my herniated disc. At almost the last moment, we decided to go, and I'm glad we went. Not only did we get a really good discount on a car rental, but we also had a wonderful time together as a family.

McKenna got three new experiences on this trip. On Saturday, before we left home, we measured her height - she was pretty darn close to 40 inches tall with her shoes on. Once we had an opportunity to check at the park, she came in right at 40 and she got to ride Big Thunder Mountain and Star Tours with me. And even though she has seen Fantasmic a few times on You Tube, there's nothing better than seeing it in person.

In all, we had a great time. We usually spend a lot of time together, rarely do Haily or I do anything without involving the kids, but it's sure a neat feeling to find yourself flying in an elephant, or sailing over Neverland with your child beside you.

One of our "must do" activities is to watch the "Billy Hill and the Hillbillies" show at the Golden Horseshoe Saloon. These four brothers, each named Billy Hill, put on a bluegrass show that touches almost every muscial genre from Elvis, to the Beatles, to Country and Disco (They call that style Crisco) and Country meets Rap (no name for that style yet). They always put on a good show, and I've yet to be disappointed.

Special thanks go out to Karen and Charles for hosting us for the night, and extra thanks also go out to Bryan and Jamie who helped us out with an issue after we got home.

Blowin' In The Wind

2009-09-04T20:15:00.006-07:00

Living in Arizona, we're constantly aware of any changes to the dry heat of the summer. One of the most dangerous changes comes with the monsoon, a seasonal weather pattern that brings moisture from the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific Ocean. The storms often appear unexpectedly, and bring a high amount of rain, preceeded by high winds and dust. Many of the local television stations broadcast a special about the dangers of the monsoon.

On Thursday night, we got caught up in one of the storms. We were driving after dark and fought the wind for a good distance. We could see the dust getting kicked up, and watched as heavy raindrops splattered on the car, muddying up the windshield with a thick paste. Our field of view diminished to the point where we could see only a few feet ahead of us. We pulled over, turned off our headlights, and turned on the hazards. A signpost that was only ten feet ahead of us disappeared in the gloom. We sat for several minutes, in silence, watching as cars slowly passed us, and others, following our example, pulled off the road. At one point, McKenna said she was scared and wanted to go home. In all, we waited for about fifteen minutes for the storm to pass us over.

As the wind slowed and visibility increased, we could see that the car was covered in dirt. I'm glad we had the sense of mind to pull over and let the storm pass over us.

Dr. Seuss invades the Warren home

2009-09-02T19:24:00.006-07:00

Watch as Haily reads a book,

Check out Kenna's hair - new look!

Eric ignoring the world again,

And Adrian with a cheesy grin!

It's September

2009-09-01T18:38:00.006-07:00

And I was just getting used to it being August. I only just realized that Labor Day is next week.

Growing up in Idaho, the first week of September was always exciting. It signaled the opening of the Eastern Idaho State Fair, probably the biggest thing to hit the area. For a few dollars, we could see arts, crafts, livestock, and a selection of the best food to choose from. Over the years, different things would appeal to us, but we always had to get a tiger ear and go on the carnival rides. There were even years which found different members of our family behind the booths, serving up the ubiquitous tiger ears, and I later manned the booth for the TV station I worked for.

Different music acts, mostly country, would perform, and it was at the fair that I went to my first concert. What I consider to be my first real date was at the fair. And I'll always remember the night I came across my two best friends before and after they attacked a certain ride. The after was definitely worse than the before.

The pictures used for today's blog came from http://www.idahofallstoday.com/2008/08/31/idaho-state-fair/

Egad - No post yesterday!

2009-08-29T07:59:00.002-07:00

I completely forgot to post a message to my blog yesterday. I set a goal for myself to post at least something every day. For those of you who may be reading my blog through Facebook, you may say, "Yeah, but he posted all of those crazy pictures yesterday." Technically, that's true, however, I didn't actually post anything to my blog at www.hpflyer.blogspot.com.

Now if this isn't a crazy way to drive traffic to my blog, I don't know what is. :)

15 Movies

2009-08-27T20:53:00.002-07:00

Rules: Don't take too long to think about it. Fifteen movies you've seen that will always stick with you. First fifteen you can recall in no more than fifteen minutes. Tag fifteen friends, including me because I'm interested in seeing what movies my friends choose. (To do this, go to your Notes tab on your profile page, paste rules in a new note, cast your fifteen picks, and tag people in the note -- upper right hand side.) I hope you participate, even if you didn't get tagged! No judging! Okay, fine, judge .

Star Wars: A New Hope
Dragonheart
The Last Starfighter
To Kill a Mockingbird
Beauty and the Beast
The Goonies
The Iron Giant
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
Raiders of the Lost Ark
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
The Fifth Element
My Big Fat Greek Wedding
Moulin Rouge
The Other Side of Heaven
Serenity

Project Vulcania - Revealed

2009-08-26T13:06:00.008-07:00

"...there is hope for the future. When the world is ready for a new and better life, all this will someday come to pass, in God's good time." Captain Nemo

I put the finishing touches on Project: Vulcania this afternoon and can now officially reveal it!

Based upon Disney's 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea, I give you Captain Nemo's Submarine - The Nautilus! The film, of course, is based upon Jules Verne's novel. My project's title, Vulcania, came from Nemo's secret island base.

The build took an estimated 10 hours spread across four days and involved seven printed sheets. To build the model I used scissors, an x-acto knife, Elmer's glue, a scoring tool and ruler. During the build I discovered that two sections were not glued correctly and ended up replacing them. One final error remains, but at this point I'm not going to worry too much about it. I also utilized a themed stand designed specifically for the Nautilus.

The template, instructions and stand all came from www.thedisneyexperience.com, which in addition to several other papercraft projects, also offers several free desktop backgrounds, user images, icons, fonts, and projects - all with a Disney theme.

I've built some other papercrafts from this site, but they, as well as most of my papercrafts, are at work. I'll try to remember to bring a camera to work and post pictures of those as well.

Threes of Me

2009-08-26T09:25:00.004-07:00

Rules:
You've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with the 3's of YOU. At the end, choose people to be tagged. You have to tag me. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you - but not in a creepy stalker kind of way.

(To do this, go to "notes" under tabs on your profile page, paste these instructions in the body of the note, type your 3's, tag 26 people (in the right hand corner of the app), then click publish.

Three names I go by:

1--Daddy
2--Eric
3--Junior (thanks Channel 3)

Three Jobs I have had in my life:

1--Hydrotubular Transportation Specialist (pipe mover)
2--Local TV news photographer
3--Lead agent for US Airways group department

Three Places I have lived:

1--Pingree, ID
2--Grant's Pass, OR
3--Chandler, AZ

Three Favorite drinks:

1--Chocolate Milk
2--Orange Julius
3--Black Cherry Kool-Aid

Three TV shows that I watch:

1--Lost
2--Hell's Kitchen
3--America's Got Talent

Three Places I Have Been:

1--New York
2--Moscow
3--Copenhagen

People that text/e-mail/facebook/tweet me regularly:

1--Haily
2--Adrian
3--My mom

Three of my favorite restaurants:

1--Chipotle
2--Cracker Barrel
3--Good 'N' Plenty

Three friends I think will respond:

1--Haily
2--Adrian
3--Amanda

Three things I'm looking forward to:

1--Next trip to Disneyland
2--Birth of our new son in January
3--Next papercraft project

Project: Vulcania - Nearing Completion

2009-08-26T06:49:00.003-07:00

After taking Monday off of model building to regroup and decide how I wanted to correct an error I made early in the build process, I nearly finished Project:Vulcania last night. I still have one step left to complete before I'm ready to finish it. It's been a lot of fun to work on, but in the meantime, I've promised McKenna I would make a special papercraft project just for her. Pictures of both will be forthcoming. I may also take my camera to work, where I have my other papercrafts, and get pictures of those as well for posting.

Everything but . . .actually, yeah.

2009-08-25T17:47:00.003-07:00

I wish I had a camera. On my drive home, traffic slowed down extremely quickly on a stretch of the road that normally doesn't have any traffic problems. It was enough to get out of the fast moving left hand lane into the suddenly much quicker right hand lane. I soon learned what the cause of this backup was - it seemed Jed and all his kin had packed up the homestead headed to Beverly. Apparently, a family was moving all of their possessions by pickup and makeshift trailer, with several items which appeared to be lashed on. I couldn't help but think that they had everything but the kitchen sink . . . until I was close enough to realize that, yes, the kitchen sink was lashed onto the back of the trailer as well. Again, I wish I had a camera.

Project: Vulcania - day 3

2009-08-23T06:53:00.003-07:00

Here's a few more pictures of Project: Vulcania. I'm not quite halfway through with this build, but it looks to be turning out to be one of the best I've done so far.

Secret Project

2009-08-22T10:28:00.003-07:00

. . . I've only just begun.

I started a new project.

2009-08-21T19:01:00.002-07:00

And I'm really excited to see this one take shape. Pictures to come!

Scientific Study of Me

2009-08-21T04:35:00.002-07:00

A friend of mine posted this on her blog and I figured I'd co-opt her idea. I really have nothing better to do for the next ten minutes.

************FOODOLOGY*****

********

1. What is your salad dressing of choice?
Ranch, except when I feel like Catalina.

2. What is your favorite sit-down restaurant?
Probably Cracker Barrel, but I don't get to eat out like that very often.

3. What food could you eat every day for two weeks and not get sick of?
Pizza

4. What are your pizza toppings of choice?
Pepperoni and Canadian Bacon with pineapple

5. What do you like to put on your toast?
Butter and raspberry jam.

***********TECHNOLOGY************

1. How many televisions are in your house?
Three, however, one does not work. Should I count my portable DVD player as one more?

2. What color cell phone do you have?
Black

3. How many computers are in your house?
2. One works. One takes up space.

4. Have any idea how many Megahertz your computer has?
Nope. There used to be a time when I cared about such things. Now I only worry about it not turning on.

**********BIOLOGY***************

1. Are you right-handed or left-handed?
Right.

2. Have you ever had anything removed from your body?
Teeth and a portion of my colon (that's a lovely story involving a near death experience).

3. What is the last heavy item you lifted?
My kids.

4. Have you ever been knocked unconscious?
No.

****************BULLCRAPOLOGY***************

1. If it were possible, would you want to know the day you were going to die?
I could see the benefit, but I would rather not.

2. If you could change your name, what would you change it to?
Rockerfeller, but only for the inheritance that would come with the name.

3. Would you drink an entire bottle of hot sauce for $1000?
No.

*************DUMBOLOGY*************

1. How many pairs of flip flops do you own?
One, but I haven't worn them for a couple of years.

2. Last time you had a run-in with the cops?
1999. I ran a red light.

3. Last person you talked to?
Haily

4. Last person you hugged?
Haily

***********FAVORITOLOGY***************

1. Season?
Spring. The days are nice and everything is green (I live in the desert, what do you expect?)

2. Holiday?
Christmas, followed closely by Halloween

3. Day of the week?
Saturday.

4. Month?
April. Spring and birthday, and 3rd favorite holiday, Easter.

***************CURRENTOLOGY****************

1. Missing someone?
I miss being close to my family, fortunately my brother lives a little less than an hour away.

2. Mood?
Generally calm

3. What are you listening to?
Haily sleeping.

4. Watching?
Nada. Just the computer screen

***************RANDOMOLOGY*************

1. First place you went this morning?
The ubiquitous water closet.

2. What's the last movie you saw?
Made of Honor

3. Do you smile often?
Every chance I get.

**********OTHEROLOGY************

1. Do you always answer your phone?
No.

2. It's four in the morning and you get a text message, who is it?
No one texts me that early in the morning.

3. If you could change your eye color what would it be?
Blue, it's very close to that already.

4. What flavor do you add to your drink at Sonic?
I prefer an Orange Creme Slush.

5. Do you own a digital camera?
Yes, when Haily lets me use it.

6. Have you ever had a pet fish?
Yep. Despite the loss of our platys, we've still got a plecostomus.

7. Favorite Christmas song?
Mary Did You Know.

8. What's on your wish list for your birthday?
HD TV, PS3, Home Theater sound system. I know I won't get them, but I can wish.

9. Can you do push ups?
Yes, but I don't do them as often as I should.

10. Can you do a chin up?
I doubt it.

11. Does the future make you more nervous or excited?
I try to keep an open mind about it.

12. Do you have any saved texts?
Only the last several I've received.

13. Ever been in a car wreck?
Yes.

14. Do you have an accent?
Midwestern American.

15. What is the last song to make you cry?
I don't remember.

16. Plans tonight?
Hopefully my Mom will make it here from Dominica.

17. Have you ever felt like you hit rock bottom?
There were a few days like that in college.

18. Name 3 things you bought yesterday?
Chicken strips, potato wedges, a soda.

19. Have you ever been given roses?
No. I've given them.

20. Current worry?
Politics.

21. Current hate right now?
People who excuse their own bad behavior and errors..

22. Met someone who changed your life?
Most definitely.

23. How will you bring in the New Year?
Probably by having fallen asleep at 10 on New Year's Eve.

24. What song represents you?
Moving Right Along.

25. Name three people who might complete this?
Surprise me.

26. Would you go back in time if you were given the chance?
As long as it is not to the destruction of Pompeii, why not?

27. Have you ever dated someone longer than a year?
No.

28. Does anyone love you?
Yes. My wife and kids show me every day.

29. Ever had someone sing to you?
My daughter.

30. When did you last cry?
Yesterday on my way to work. I missed my family.

31. Do you like to cuddle?
Yes

32. Have you held hands with anyone lately?
Haily, McKenna, and Adrian.

33. Are most of the friends in your life new or old?
Most of my friends are old.

34. Do you like pulpy orange juice?
No!

35. Where do you see yourself in 20 years?
Enjoying my family and life. Probably while on a visit to Disneyland.

Up and atom

2009-08-20T06:23:00.002-07:00

Another day ahead of me. Uh oh, I hear Adrian awake in his crib. Ever since we moved the computer out of the unused bedroom, it's harder for me to accidentally wake him up, as the two bedrooms are right next to each other. The master bedroom, where the computer is now, has a lot more space between us and the kids.

We weren't planning on having any daycare kids today, as their mom is off for the day, so I think we're going to hit the ground running this morning and start looking for some more kids that Haily can watch. She talked with one of her friends about what's been going on, and knows some of the ladies in our ward who are also doing daycare. One of the people she spoke with mentioned that there have been times she's only watched a child for a week or less, and indicated the mother may have just wanted to get the kids out of her hair for a little while. We're hoping some of the daycare moms in our ward might be able to send some kids our way if they're already full.

I think it's been good for Haily to have this experience, and I hope we can make this work. It hasn't stopped Haily from looking for work, but it would work out better for us if we can provide daycare.

Uh oh, I think McKenna heard me typing. I think she's hiding in the hallway just out of my sight.

So much for that . . .

2009-08-19T20:21:00.003-07:00

Just found out that the kids we've started having for daycare won't be with us. The mom had some difficulties between her schedule and having someone pick up her kids at school - the district doesn't bus within our community and we don't have a large enough outfit to carry our kids and hers.

Back to square one, but now we've had a taste of what to expect and have done the research to be ready for the next kids. Keep us in your prayers.

Moved it all around

2009-08-19T17:54:00.002-07:00

Well, we're making some changes around our home. Haily has begun a day care service. Unfortunately, any job offers that have come along wouldn't pay enough for us to put our kids in daycare ourselves, so we figured this might be a better option.

We've spruced up our little used front room and moved several toys out there. We took the computer out of the unused bedroom and moved it into the master bedroom, then moved a bookcase from the front room to the unused bedroom. I'm not sure how long that bedroom will remain unused, because McKenna will need her own room soon, while Adrian and the baby will be in the other.

We're currently watching three children every afternoon. They are all brothers and sisters. The youngest is three and he and Adrian have been tearing up and down the house. He's had fun with someone other than McKenna around. The other two children are in Kindergarten and first grade, and they will usually arrive around 3 in the afternoon. Their mom works until eight. McKenna's having fun with them as well, and is adjusting pretty well to having three other kids around. I have to wonder how my Mom dealt with all of this noise. Then again, we could be sent to the basement or outside for hours.

I have no idea

2009-08-16T07:45:00.003-07:00

I want to blog more. It's as simple as that. I want to improve my writing skills, and learn to make my writing interesting, and I know that blogging can help that. It doesn't matter to me that people may not care that I'm writing (okay, maybe I care a little bit). When I first began this blog, it was with the intention to provide assistance to flyers, ie. travel tips, best airport to fly into where there's a choice, etc. Then it suddenly veered into my impressions of comic books, then on to my family, and then, well, I just started writing about whatever I felt like writing about.

Don't get me wrong, I want to write, but I just am not sure what to write about. Do I write about my son waking up at 6:30 this morning? After my wife got him out of his crib, she brought him into our bedroom, where I was busy working on a Sunday School lesson. She set him on the bed, and he ended up laying on my pillow with a very relaxed look on his face.

Do I write about how excited my kids are to see me when I come home from work? Should I write about my family's trips to California, Utah, Idaho, Washington DC, etc? The possibilities are wide and varied, and maybe I just feel a little overwhelmed when I sit down to type. Regardless of what I decide to do, I think the important thing is just to write.

Getting ready

2009-08-12T06:33:00.002-07:00

My morning usually starts around 5:30. After a hop in the shower, I'm dressed and checking my email by 6. I try not to wake up the kids, but Adrian can hear me every so often. I try to check out my favorite websites for updates - I usually visit sites about upcoming movies and current events, as well as facebook and twitter. I also look to see if any of my brothers and sisters have updated their blogs as well. Then I'm out the door by 6:45 at the latest, on my way to work.

Project Playlist

2009-08-11T18:29:00.004-07:00

If you haven't already heard it or seen it everywhere else, over on the right hand side of my blog at http://hpflyer.blogspot.com/ is a playlist. The website, http://www.playlist.com accesses music files and lets you put together up to 2oo songs on a single playlist. I've already built five playlists and it's a good replacement for an mp3 player, at least as long as I'm nearby a computer. The site has agreements with record labels to provide the music. Check it out. You can post your personalized playlist to your blog or myspace page (still trying to figure out how to post it on facebook).

Short update.

2009-08-10T20:40:00.003-07:00

Had a fun Family Home Evening tonight with McKenna. She made sure we got out our scriptures and read for a little bit. She even "helped" Haily read every few verses.

It's amazing to watch her as she grows. She's developed her own little personality, and it's hard to believe that she'll be going to school next year.

Speaking of growing, little Adrian has been sprouting up himself. He's figured out a few words, like Mamma (boy does he have that one down!) Daddy, shoes, and book are his favorites.

We're also expecting a third child right around new year's. We just found out today that it's a boy. I think Haily may be a little disappointed, she was expecting a girl. But we'll love him just the same.

Past Jobs

2009-05-02T07:52:00.002-07:00

I got to thinking about my past jobs in years gone by, and thought I might write about what I liked and disliked about them.

1. Mowing my grandparent's lawn. When I was about 9 or 10 I started mowing the lawn for my grandparents who lived next door. It was fun because they had a riding lawnmower, but a BIG yard, and grandpa was a stickler for having it done right. The most difficult part was mowing around the apple trees at the northern end of the yard, although dealing with the lilac bushes and the well were also trouble spots.

2. Pipe moving. For two years my brothers and I moved water pipe for a local farmer. Dad would always brag about how he moved a line in about ten minutes, we were lucky if we got it done in a half hour. It was hard work, which had to be done twice a day - we were up extremely early, and worked in the late afternoon. Don't really know if there was anything I really enjoyed about it.

3. Potato Harvest. Hard to grow up where I did and not be involved in it. I was interested in all the machinery used from the field to the cellar. My dad used to be a farmer and we would often go with him the the main shop or out to the farms. Years later, potato harvest meant hard work, long days (pre-sun up to long after sundown), and dust and dirt everywhere.

4. McDonald's. About the only thing I enjoyed was that I worked with my best friend. The work was repetetive, my hours were cut down to about three a week (what was up with that), and management didn't care if anyone got hurt. The worst of it was the manager would give a pass to their favorite workers (who were often dating their family members). Welcome to the big time.

5. At call cafeteria crew. My first college job was so infrequent, it would hardly qualify. I worked as replacement staff if employees did not show up or called in sick. Most of the time I would help in the dishwashing area, but there were a couple of nights where I worked from 9 to midnight cleaning the kitchen, which was downright tiring. Thank goodness I only got called a handful of times.

6. Spring Planting. In order to raise some money for my mission, I spent two months working for a local farmer. Unlike my previous experience with farm work, I really enjoyed being outside. It wasn't the same thing everyday, one day, yeah, I had to move pipe, but another day I'd be out preparing irrigation equipment or any number of different things. Looking back, the only thing I disliked about it was that I missed out on TV, which wasn't so bad, all things considered.

7. After returning from my mission, during my second year of college, I was an administrative assistant for my choir instructor. Five hours a week, but I got to see a lot of behind the scenes work of a teacher, and partly inspired my desire to become a teacher myself. I also met a well known LDS author and often think back to that year being one of my best in college.

8. Kirby Salesman. The summer of 97 was spent in the pursuit of selling overpriced vaccum cleaners. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to have one, but sheesh, the things are expensive. I'm surprised I even managed to see any. I worked with a fun bunch of guys, and we spent a good deal of time working away from our base of operations in Pocatello - like Soda Springs and Logan. I was able to earn enough money to buy my first computer. Unfortunately, I also missed our summer party due to my other summer job

9. Demonstrator. You know, the folks at Walmart and Sam's Club who give out samples. What are you supposed to say to someone whose kid takes half of the product you prepared? Long, tedious, and boring. Then I learned that not only did the company set me up to do demos, I was also hired out to help grocery stores restock after they remodeled. I pulled a few all-nighters, and was not happy to learn that along with restocking, we were also to cut and wrap cheese and other deli items. I thought that was the responsiblity of the store's employees.

10. Suncoast Video. Great job for me, bad job for my wallet. What can I say, I'm a movie freak, and this provided a great opportunity to buy every Disney cartoon - not to mention close to a hundred and fifty video tapes. Then, when I least expected it, I fell deep into DVDs when they first came out. Good times working there, and I felt like a valued member of the staff - despite working on the day after Thanksgiving in a mall, and getting frozen out of my car. Eventually had to quit due to school obligations.

11. Hollywood Video. All right, no longer do I have to pay for the movies, just rent them for free! I worked in three separate stores, eventually getting up to shift supervisor. Lot of fun, but very little money. Prior to getting married, I worked at a Hollywood video in Las Vegas.

12. Matrixx/Convergys. Telemarketing. My first stab at it was in Provo. Part time, calling people during dinner to sell long distance phone service. It lasted three months. I went back to the company in 2001 and worked on a sattelite TV service, inbound calls this time.

13. Party Palace. Part time. Low pay. Lots of fun. I was primarily hired to work in the costume shop getting ready for Halloween, but ended up doing just about everything but arranging flowers. One of my favorite moments was being Santa Clause for a nursing home.

14. Television news photographer. Don't even ask how I fell into this one, I still have no idea. Worked for a local TV station for over a year and a half. Highlights included watching the Olympic torch as it was carried through Pocatello, and being left in charge of the Pocatello Bureau on Saturdays. Late nights though. Least fun was driving to schools for basketball games in the dead of winter, and live shots from Pocatello for the 10 o'clock news - had to drive from Pockey to Idaho Falls then back to Blackfoot.

15. Disney Store. I only worked there a month prior to getting married. Got a day's worth of Disney training, and spent a lot of my time in the stock room. Fun interview (What Disney character are you most like?) Hated having to leave that job when I moved to AZ.

16. Airline - I started out in Reservations, moved to Group Sales and am now in the Customer Relations department. I'll reserve comment (for now).

17. Animation company. I've been trying my hand at a number of responsibilities, and have enjoyed what I've done so far.

119 Questions

2009-03-14T09:53:00.003-07:00

ReplyAre you really ready for 119 questions?
Ready for anything !

Where's number 1?

2) Do you regret your last relationship?
No. I learned from it and while I wasn't in a relationship for a long time after, I am grateful to have learned and moved on.

3) Do you believe in God?
Yes.

4) Who did you last say "I love you" to?
McKenna

5) Do you regret it?
No.

6) Have you ever been depressed?
When I was still going to BYU, I lost all desire to do anything. School, work, etc.

8) Are you a boy or girl?
Boy

9) What is your relationship status?
Married

10) How do you want to die?
In my sleep, old and surrounded by family.

14) When was your last non-physical fight?
It seems I'm in a fight everyday at work - I'm in customer relations.

15) Do you have an attitude?
When I get my hackles raised, yeah.

16) Ever been in love?
Yes.

20) Do you hate anyone at the moment?
Idiots who think the world is their oyster.

21) Do you miss someone?
Yes. I miss my family in Idaho, Utah, and Florida.

22) Right or left handed?
Right

23) Do you tan a lot?
Not intentionally, but it's hard not to get a tan in Arizona when you wear shorts.

24) Have any pets?
A fish.

25) How exactly are you feeling?
I'm tired, from putting in mondo-overtime at work.

27) Ever made out in a bathroom?
No.

28) Would you take any of your exes back?
No.

29) Are you scared of spiders?
No.

31) Do you regret anything in your past?
Yeah, I think I was too rude towards my brothers and sisters.

32) What are your plans for this weekend?
Relax and go to church.

33) How many kids do you want?
We've got two, and I'd like more.

34) Ever kissed somebody that name starts with an D?
No, but my nephew calls my wife "Aunt Dee Dee" Does that count?

35) Do you type fast?
Yep

36) Do you have piercings and what are they?
No, though I've stepped on nails. Does that count?

39) Do you miss anyone from your past?
Yeah. I miss several of my roommates and missionary companions.

40) What are you craving right now?
Brownies

41) Ever been to a bonfire party?
Yeah. We had them during homecoming week in High School. When I was at Ricks we went out to the St. Anthony Sand Dunes a few times and had big bonfires as well.

43) Have you ever been on a monkey?
Yeahbuwhat?

44) Kissed someone in a lifted truck?
Nope.

45) Have you ever broken someone’s heart?
Mine has.

47) Have you made a boyfriend/girlfriend cry?
nope.

49) Would you live with someone without marrying them?
No.

50) What should you be doing?
Finishing up the X-Sheets for my other job.

52) Ever liked someone so much it hurt?
Yeah. It hurt worse when she to me she wasn't interested in me.

53) Is somebody in love with you?
Yes!

54) What is your favorite color?
I vary between green and blue

55) Have you ever changed clothes in a vehicle?
Yeah.

59) Have you ever shaved in the kitchen sink?
Nope.

63) Who was the last person you cried in front of?
Haily

64) Who’s the last person you hugged?
McKenna

65) Is it easier to forgive or forget?
What was the question again?

67) What was your childhood nickname?
I didn't have one. Bryan always chanted "Chickaboo" around me. At one of my jobs, I was nicknamed "Junior"

68) Are you a good person?
Yeah, until I get mad enough to throw tater tots.

69) What was your favorite thing about the past year?
Getting to visit Washington D.C.

70) Do you believe everything happens for a reason?
I think we need to find reason, and learn from what happens to us.

71) What is the last thing you did before you went to bed last night?
Watched TV.

73) What is bothering you?
McKenna talking back to her mother.

74) Have you ever been out of state?
Yeah. I was just out of state last weekend.

76) Are you listening to music right now?
Yeah, Haily's online playlist.

77) Do you like Chinese food?
As long as it's sweet and sour, teriyaki, or orange chicken.

79) Are you afraid of the dark?
Only after vivid nightmares.

80) Is cheating ever okay?
No

81) Are you mean?
No, but then again, there was the tater tot incident . . .

82) Can you keep white shoes clean?
I once got really anal about a pair of my tennis shoes . . .

84) Do you believe in true love?
Yes

88) Do you like the outside?
Yeah, except for Arizona summers when it's only a few degrees cooler than the surface of the sun.

89) Are you currently bored?
No.

90) Do you wanna get married?
Already am.

91) Do you like when a boy calls you babe or baby?
Can't say as I do.

92) Are you hungry?
A little, but I'm trying to control it.

94) Who makes you happy?
My family - here in Arizona and in Idaho

95) Would you change your name?
No. I toyed with calling myself Ric or using my middle name, but it didn't seem right.

99) What’s your zodiac sign?
Aries

100) Do you like Subway?
Yes.

101) Last person that made you smile?
Adrian, when he looked up from his toys and gave me a great big smile.

102) Your best friend of the opposite sex loves you, what do you do?
That's my wife you're talking about, buddy.

103) What song are you listening to?
Dancing Queen. Again, it's on Haily's playlist.

104) Whats your fave show?
Lost

105) Have you ever seen someone you knew & purposely avoided them?
Yeah.

106) Do you have a friend of the opposite sex who you can act your complete
self around?
Haily.

107) Who is the last guy you talked to?
Someone at work.

108) Does it matter if your boyfriend/girlfriend smokes?
Yes.

109) Do you smoke?
No.

110) What’s going on between you and your best friend?
Trying to raise kids and stay sane at the same time!

111) Who’s the last person you had a deep conversation with?
Haily

113) Do you enjoy piercings & tattoos?
No.

14) What do you wear more: jeans,sweats,or shorts?
Shorts.

115)You are a sharpie marker what color do you prefer to be?
Forest green

116) What are your conversations mostly about right now?
Travel

117) Do you prefer to shower at night or in the morning?
In the morning.

118) Have you ever said you’d never love again?
No

119) Do you want to make everyone happy?
My job is to make people happy.

Nostalgic

2009-02-07T08:10:00.002-07:00

I don't know why, but I've been feeling very nostalgic about high school the last couple of days. I've gone so far as to create a group page on Facebook for my high school class.

Despite the fact that high school was a living . . . well, to quote Joss Whedon, "my high school years were not all terrible. There was that one Thursday . . ." I think as teenagers we become so wrapped up in the world we create for ourselves that, naturally, we do think the world revolves around us. Because someone else might not fit our idealized world-view, we exclude them from our group. When something doesn't go according to plan, it's always someone else's fault.

Then again, I know quite a few adults who still have that perspective.

Despite all of the drama, overall, high school was a good experience. It's good to look back and see how far we've all come.

25 Things

2009-02-01T12:03:00.002-07:00

On Facebook, several of my friends have posted 25 things about themselves. I decided to follow their example, and have now posted mine.

1. If I could have one superpower, it would be to fly.
2. While I usually tell people my favorite movie is either Star Wars or Beauty and the Beast, it's really To Kill A Mockingbird.
3. I have every studio album by "Weird Al" Yankovic.
4. After learning auditions would be held in a nearby town, I tried to get a part as an extra in "Masters of the Universe." Unfortunately, they didn't need any, and decided to film in a different state.
5. I worked as a photographer for a year and a half for a local TV station.
6. I know that my best friend is always looking out for me.
7. For a sixth grade project, I made a short movie based on an Encyclopedia Brown story. I've wanted to be involved with film ever since.
8. I miss my family. It's been great having my brother and his wife nearby for these last few months.
9. My favorite thing to do at Disneyland is to sit near the hub and people watch.
10. I love to sing, but haven't done it on a consistent basis since high school.
11. I get too wrapped up emotionally in RPG video games.
12. I still can't believe I found someone who loves me as much as I love her, even after (almost) six years of marriage.
13. I graduated with a degree in education and hope to use it someday.
14. I enjoy playing Guitar Hero - that was the last game I thought I would like.
15. Nothing beats the smell of a field of spearmint after a summer rain.
16. I am impressed by the lives my brothers and sisters have led.
17. My 100 pound sister-in-law is the strongest person I know.
18. The last good book I read was "Night Watch" by Terry Pratchett.
19. I've never really been into sports, but will support my hometown team when they go to the Super Bowl (go Cards!)
20. My current favorite music artist is the late Israel Kamakawiwo'ole.
21. Joss Whedon is my master now.
22. After buying my first DVD player in 1998, I hid it from my family, worried they would give me a lecture about using my money wisely.
23. I miss the camaraderie of my Ricks and BYU singles wards and the ward activities we had.
24. I don't feel I should be as old as I am.
25. I almost died 4 years ago, and know that it was only through the power of prayer and faith that I am here today.

Organ Stop Pizza

2009-01-27T20:12:00.003-07:00

My Dad flew down on Friday to surprise my brother for his birthday. As part of the festivities we went to a pizza place called "Organ Stop Pizza" in Mesa. The owners purchased an old movie theater Wurlitzer Organ, and after a short run in Phoenix proper, built a pizza place around it. Along with the requisite pipes, the organ was hooked up to several different instruments, including drums, a piano, and an accordion. The organist played several songs, ranging from Red River Valley to the Indiana Jones theme to the Phantom of the Opera. McKenna was able to get right up close to some of the wooden pipes and felt the air blasting out of them.

We had a good time, and the pizza wasn't half bad. It's definitely an experience like none other.

A happy boy!

2009-01-27T20:01:00.004-07:00

Someone finally cut his most recent tooth!

Class

2009-01-20T17:43:00.002-07:00

I'll readily admit that I fall along conservative lines. While President Obama was not my choice, I am happy to celebrate his inauguration today and recognize the strides that have been made for this day to happen. As a citizen of the United States, President Obama has my support as president, and I'll reserve my right to criticize his policies when I feel it is necessary.

I hope I never descend into the immaturity of those who sang "Na na na na, hey hey hey, goodbye" and boo-ed as President Bush took the dias this morning. I hope I won't be someone who is unhappy that my choice was not elected. I hope I won't feel bitter.

We may have reached a new milestone today, but I fear we've still got a lot of growing up to do.

All Safe

2009-01-15T15:36:00.003-07:00

Just a quick note to everyone who knows I work for an airline. A US Airways jet collided with a flock of geese, losing both engines and had an emergency water landing in the Hudson River to the west of Manhattan. While we like to get away, and New York is on our "must visit" list, we were not traveling today and were not involved with that flight in any way. We're all safe and sound in Arizona.

My congrats to the crew for successfully making a truly difficult landing, and for ensuring the safety of all passengers on-board. Reports currently indicate no fatalities and all passengers made it safely off the aircraft.

Disneyland Dream

2009-01-10T14:14:00.004-07:00

This video was recently announced as an addition to the Library of Congress as part of the National Film Registry. It's a home video of a family who won a trip to visit Disneyland in 1956, shortly after the opening of the park. It's a great window to a world that I'm too young to have known. The video follows the family from submitting their entries to the contest, their TWA flight to California, and video of Knott's Berry Farm, Hollywood, Universal Studios, Catalina, and of course, Disneyland.

The Weekend's Here!

2009-01-09T16:39:00.003-07:00

Finally! It's the weekend! So what if I took a day off on Wednesday, it's finally the weekend! We really don't have much planned, but I'm probably going to putter around in the yard (I guess I'm getting to be a bit more like Grandpa Jones). Anyone aside from Mom and Jamie have big plans this weekend?

My Disneyland substitute

2009-01-08T19:59:00.002-07:00

Check out this video: Disneyland: Its Alright

Talk Time

2009-01-08T17:52:00.002-07:00

I met Haily and the kids in town today after work. While Haily and Adrian went to Fry's, McKenna and I went home and started taking down our outside Christmas lights. We have/had several strings along the rafters of the house, then down in the yard we had two strings on a couple of bushes and some more running through some river rock that winds through the front yard. We also had these three foot tall multi-colored candy canes along the driveway and the front walk. I got everything put up, except for the lights running along the roof.

I was starting to wrap up my job, when Haily pulled in and started getting Adrian out of her car. Just then, my phone rang. The caller ID came up as "Bishop." I figured I was probably going to be asked to come in for a calling. To my surprise, the Bishop mentions that he needs some help for Sacrament Meeting and asks if we could talk. I told him I needed to get permission first, and ask Haily if she would like to give a talk as a couple, before the Bishop interjects to say he only needs one of us to talk. Guess who got nominated?

So, I get to talk on "Blessings that come from heeding the prophet's voice." Time to crack open the last conference issue of the Ensign, eh?

Family

2009-01-07T09:43:00.002-07:00

It's been a fun couple of months. My brother and his wife recently moved to Arizona, and we've been able to spend time together. For the last few years, my wife and I have pretty much been cut off from spending much time with family, just due to the fact that we're so far away from everyone else. Sure, we get to visit, but if I get home more than twice a year, that's a lot. It's been good to have someone to hang out with and catch up with.

What the hey . . .

2008-12-14T10:18:00.002-07:00

So, I'm just perusing the internet, and have nothing better to do, why not update my blog, since I'm so good at updating it! (yeah, right).

I enjoy the Christmas season. The trees, decorations, lights, general feeling of goodwill everywhere except the mall and Walmart. It's been a very good year. It started with the birth of my son, who has just learned how to walk this last week. My sister-in-law Jamie recovered from her double lung transplant and now she and her husband, my brother, moved to the Phoenix area last month. I went through a huge change at work that forced me from a job I enjoyed to one I hated, but was able to find something better. I've visited Pittsburgh for the first time, and got to visit Washington D.C. for the second time in my life. On the down side, Haily lost her job in October and is still looking for something, but we're healthy, happy, and are doing fairly well despite the lost income.

I'm glad I've taken some time to really evaluate where I am, and what I have, and how lucky I am to have my family. I know I am truly blessed.

Is there anything better in the world?

2008-06-05T17:43:00.001-07:00

Sure, it's a couple of months old, but isn't he cute?

Ugh. . .

2008-06-04T17:14:00.002-07:00

As some of my reader might know, I've gone through some bad experiences over the past few months at work. It's been affecting my health, and I've been fortunate to use FMLA time to rest and recuperate. These past couple of weeks have been a bit of a wild ride for me. I found out three weeks ago that I was transferring to another department - great! I've been trying to move out from my current position all year. However, over the past month and a half, I've taken off some needed time for FMLA - not a problem, the doctor approved it and my administration office has been working with me on it. Several months ago, I scheduled last week and this week off as vacation time and did not plan on needing to reapply for FMLA time to rest. However, as I'm transferring from a union job to a non union job, it was pointed out to me that if I were to take the two weeks off as vacation, I would not be paid for it as vacation time is accrued monthly, not allotted in full at the beginning of the year (new policy that went into effect this year, of course). Fine, I cancelled my vacation, and reapplied for FMLA time. The next day, I was pulled into a manager's office and told that it looked "funny" that I applied for FMLA the same day I cancelled my vacation. Um, hello - what part of "I've got an ongoing medical situation and I had two weeks off" did they not get? Fine, I've been keeping my nose clean and working every day, up until yesterday. When I got into work today, I noticed that I've only been given three hours of FMLA time for the past week for each day I've needed to leave early - on days where I was gone more than three hours, I was listed as being sick for the remainder of the time I was gone. Okay . . . here's the deal. I've taken less time off these past two weeks than I have in the last month and a half - no one felt the need to mention to me that they were going to apply the strictest application of my allowance - I've had the same allowance for the past month and a half and no one seemed concerned about the amount of time I had taken off. Now, all of a sudden, when I've cancelled my vacation and I'm trying to live by their rules, do they change the rules on me. I can't wait to leave my present job. For the past five months, it's been nothing but soul damaging and heart breaking. I used to enjoy my job, and felt good about the work I did. I still work hard to do my job, but I'm afraid that someone has decided that it's better for the company to crush me before I can move on.

Ugh.

High School Muscial - The Reunion

2008-06-03T08:26:00.002-07:00

I recently got an invitation to my high school's 15th year reunion. I got to thinking about the cover story I could offer (if television and movies have taught me anything, I need to lie big about how my life has changed. TV can't steer me wrong, can it?).

Okay, the last time most people saw me was at our 5th year reunion - so where to start? Immediately after leaving the reunion, my car was hit by a multi-millionaire nuclear plant owner who took me in as his heir. Then I later joined the flying Elvi parachute corps. After rescuing bigfoot and the loch ness monster from some nasty legal troubles, I tried to convince George Lucas to kill off Jar Jar Binks in the most inhumane way possible. He didn't go for that, but he did like my idea of sending Howard the Duck to South America to find a lost crystal skull. I wonder whatever became of that idea . I then singlehandedly convinced the Disney board of directors to fire Michael Eisner and appoint me as supreme ruler of Disney World, but after a nasty tussle with Sea World, I had to turn in my crown. With that said, I now moonlight as the Burger King, but that's only a part time gig. What I really do now is dress up like a bat and scare the living daylights out of criminals, that cowardly and superstitious lot! At least I did, until Warner Brothers threatened to sue. I now live the mild mannered life of an airline representative caught up in the day to day struggle of prices and seat dimensions and getting Auntie Amelia from Boca Raton to Schenechdady on a non-stop flight.

Shaved Ice!

2008-05-05T13:53:00.002-07:00

With the onset of early summer in Phoenix, it's never too early to start thinking about how you're going to cool down. Christmas of 2006, my parents gave me a shaved ice machine, designed to fill 2 snow cones at once. I've since figured out how to manipulate it to fill up a bowl and then dish it out, complete with syrup, as needed. Both Walmart and Target sell shaved ice syrup, but I've found a local water and ice store that will mix up their own concoctions for you at 10 cents an ounce. My latest finds from them have been pink bubble gum, black cherry, and dreamsicle. Mckenna has certainly enjoyed them!

Myspace

2008-05-04T19:58:00.001-07:00

Ok, I'm an idiot. Here I encourage a visit to myspace, and forget to include the link! Click above to get there.

Learning to write again is killing me

2008-05-04T19:46:00.002-07:00

Not really, but remembering to blog often is a tough thing for me. It's not that I don't want to write, but I find that I can't spend the time. I'm going to try better. Also, if there's nothing recent here, be sure to check out my myspace page, where I blog about as often as I do here!

What's been going on lately - check out the myspace blog for my thoughts on Iron Man and this summer's movies.

Last night Haily and I took the kids to a local park where the city was showing Raiders of the Lost Ark. I figured it would be a good chance to dive into the Indiana Jones hype machine. I'm really looking forward to the new movie. Last night's showing really reminded me of the humor and roller coaster type fun that this series offers. Thinking about it, one of my favorite Disneyland rides is the Indiana Jones Adventure - the Tokyo Disneyland version of the same ride is called Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Crystal Skull...hmm, maybe it's time to book a flight to Japan!

This next week is going to be interesting. Tuesday, Bryan and Jamie will be flying back from Pittsburgh into Phoenix and might stay the night. Wednesday morning, I have an appointment with my Dr., and hopefully, I'll find out what's been causing my stomach cramps - hopefully, it's not diverticulosis again. On Saturday, we may fly up to Salt Lake to meet my cousin as he comes home from his mission, and on Sunday, I get to lead the music in Primary while all of the sisters enjoy Mothers Day in Relief Society.

Tired and feeling a little flat.

2008-03-28T16:43:00.002-07:00

Lately, my days have been long and the nights extremely short. After putting Mckenna to bed and settling down little Adrian for the night, it's about 10:30 and I can't fall asleep easily. It's been rough this week as my schedule has me up at 4:30 to be to work by 6 (I used to work this schedule, but I've been off of it for almost a month and I'm having a hard time readjusting). To complicate matters, Haily's current shift has her working until almost midnight. Last night Haily called around 11:45, concerned that one of the tires looked a little low. She said that there was air in the tire - the rims weren't in any immediate danger. She felt that she could drive home without a problem and I stayed up with her on the phone and talked with her as she made her way home. She didn't get home until close to 12:30 and we didn't get settled in until close to 1. Then, of course, my alarm goes off way too soon, and I'm back up and getting ready for work. When I went outside, I looked at the tire - it was almost completely flat! Somewhere, we ran across a screw that got stuck in the tire. I ended up late for work, but I knew we couldn't leave the tire on in that condition.

Haily was able to get the tire in to be fixed, and there isn't any damage - she said it wasn't that flat when she got home, so overnight it must have deflated. Hopefully, that's the most exciting thing that will happen this weekend, and I can look forward to a relaxing couple of days.

My family

2008-03-27T20:14:00.002-07:00

Thanks to everyone who's been in touch with us. We're doing well. Adrian is getting bigger everyday, and so is his big sister, Mckenna - it seems like she's been going through a growth spurt of her own lately. We're still in AZ, but we are looking for ways to move to Utah in the near future.

Recently, my department was closed, and I've been moved to a department that I worked in four years ago. It's been a difficult transition, but I know how to do the job and how to do it well. I've just begun a new project outside of work that may translate into better circumstances for my family, but I'll need to wait to get more information before I can discuss it.

Legend of Link

2008-03-27T19:47:00.002-07:00

One of my favorite series of games through the years has been "The Legend of Zelda." As kids, my brother borrowed the first two NES games from one of his friends. We were never able to get the hang of it, and life moved on. In college, I found a second hand Super Nintendo and Legend of Zelda, a Link to the Past and was hooked. Half the reason I bought a Nintendo 64 was to play Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask. I've played the Gameboy and Gameboy Color games and just recently finished The Legend of the Windwaker - there's still a couple more games out there that I need to get my hands on and I eagerly look forward to when I can try them out.

The storyline is pretty simple. The main character, Link, must collect certain mystical items and gain a sword to fight the evil Gannon and rescue the princess Zelda in most games. You can obtain certain items like bows and arrows, mirrored shields, flutes, music wands, etc. to move on in each quest. The games are not exactly sequels or prequels of each other (see the Angry Video Game Nerd's diatribe on the chronology of Zelda), but it's hard to find a Zelda game that not only improves upon it's predecessor, but also moves the genre forward. They're fun games, and I highly reccommend playing them. If the current 3/d realtime games aren't your cup of tea, I would suggest "A Link to the Past." It features a great storyline, fun mini-quests, and is just an experience that you need to check out.

More pix

2008-01-14T08:09:00.000-07:00

Here's a few more pictures of our family.

This is our most recent "family" picture, taken a month before Adrian was born.

Here's McKenna and Adrian with Grandma Warren
And with Grandma Bratton.
And McKenna trying to be a good big sister.

Adrian Wayne Pix

2008-01-03T19:52:00.000-07:00

Baby 2008, make way for Baby Warren

2008-01-03T12:54:00.000-07:00

Adrian Wayne Warren was born this morning at 6:35 am in Mesa, AZ. He weighs 6 lbs, 5 oz, and is 19 inches long. We hope to have pictures up within the next 24 hours.

Also, please click on the following link to Jamie Warren's blog. She has fought cystic fibrosis her entire life, and has recently recieved the gift of two transplanted lungs. www.jamiebug.blogspot.com

Summer Travel Tips

2007-05-24T17:23:00.000-07:00

Summer is just around the corner so here's a few insider tips to help get through the hue and cry of air travel!

Quite a bit of time has passed since the "no liquids" rule was changed last year. Please keep in mind that beverages are not allowed through security, so guzzle that starbucks or chug the coke before getting in line. You are allowed to take some liquids (toiletries, makeup, etc) through security if they meet the following criteria
1. 3 ounces or lighter
2. In a quart sized ziplock bag
3. Only 1 per passenger
You may fill the bag with as many items as will fit comfortably within it. At security, remove the bag from your carry on items, as it must be scanned separately from all other luggage.

Of course, it goes without saying that larger portions of the same items are allowed in checked luggage. For more information, please visit http://www.tsa.gov for more information about what can and cannot be carried or checked.

If you are sending the kids to go see Grandma and Grandpa and they're flying on their own, please verify your airlines unaccompanied minor policy. There are fees involved for children between 5 and 14, and you may be limited to only non-stop flights. I've heard of too many cases where a family thought they could circumvent the rules, buy a ticket from a website like Orbitz or Expedia, and get to the counter, only for the child to be denied boarding because there is a connection or a stop along the itinerary.

Have fun flying! Go visit the beach

Or see Mickey!
Whatever you do, have a good Summer, and hopefully, I'll post something else before it's over!

Daddy's Girl

2007-05-24T17:17:00.001-07:00

This is my daughter Mckenna. She's nearly 2 and a half and has Daddy wrapped around her little finger. This picture was taken at her cousin Malachi's first birthday party, and she wasted no time in finding the cupcakes!

Online all the time

2007-05-24T17:13:00.000-07:00

I recently upgraded to a high speed internet connection. I've set up a myspace account, downloaded tons of videos from youtube, and upgraded my windows software too many times to even think about. My favorites tab takes me from the Drudge Report to Aint it Cool News to KIDK tv 3 (I used to be a photographer). And yet, for all the speed I've gained, I still have a huge pile of laundry to sort and fold.

Hitting the links . . .

2007-02-24T09:42:00.000-07:00

I've added a few new links to the side. JDee and Jen are my brother and sister, and hopefully I'll increase the family members over as I get everyone's info. Miceage.com is a great website for Disneyland geeks. It has updates on the status of the park and upcoming changes and events, often breaking news about what's coming down the line. Jim Hill writes about the entire Disney company, and sometimes can take a bleak view of the prospects of upcoming films and ventures Disney is persuing. Laughing Place is comprised of a community of hundreds (if not thousands) of posters who discuss everything Disney. Airliners.net has great pics of aircraft (just check out the top photos) as well as a great discussion forum for the airline industry. Newsarama is updated daily with comic book news. Enjoy!

I'm just so white and nerdy

2007-02-24T09:01:00.000-07:00

Yeah, I guess I resemble Weird Al's latest anthem. I have argued as to whether Kirk or Picard is better (let's see, Royal Shakespearan actor verses the guy who hosted Rescue, 911). I want to ride a Segway. I haven't edited wikipedia, but I spend way too much time there. I used to collect cherry action figures. Etcetera, etcetera, etcetera. I'm like a chubby version of JD from Scrubs, a bit too into being a geek. I love movies, I still read comic books, yet I've managed to move out of my mom's basement and get married. I even kissed a girl before I was thirty (take that Shatner!). Yeah, I wish I could've been one of the cool kids, someone that everyone looked up to and wished they could be. But I wasn't. My sense of self worth has grown since them. I'm comfortable with who I am and what I choose for my entertainment. And decorate my home with. And get yelled at by my wife for buying. Ah, who cares! I'm just so white and nerdy.