The Sublime Roundabout

"You are protected, in short, by your ability to love!" said Dumbledore loudly. "The only protection that can possibly work against the lure of power like Voldemort's! In spite of all the temptation you have endured, all the suffering, you remain pure of heart, just as pure as you were at the age of eleven, when you stared into a mirror that reflected your heart's desire, and it showed you only the way to thwart Lord Voldemort, and not immortality or riches. Harry, have you any idea how few wizards could have seen what you saw in that mirror? Voldemort should have known then what he was dealing with, but he did not! But he knows it now. You have flitted into Lord Voldemort's mind without damage to yourself, but he cannot possess you with-out enduring mortal agony, as he discovered in the Ministry. I do not think he understands why, Harry, but then, he was in such a hurry to mutilate his own soul, he never paused to understand the incomparable power of a soul

My soul sails not On the sea, like a boat On turbulent waves so dark But on your love Which bears me up In placid, clear waters My heart flies not In the air, like a kite Buffeted and fickle with the breeze But on your love Which lifts me to Ever greater heights My feet stand not On ground of sand or stone Cold and hard and unfeeling But on your love Which is constant Strong and firm My eyes are lit not By the golden sun above Burning, distant, and oft o'ershadowed But by your love Which shines into the deepest part of me Warm and bright and pure 'twas ever thus, and thus it shall be For this is life, and gives life unto thee

Saw this this morning: Happy Thanksgiving, y'all.

We used to have Such glorious conversations You and I Sending forth glowing thoughts Out into the world Often flowing in great Glowing rivers That built bridges and arches Pushing back boundaries Stretching limits Growing understanding And there were violent eruptions Pushing ejecta out into space Great releases of ideas and thoughts and You Your innermost being Blazing through the skies Fiery and hot and glorious And not a little Terrifying Oh, we had great conversations You and I We used to have

"Atticus–” said Jem bleakly. He turned in the doorway. “What, son?” “How could they do it, how could they?” “I don’t know, but they did it. They’ve done it before and they did it tonight and they’ll do it again and when they do it — seems that only children weep."  To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee

Just for a smile... Happy Monday, y'all.

This morning, I read this: http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-trending-30105541 This is amusing on several levels, not the least of which is that it's just clever and witty. What I like about this, however, is that it shows the power of social media to help address issues of concern. These images from Russia are cleverly subtitled in a witty way that highlights both the problems extant in Russia as well as excesses seen in other western cultures. I've seen this kind of thing done before, but it's usually done just to be silly or to prove how witty one is. Here's an example from a buddy of mine: http://lanep.org/potw3/archive.cgi They're old, but they illustrate the point. Social media is powerful in many ways. It helps people keep in touch. It helps folks share information - pictures, stories, videos, etc. - in ways that were impossible even to consider as little as 10-15 years ago. But it also can help foment social change. Because of the "instant"

Sleep thou, and I will wind thee in my arms.... So doth the woodbine the sweet honeysuckle gently entwist; the female ivy so enrings the barky fingers of the elm. O, how I love thee! How I dote on thee! – Titania,  A Midsummer Night's Dream , Act 4, Scene 1

I sometimes find myself envying those who can be apathetic. Stoic. Without passions, desires, and feelings. That seem so anchored and solid and logical. I am not those things. I am subject to meteoric rises and falls, and sometimes I just want to get off this ride. Just maybe stand on terra firma and watch the kids on the Wicked ride. Alas! I am a man, and not a robot at all.

I really like my job. And I'm not just saying that because I have today off. :) We work four tens at the County, which means I have every Friday off. It's very nice. Working for the government is at once an incredibly humbling and gratifying thing. I am a servant of the public, so in a very real sense everyone is my boss. Everyone. I feel that when I watch people come in to my office or even just walk by at the Courthouse. I feel it when I deal with property owners who have hopes and dreams for their future. I feel it when I get my paycheck, because even though it is small, it is still a portion of what people have sacrificed for me and my skills, talents, and experience. And they have done this in the interest of keeping our County going strong and efficiently. It is a sacred trust, one that I do not take lightly. I also love the chance to help affect the positive direction of our County. Morgan is a very lovely place and I am honored to have the chance to help keep it t

With apologies to Ms. Austen... This morning I read this article: http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20141118-how-many-senses-do-you-have This is something that is very interesting to me. We (as human beings) like to reduce things to quantifiable experiences. It helps us provide order and clarity to an otherwise difficult-to-understand world. This is particularly true of human senses. The "five senses" include taste, touch, smell, sight, and hearing. The article points out that this is a very limited way of thinking. The article goes on to explain that each "sense" is linked to other senses. We are influenced in what we taste by what we see, for example. And there has long been an understood connection between what we smell and what we taste. So, while we don't taste everything we smell, we almost always smell everything we taste. There's also the connection between a past experience and the flavor or smell of a food. We can get transported back to an

Check this: http://www.bbc.com/autos/story/20141119-the-tev-project-a-true-electric-avenue I love this idea. I've had it rolling around my own head for several years, but I haven't had the horsepower this guy has. I think that this idea is a little far fetched - it would require too much in the way of infrastructure changes. What I can see as a little more feasible is an overhead electric cable system, similar to the ones used by trams in urban areas. A little unsightly, perhaps, but you can use stealth poles... And hey, at least you'd still be able to breathe. Plus, electric motors are quieter and faster, and you wouldn't have to change out all the roads in the world. And while we're dreaming, perhaps we could couple this technology with maglev systems to reduce drag and friction. Then we'd really be efficient... Someday... Someday... :)

I'm tired, y'all. I'm tired of being told that my emotions are a "handicap." They're not. I'm tired of being asked if I feel lonely and tragically misunderstood. I do feel that way at times, but not always. I'm tired of being asked if I will commit suicide. I won't. Ever. It's just not something I would do or even entertain. I'm tired of being asked if I am depressed. I'm not. My life is very good and fulfilling. I'm tired of being treated like there's something wrong with me. There isn't. I'm tired of being shackled to someone who cannot understand me. I'm tired of that same person being unwilling even to try. I'm tired of having my emotions discounted because I'm overreacting or overly emotional. But most of all, I'm tired of wanting to share these feelings and emotions, only to have them rebuffed. Even - especially (!) - when these emotions are glorious, spiritual inklings that fill

Here's a very interesting article on women and the Priesthood. It's from the BBC: http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-29513427 This is, of course, about the Anglican Church Priesthood, and not the LDS Church. The Anglican Church is definitely more progressive than the LDS Church, but then, with its history and adherents, perhaps it can afford to be. It's interesting to consider questions of "doctrine" and "culture". In the case of the Anglican Church, where they believe in a closed canon, the authority stems from the ability to trace a direct line of ordinations back to Peter (the Henry VIII thing can be best described as a minor correction that resulted in a schism). Authority also seems to stem from an interpretation of the scriptures that is at once closed (God has spoken, and His word is definitive and exhaustive) and inflexible. Or is it? Seeking to find solutions to modern problems through ancient texts can be difficult at best. Further, due

Once upon a time, there was a boy. This boy had a red, rubber bouncy ball. You know the kind - cheap, rubber things. But it was his own, and he treasured it. Everywhere he went, the boy would bounce the ball off things. There was no greater joy for this lad than to see the ball leave his fingers, to hear it bounce off whatever surface he'd aimed at, and then come bounding joyfully back. He learned to control the way the ball bounced, even putting a spin on the ball to change things up a bit. The texture of the ball added to this control, making the joy of bouncing it that much more fun. Other people had different colors, and they were fun, too. But this boy enjoyed his ball. He always harbored one secret desire - to find someone to whom he could bounce his ball. He wanted to share the sheer joy of feeling this ball in his fingers. But every one he tried to bounce the ball to grew either annoyed or would humor him for a while and then get bored. Some people even took the

This weekend I drove some friends to Bryce Canyon and Zion national park. It was incredibly lovely. One of my favorite things about living in Utah is taking folks to see the natural beauty that exists in such abundance here. It's delightful to hear their gasps and exclamations of awe and wonder. I read in the news this morning that ISIL or ISIS executed another American. This may seem a bit of an abrupt topic change, but bear with me. The true strength of our country lies not in our military might, but in our ability to use our political will to lead others in amazing ways. The national parks idea is one of those ways - Yellowstone being the first land in the world set aside for preservation and perpetual enjoyment. We care very much about such things, and have an extensive and expensive series of such parks across our country. It's awesome and inspiring. So when I hear about this execution by folks who for whatever reason have a grievance with America, it makes me feel

I dreamed of you last night Your face, just as I remember Like the sun Beautiful and radiant and glorious And terrible It shattered my soul And scattered the pieces Across the universe You looked on me You must have felt my gaze My heart exploded with joy And the fragments melted down Into my shoes, somewhere You smiled A sad smile Full of pity and sorrow But still a smile And then you spoke Your voice Like the voices of ten thousand angels Sweet and clear and lovely As the very heraldic trumpets of creation That made the stars tremble And the heavens shake I wanted to kneel before you And worship you And you stretched forth Your glorious hand Marvelous and perfect Like the lost arms of Venus And took the hand of another And I durst not even despair

Just read this: http://nymag.com/scienceofus/2014/05/dads-who-do-dishes-raise-ambitious-daughters.html?mid=yahooparenting I love the last line - "Even feminist fathers who fail to lift a finger around the house might be unconsciously telling their daughters that housework equals women's work, this study suggests. So, dads: Do the damn dishes already." I love doing dishes, btw. And the laundry and vacuuming. I even enjoy cleaning bathrooms. So there.

The cold November wind Blew incessantly last night People huddled in their beds As the windows rattled in the cold I woke in the dark Shivering As my feet hit the cold floor And I wandered into the bathroom Even the hot warm shower Scarcely cut the chill And dressing warm for the day Only seemed to emphasize the cold Yet there is something bright and warm That no dark or chill can touch And that is the sweet memory Of your face And I long to see it again Like the earth misses the sunshine On a dark and cold November day Somehow... Somewhere... Someday... http://io9.com/a-map-showing-when-its-likely-to-be-coldest-where-you-l-1655963791

I just ironed my dress white jumper. My daughter is wearing it for the Veterans Day concert later. It made me think of all the times I've worn it and my Dixie cup... Life is interesting. Of all the people you know who are unlikely to have served in the military, I would probably be fairly high on the list. I joined when I was 17, about the age that my son is now. My parents had to sign a waiver, and I left two weeks after I graduated. My mother was so sad she couldn't go to the airport. I didn't realize how much I had affected her until I had my own kids. She wasn't mad or disappointed. Quite the contrary. But having her son leave was a hard thing. I am proud of my service. After a few months in San Diego and then in Port Hueneme, I served in Salt Lake at the reserve center and later in Michigan after my mission. I had many wonderful experiences and met some very interesting people, experiences and people I'd never have known were it not for my time. And, of c

I just had a look at this: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/propertypicturegalleries/9478023/The-worlds-10-worst-cities-to-live-in.html?frame=2311093 This kind of thing is fascinating to me. Who gets to decide? What measures did they use to determine the various qualities? Did they even ask people who live there? Here's a telling comment from the article: how the hell did 9. Tehran, Iran (45.8) appear here.. this city is beautiful, and their standard of life is much better than most countries... they are strict in some cases but overall, its a great place to live. Good people, good food and great architecture, not to mention beautiful views of mountains. Seems the USA must have had some influence on this one... they're trying to turn everyone against Iran, the nation who is doing better than they are... god forbid!! Good points, really. And how did they come up with the 45.8... Really? They figured it down to the tenth of a point? Like that gives some sort of credibi

“Just because you have the emotional range of a teaspoon doesn't mean we all have.”  ― Hermione Granger, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix We were given an assignment in Sunday school earlier today to keep a journal of emotions. Men, it was reasoned, need to learn to feel and express their emotions better. Awareness of what one is feeling and finding ways to appropriately express one's emotions is a good thing. This has never been a problem for me. My issue often seems to be that I have a surfeit of emotions and that sharing them wears out those who are close enough to share. People I know are put off by the intimacy. I haven't yet found anyone who was willing to just listen, one who will be patient and abide. Everyone I've come across either cannot share or don't really want to, or they are too caught up with their own concerns to be overly concerned with mine, and they go away. I think that's a large part of why I write this blog. It acts as my

If there is one thing Voldemort cannot understand, it is love. He didn't realize that love as powerful as your mother's for you leaves its own mark. Not a scar, no visible sign... to have been loved so deeply, even though the person who loved us is gone, will give us some protection forever. It is in your very skin. - Albus Dumbledore

It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live. - Albus Dumbledore

When I was in architecture school, one of my classes focused on the real or perceived difference between a "space" and a "place". In this context, "space" was used to connote somewhere you could be. Generic and without meaning or significance. Contrasting that, "places" are spaces which have taken on meaning - either through collective experience or just personal history. A "place" for one may not have the same meaning for another. There are a few universally accepted "places" in the world. What makes a "space" into a "place" is important, if often intangible and ethereal.  This morning I sat in the Salt Lake Temple pondering this phenomenon. I love the Salt Lake Temple. It has been the focus of my faith for many generations, and you can almost feel the 120+ years of patrons' experiences in the building. It is sacred because it has been dedicated as a house of worship, but it is also sacred because t

One of the best parts of my day (maybe THE best part) is that Elise can come by the Courthouse on the way home from school and hang out. And she does. She brightens my day, and I like that she likes to hang out. :) It's the little things, y'all.

This morning I came across this website: http://www.portraitsalon.co.uk/ It features several years' worth of images of people. Portraits, mainly. But not of the great and the good, but of the salt and the savor. And maybe these are the great and the good, after all. I love this kind of thing. I love people. I love that people are real - even fake people (?). We are all part of the rich tapestry of humanity, and we all add to the incredible beauty that is our world. Each of us. Take a minute to be inspired by these images of our fellow travelers. My morning has been blessed by doing so.

Sometimes you just need to smile. Unless you're Mitch McConnell. Then...

This is what we're wearing to walk to work these days: I love this scarf - warm, colorful, and delightfully wide (covers my whole neck at once). A dear friend made it for me several years ago, and it's still keeping me warm! :) Happy winter, y'all! Stay bright and warm!

I was reminded recently how much I love this music. The precision and craft are simply breathtaking. This is no music for the masses - this is a composition of absolute precision. It is to music what a BMW is to cars. What lasers are to light waves. What Swiss watches are to timekeeping. What enjoyment! What sheer joy! Ah, it's awesome!

It is easier to criticize than construct. It is easier to belittle and berate than benefit. It is easier to tear down than to build up. It is easier to mock than to make. It is easier to find fault than to find praise. It is easier to hate than to love. But, really... Is it?

Full points if you know what the number refers to. :) Extra points if you can guess the cultural reference behind the title. Today is election day. Every two years in our beloved country, every (!) member of the House of Representatives and 1/3 of the Senate is up for reelection - or just plain old election, if they're not an incumbent. It's our chance to change things in our country, and if we don't like the way it's going, we can vote the bums out. It's imperfect. It is too expensive. And it is often more a popularity contest than a substantive vote on issues of concern. Besides which, any one Representative may not have a huge amount of strength in the Field of 435. Regardless, it's our chance to participate in democracy and the democratic process. We live in the greatest country on earth, with the oldest continuous constitutional democracy. And yet, we live in a dynamic time, one where our representatives - the ones we ostensibly pick - are not general

Today in church a brother played "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing" on the piano. It was a halting, imperfect rendition, full of stops and starts and discordance. And I wept like a child. Something about it touches my heart every time. Today, the line that grabbed me is the one that goes - Here I raise my Ebenezer Hither by thy help I come And I hope by thy good pleasure Safely to arrive at home Ebenezer is translated into English to mean "stone of help" and has reference to Samuel raising a stone in the midst of Israel to help remember what good the Lord had done to them, what great good He had done for them. Truly, mercy is not getting what one deserves, and grace is getting what one does not deserve. I have been blessed beyond measure and I hope I am always worthy.

the worst part is that you read these lines and don't even realize that they aren't about you at all