Coming Out...

I still laugh uncontrollably when watching the "Defenders of Marriage" video I referenced a week or so back - here

Actually I think it gets funnier every time I watch it.

I've been debating for a while now, whether or not I should put it out on Facebook though. You see the last time I put something controversial out on Facebook, it garnered a rather interesting response, and subsequently prompted a sibling of mine to take the road of tattling to dear old Mom and Dad, that I was being a bad Mormon. I ask you... Is life just a glorified version of Elementary School?!?

Anyway, I've picked up a bunch more friends since that last post, so I figured it was time to come out again. Most of my friends are the very religious conservative types, so this will likely come as a shock to those who have known me in the past - especially, since I used to be one of the worst conservative religious type people you could meet, but sometimes people need a bit of a shock!

On the plus side though, it tends to bring out people who share similar beliefs, but are too afraid to say anything, for fear of retribution. Something very therapeutic about knowing that others share your beliefs, especially when you're surrounded by a culture that would readily cast you out for thinking such things.

Have no fear, I'll be sure and post of the more humorous responses here!

(And subsequently dropping from the friend list all who choose to call me to repentance.)

The Vampire and the Big Bang Theory

So in my last post, I posed the question as to whether my consideration of adding young Ashley Greene to the Hot Babe Trifecta would make me a Dirty Old Man.

First of all, thank you to those who commented on this, both online and in person...

The results are in...

In favor of Ashley's induction in to the Trifecta we have 3 votes

For those who will now likely consider me a Dirty Old Man, we have 1 vote

Sorry Morgan, it would appear that the 'Ayes' have it.

I decide to do a little more switching around as well... and the new Trifecta is now posted on the right hand side, with links to their IMBD pages.

Dropping off the Trifecta we have:

Alyssa Milano, who I think I've had a crush on since I was about 13, and who will more than likely find her way back on in time to come - perhaps she just needs to be in more movies!

and

Jennifer Love Hewitt, who I still think is absolutely stunning, but I'm not sure if she's my type - kind of hard to explain this one.

Featuring now on the Trifecta, and in no particular order of preference.

Ashley Greene, who is 10 years younger than me, but over the age of consent. She played Alice Cullen in the Twilight movie. In some ways she reminds me of a younger Marisa Tomei.

Kaley Cuoco, who currently stars as Penny in the greatest sitcom ever made - The Big Bang Theory. She's a little older than Ashley, and as such is only 9 years younger than me - and Morgan, if it helps, she's a HUGE Animal lover - meaning she loves animals, not that she's like an Animal in Bed, not that I don't think she would be... Perhaps I should stop.

And finally, Rachel McAdams - Not sure exactly how old she is, I guess I could look, but that would require effort! But I think she's closer to my own age. Rachel starred in The Wedding Crashers, and The Notebook.

Changing things up a little

So I've made some changes to the right hand side of the blog... Added some blogs which I've enjoyed reading, and removing others that while I felt obligated to read, I had kinda lost interest in...

I also considered updating the Hot Babe Trifecta...

In contention was one Ashley Greene, who played Alice Cullen in the first movie in the popular Twighlight series. Her IMDB page is here.

My only reservation with young Miss Greene, is that it would appear that she is just over 10 years younger than me. She's above the legal age of conscent, not that it really matters, but 10 years is quite a big gap... The question is, does liking her make me a dirty old man, or would it be considered socially acceptable?

Can a Mormon Tri?

Over the weekend I did a small triathlon hosted by my tri club and I stayed behind afterwards to cleanup and what not. Last night I hooked up with a couple of buddies from my Tri Club and we went out and did bike intervals by the airport.

In both instances I realized that there was a good chance I was the only member of the LDS Church in the group - at least as far as I could tell - and I think you could probably questions the extent of my membership...

Anyway, it got me wondering as to why this may be...

I have a couple of possible theories, but if anyone else wants to weigh in...

1 - Training for a triathlon takes a lot of time, and members of the LDS Church don't have that much time, between working extra jobs to pay the bills and filling callings within the Church.

2 - When triathlons started, there was full nudity in the transition area's. I know I look at some people and question why this was ever abolished, and they probably look at me and are extremely grateful. Could it be a modesty issue?

3 - Coffee and triathlon training seem to be closely entwined as well - Do members of the LDS Church just not feel comfortable amongst coffee drinkers? And those who enjoy a beer after a race?

4 - Most triathletes I've met lean left politically, and it's one of the unwritten laws of the Church that you have to vote Republican...

Just some thoughts I've had...

ROTF LMAO!!

So there has been some debate on one of the blogs I read about the question of Gay Members of the LDS Church and in particular, a decision by young man on the homosexual persuasion, who is trying to change some of the hate and misinformation which has so totally enveloped the LDS Church. It's been interesting to watch both sides. In many ways, I almost feel bad for those who support the status quo within the LDS Church. After years of being taught that to consider any matter intellectually is a sin, they actually believe it is.

Anyway, but I'm trying to make this blog more upbeat, so while keeping in line with the topic as hand, I found this absolute gem on the blog of one of those on the same side of the issue as I. I shall be adding him to the blog roll once I get this published.

Pedestals - I don't want to be on one

I wrote a posting this morning on another blog of mine. Before I redirect you to that one, let me first post a warning.

WARNING: I started my other blog as a place where I could whine about politics and religion, and not offend any of my regular readers on this blog. It's been locked down for a couple of months because someone got offended, but then I realized that you can't please all of the people all of the time, so it's back open again. BUT with that said. If you are an active and faithful member of the LDS Church, it would probably be best for all of us, if you didn't visit it. I'm not one of those anti-mormon folks, and I do still attend services fairly regularly, but things about the organization get my goat sometimes, and you probably don't want to read what I have to say. So you have been warned, you can do with that what you wish. I also believe strongly in free agency, and trust that you can make this decision on your own. I just don't want to hear any bitching if you decide to visit and don't like what you see.

OK, with that out the way...

It's a serious post about pedestals, and how sometimes we place ourselves and others on them. And it generally isn't a good thing.

It's here

I don't want to be one of those parents who puts themselves up on a pedestal to their kids. I don't really want my kids thinking I'm perfect, and I think I may have achieved that, at least with my older couple.

For instance, some words are Dad words, and much hilarity is to be had when Dad says, hell, damn, bugger, bitch and bastard (amongst others).

If you still have any respect for me, you should also know that tonight, I will be shaving my legs. Yes, I'm a guy! And I have my reasons!!

I'm not saying I don't want to be an example to my kids... I most absolutely do, but I don't want to be viewed as a perfect and somehow a supreme being, only to have them realize later in life that I'm just some self-righteous hypocrite.

Why

We had some good friends over for dinner last night. We all used to live together in the same neighborhood, and it was a great place, but as families grew, we've all found larger homes in other places. Unfortunately we all yearn for the simpler, more neighborly time of just a few years ago.

We got together because one of our number is currently enlisted in the Armed Forces of the United States of America. He's been stationed overseas, away from his family for 9 months, and he's currently on a 30 day pass to see his family. And we wanted to see him too!

He is one of the most honorable and loyal men I know. If you want to meet a man who gets what 'Family' means, this is your man.

Most of the group lean towards to conservative side of the political aisle, especially my Military friend. He is one of those who is convinced that Mr. Obama is leading us down a dangerous path and will destroy the US in 2 years. Generally I try to avoid politics when I'm around people with differing views. Not that I'm ashamed of my views, or a coward, but politics, like religion invokes some pretty strong and deep feelings, and it's not something that you can have a calm and rational discussion though, unless both parties approach the matter with completely open minds.

In addition to that, this man is putting his life on the line for what he believes in. I may not agree, but I really respect that, because I sure as heck am not doing that.

Somehow it was introduced to the conversation that I voted for Obama. Gotta love friends with devious senses of humor.

"Why" was the big thing that was asked.

I kept my answer as simple and non-confrontational as possible, stating simply, that I just couldn't bring myself to vote for McCain (Which he actually agreed with), and that in a Republican State like Utah, my vote didn't matter much anyway - But Dammit if I didn't try!!

Many have called Mr Obama a socialist, which he may well be, but in an election where we only really had two choices, I saw those choices as this...

1 - Mr. Obama with Socialist type policies which would seek to take from the few and give to the many.

2 - Mr. McCain with Fascist type policies which would seek to take from the many and give to the few.

Neither is really a good way of doing things, but I went with the first. That, and I think Mr. Obama was pretty open with what his plans where, whereas Mr. McCains entire platform seemed to be based on "I'm not that guy."

This is a difficult post to write, because it has a beginning and an end, but I'm not really sure how to link them, because the end kind of started before the beginning, but it provides a good conclusion to the beginning. Perhaps I shall just use this paragraph as an interlude to the end.

I've been reading excerpts from a book called War is a Racket on the blog of a good friend and reader of this blog. It deals with something that I have suspected for several years now, but presents it with far more clarity and authority that I could ever hope to muster.

Rather than do the work an injustice by trying to describe it or paraphrase it, I would simple recommend that you read it.

You can read a little about the author here.

And the excepts from the book are here.

At the time of the election, I recall saying that I thought there was a far better way to honor our military men and women than sending them overseas to be killed and maimed in the deserts of the Middle East. I believe that now more than ever.

I am sooo going to hell...

As many of you know, I teach a Sunday School class on occasion. I have theological differences with the Church I attend, but there are area's where what I believe and what I am supposed to teach intersect, and so these area are where I focus my lesson.

I personally feel it would be dishonest of me to teach something contrary to what the organization would have me teach, but also dishonest to myself to teach something contrary to what I believe.

Sometimes it's easy, sometimes it's tricky. Today was a tricky one. In cases like these I try and teach as factually as I can, leaving personal statements of belief out of it.

The topic was tithing and there was a serious disconnect in the lesson between how this particular principle came into being in organization with which we were attending, and the actual principle itself.

Actual principle is that there are spiritual benefits to giving, and that God doesn't require it of us for his benefit, but for ours. I personally think that there are benefits to charitable giving. The benefit of thinking of someone other than yourself, helping another share in whatever success you have had, and above all know that it's not all about the money.

The organization I attend, instituted it (well it was always there, but no-one did it, so they started emphasizing it very strongly) because they were on the verge of bankruptcy.

The worst thing is, that as I'm teaching this, a George Carlin piece kept flashing through my mind.

I found a short, clean version of the idea on the Atheism page on About.com

Religion convinced the world that there's an invisible man in the sky who watches everything you do. And there's 10 things he doesn't want you to do or else you'll to to a burning place with a lake of fire until the end of eternity. But he loves you! ...And he needs money! He's all powerful, but he can't handle money!
[George Carlin, from album "You Are All Diseased"]

For those who can handle it... There is an excellent clip of it on YouTube, complete with facial expressions, expletives and more a elaboration explanation.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeSSwKffj9o

You could be legendary...

I'm up to 199 friends on FaceBook. I have at least one more request that hasn't been answered yet, so there is still the opportunity for you to become friend #200.

If we're not yet friends, and you would like the honor of being #200... Send me an email so we can work it out!

Be_Legendary_Friend_200@urbankoda.com

And just so you know, un-friending and then re-friending won't work I'm afraid.

From the heart

Those who know me, may well know why this song is particularly meaningful. A co-worker referred me to it.

Occasionally you'll read something on a blog, or hear something in a song, and it just seems to strike a chord with you. I would suspect that the person who wrote this song may well be speaking from personal experience. Speaking from your heart just seems to allow the listener to connect on a more intimate level, but that still doesn't mean it's easy to do.