The Sublime Roundabout

The marble statue stands alone, aloof, unaware She is lovely, perfection captured in a moment The artist's ideal of beauty But she has a heart of stone And her only warmth comes from that imparted by others She is a goddess, but she is hard and harsh No fire, no light, no love, No hope

Just read this: https://www.yahoo.com/travel/14-amazing-road-trips-around-the-world-119964307167.html It's a fluff article, but I was sucked in to reading it because I'd hoped that there would be something worth looking into. Turns out, the author/editor of that article has some very different ideas about road trips than I do. I've written about my wanderlust and love of road trips before. Just to reiterate, there's not much in life better than hitting the road for a nice long day of driving. I love it. In my next life, I'll be a long-haul truck driver. Just me and the road, baby. Yeah. The thing I disliked about the majority of the road trips in the linked article is their brevity. To me, a road trip is extensive and protracted. The point of the trip is the trip, not the sight-seeing along the way. If I can't see it from my car, I'm not as interested. And the idea of riding around an island, no matter how picturesque, seems frantic and unappealing. I do...

So, a couple of months ago I alluded to the fact that I'd bought a truck camper. First off, I should explain that we'd purchased a 1996 Chevy truck last August. I call it "The Green Bean". I've had to have quite a bit of work done, including exhaust work, front end work, headlights, rear brakes, and a new air conditioning compressor (ouch!). I think I'm into it about $3000. But here it is, with the camper on: The camper is a 1980 Rancho El Rae. It's a beast, as you'll see below from the exterior shots. There were a couple of things that I liked about it, though. Because it is big, there's plenty of room for everyone and everything. It has a full queen sized bed, a full sized dinette bed, and a bunk bed over the dinette. I like a truck camper because it's so versatile - you can take it basically anywhere and camp in a parking space. I like that it was made here in Utah (Rancho El Rae was a Nephi company before they went out of business,...

I am not yet the man I wish to be I feel great potential inside I am constantly reminded of my flaws and weakness But I do not let that limit me Because I believe that he only real limits Are the ones I place on myself I am not yet the man I wish to be But I am closer today than ever

This morning I read a couple of articles. The first linked here: http://www.brookings.edu/research/papers/2015/03/05-income-growth-decline-economic-prosperity-shapiro And the second is linked here: http://www.bbc.com/news/business-32824770 Mr. Shapiro's analysis (first article) focuses on income disparity and growth over the last 40 years or so, but divides things up according to age cohort. He notes that when viewed in this way, and not necessarily in aggregate, the income growth curve remains steady - as opposed to the relative drop that others noted. This is an interesting conclusion, and seems to go against the conventional wisdom, as reflected in the second article from the BBC. It's interesting, because if Mr. Shapiro is correct, the wage growth and disparity increases are a relatively short-term concern/phenomenon, and can be easily rectified. This appears to be more of a policy change than a fundamental issue with the economy. I think (personally) it's r...

Read this this morning: http://www.bbc.com/autos/story/20150515-where-is-my-solar-car Most people, when they think about a solar car, think of this: As they should. In this case, a solar car is a vehicle for one person, largely made out of balsa wood, sitting on three bicycle wheels, and really just a platform for holding solar cells. There are usually not any batteries, so this can only run while the sun is shining (rather brightly, I might add). The range of such a vehicle, while technically unlimited, is really only as far as you can drive whilst the sun is shining. And given a top speed of around 60 mph (that's the record speed - your actual speed may vary), and assuming that you could only drive for the brightest 4-6 hours per day, you're looking at three or four hundred miles. Of course, if the sun's not shining, you're not going anywhere. Batteries are available, which add weight, but also overcome the problem of range and bad weather. Safety is also a ...

This morning I saw this courtesy of the Beeb: http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-32792772 I wonder why this is a thing... Who cares about what shoes people wear? Shucks, some of the shoes I've seen are not attractive, even though they've got higher heels. I can imagine an attractive pair of ballet flats, or even flip-flops (gasp!) as a kind of statement. By demanding everyone (and it seems this only applies to women...) wear high heels... well. I just don't see the problem. They clearly don't require men to wear a tux, or even a necktie. I've seen people (maybe not at Cannes) wear jeans and a t-shirt (although they usually have on some kind of jacket over the shirt)... Why the gender discrepancy? So, what about it? Do women look dressier in heels? I would say that depends on the shoes and the rest of the attire. I would also say that it depends on the feet in said shoes - some look better/more attractive in strappy heels, while others look better in ...

So, I read this: http://www.mormoniconoclast.com/a-response-to-ralph-hancock/ He links to the original Ralph Hancock op-ed piece here: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865628473/Reason-dignity-and-the-Supreme-Court.html I'm not proposing to debate the point. I think it's really rather a silly thing to argue about, honestly. And here's why: A marriage is ultimately about a relationship between two people. And, if they're so inclined, their God. That's it. It is therefore an issue that deals with things that defy logic, as do all relationships. Sure, there's a logical component, but it's a complex, messy, and difficult thing sharing your life and love and passions with another. I recently had a discussion regarding the idea that marriage is under attack. It's sensationalism at its best - people like to feel like they're part of a Cause - particularly when viewed in terms of a militaristic campaign. It's symbolism we can all understand...

“Then she raised her head and looked him in the eyes again; and a colour came in her pale face. ‘How should I ease your care, my lord?’ she said. ‘And I do not desire the speech of living men.’ ‘Would you have my plain answer?’ he said. ‘I would.’ ‘Then, Éowyn of Rohan, I say to you that you are beautiful. In the valleys of our hills there are flowers fair and bright, and maidens fairer still; but neither flower nor lady have I seen till now in Gondor so lovely, and so sorrowful. It may be that only a few days are left ere darkness falls upon our world, and when it comes I hope to face it steadily; but it would ease my heart, if while the Sun yet shines, I could see you still. For you and I have both passed under the wings of the Shadow, and the same hand drew us back.” ... “Then Faramir came and sought her, and once more they stood on the walls together; and he said to her: ‘Éowyn, why do you tarry here, and do not go to the rejoicing in Cormallen beyond Cair Andros, where your...

Whilst taking my German classes in high school, Frau Zarndt (who was a lovely, if a little out there, teacher) who hailed from Switzerland taught us of some of the vagaries of life in Europe. One of the most incomprehensible things was that they didn't use ice in their drinks. At all. I didn't get it, but I didn't put much thought into it, really. When I was on my mission in Korea, people didn't put much ice in their drinks there, either. In Korea, they also don't fill the cup up to the brim. Rather, they leave it about 90% full, with a comfortable margin at the top for drinking without slopping it all over yourself. I think it's kind of polite, but I also feel like I'm being cheated out of the full cup of drink. At least in Korea they offer complimentary refills on soft drinks. Korea also doesn't believe in drinking just plain water much. They typically serve a barley tea which is yummy, but not necessarily refreshing. I once had a boiling hot...

I'm always impressed by people who have gained complete mastery of their bodies. The discipline involved, the talent, and the sheer guts of it all is at once amazing and very beautiful. I was sent the following link to someone who has done one of those obstacle course things on TV: I know, this is kind of a silly, frivolous thing. But it just highlights how athletes, artists, dancers, etc have gained such control and discipline and strength. It's truly a lovely thing. It almost makes me want to get off the couch... ;) (almost) I really think that this is not dissimilar to concert musicians, singers, and visual artists, who have mastered their bodies not to perform feats of strength, but to create beautiful works of art. Being somewhat of an artist myself, I can attest to the skill and mastery needed to guide a pencil where and how desired. To me, it's every bit as challenging and requires as much talent to perform. Add to that the education, experience, and training t...

I read about this this morning: I wonder how I'd do in such a situation. I don't think I'd be bothered that much right off... I've got a pretty active inner-life, and I think I could be alone with myself and no other input for a decent amount of time. When we visited the Weber County Jail a few months back, I thought about what it would be like to be in solitary. The most violent criminals in the jail were held in cells by themselves, with only one hour outside every two weeks and virtually no human interaction. These people can look forward to many, many years of such isolation. I don't think I could handle that. I think I would be OK for a short period of time, knowing that there was an end in sight. But having to contemplate decades of living in isolation, having only the barest minimum of human interaction... I need people. I think that's why I love my job so much. I work with people - sometimes it can be frustrating (yesterday was a little rough...

Sometimes all it takes To change the Universe Is one grain of sand Hitting another

The woman in this video is incredibly lovely. Ginger. Brainy. Geeky. British. Yep. Lovely. Except the black fingernails. That's a deal-breaker.

The real question is: Is Tom Bombadil older than Fangorn, or vice versa? It's really bugging me.

CHEERFUL 1 a :  full of good spirits :  merry b :  ungrudging 2 :  conducive to cheer :  likely to dispel gloom or worry I'm convinced that deciding to be cheerful is, while sometimes difficult, in fact a choice. I'm not Victor Frankl: my life has been very easy and free from major concern, relatively speaking. But I am inclined to agree with him that being happy or cheerful is a personal matter, almost regardless of circumstance. In fact, it is in the difficult times of our lives when we need to choose to be cheerful. Perhaps there is no greater need at those moments. But certainly when things are easy and peaceful, we should choose to be cheerful. And why not? Why not be cheerful? Isn't that better than being gloomy and oppressive? Anyway, I think it is. It is difficult, sometimes. It may sound easier or more intellectual to be critical of others and things. It can seem like the best alternative - after all, offering criticism at times can help oth...

I find that I enjoy the romantic scenes in movies less and less. They're too painful. We watched The Avengers last night. It was good - lots of good CGI and explosions and whatnot. The story was good, the sarcasm was clever, and the acting was awesome. Of interest was the blossoming love story between Bruce Banner and Natasha Romanoff. In one scene, she wants him to turn into the Incredible Hulk, but he refuses on the premise that he cannot control himself and might hurt her if he hulks it up. He says - I have reason enough not to lose control, right here. She looks at him with (that look) and says - I adore you. She then pushes him off the cliff, saying that she needs the other guy at the moment. It's (that look) that I crave. (That look) of adoration, of love and worship and respect and passion and... Well, you know. (that look). Sigh. I don't get (that look). I just don't. I have, in the past, and it makes me feel 10' tall and bulletproof. Not unlike ...

So, there I was in Sunday School yesterday, minding my own business when suddenly the conversation took a turn for the (worse?) (more interesting?) (controversial?)... We had been discussing the story in John where the woman who was taken in adultery "taken in the very act..." (incidentally, it has ALWAYS BOTHERED ME A LOT that they didn't drag the man in to be killed, too). (It also bothers me a lot that these creepy dudes were waiting outside for the deed to go down... Yuck). It was a nice discussion about not judging others and their motives... Then the teacher brought up the item about the Cake  and the Couple. Apparently there have been several bakeries around the country who have refused to bake cakes for gay couples, and these cake slinging Christians have been the subject of various lawsuits. It's a thing. But, should it be? First off, I think the whole thing is ridiculous. Private companies should have the market-driven opportunity to deny service to ...

Here's a sweet article about an artist's attempt to capture where love really exists. It's delightful, and worth a look: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/05/01/love-is-puuung_n_7188998.html This one is my favorite, I think: And I love you so...