Facebook's Got Me!

So I used to wonder about social networking , and what the big deal is. Bob introduced me to a game on Facebook called Farmtown and like many gateway drugs (actually, I would equate FT with heroin) it lured me into the dark side and I can't get out. I find myself getting up early to work my farm, plan my harvest cycles around family events, hiring farm hands out Europe, loosing hours a day, etc. It has also got me hanging out on FB (Facebook) and reconnecting with past friends, acquaintances, stranger, stalkers, etc. haha

Anyway, I haven't gone away, just joined a another universe, a social networking universe. Damn, life is complicated sometimes, lol.

BTW, I have built two guitars in midst of all this...........

Off to Roatan...........

Going to get wet and enjoy a little narcosis.

See you in a week.

Custom Guitar Project Build

Colton and I both ordered our parts to start our custom electric guitar builds. We decided to do a modern classic look and style with a retro feel, IE old style, no relics.

A surprise even to myself, I have decided to do another Stratocaster, which is the same model as my 'relic'. Colt is doing a Telecaster, which should be very cool.

Anyway the picture is similar to what I am going for. Stay tuned for news and pictures of my progress.

Son-in laws

Erin's

Amber's

Brenna's

So three of my daughters have married in the past two years, did they all have to marry actors? I would have been happy with a cop, doctor and a lawyer. Nope just actors. Girls I hope all of those good looks are worth it.

It's Official

I received word that my Gubernatorial appointment to the new Risk Adjustment Board was confirmed by the State Senate today. I will be serving as the employer/employee representative for the citizens of Utah. The position has a minimum two year term. Our immediate task is to develop the business rules, policies & procedures, including pioneering a shared risk adjustment mechanism for the Utah Health Exchange. It is going to be a sizable task, but very exciting, with national implications.

Whew, now it is time to really get to work and labor for a great outcome for Utah and the rest of the nation!

Gettin' a New Boss, Huntsman Resigns

Utah Governor Jon Huntsman, right, gives his remarks accepting the nomination by President Barack Obama as the U.S. ambassador to China in the Diplomatic Room at the White House, Saturday, May 16, 2009, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

About ten days ago the Obama administration sent a memo to the DNC. It stated that the only Republican that might beat Barack Obama in the next Presidential election would be Jon Huntsman, Jr. R-Utah Governor. I guess sending him to China kinda of gets him out of view of the national political scene. Don't agree, when was the last time you heard anything from the Ambassador of China, or do you even know who he is? Granted, there may be no one more qualified than Huntsman, but this definitely is going to impact the US politics for several years to come.

Interestedly enough, I will be receiving a new boss in regards to our health reform efforts. Hopefully, the new Governor will be as interested and supportive. Keep your fingers crossed. There will be a lot of political jockeying going on in Utah in the next few weeks as Governor contenders wrangle for support with the power brokers.

Idoler's

We're down to the final. Cait's vote goes to Adam (emo), Bob and I are voting for Kris (All American Boy).

So who you voting for, and who was your favorite this season?

Off to Belgium......

Anybody want to go to Nemo 33 with me, --let me know?

Nemo 33 is a 33-meter deep swimming pool that is filled with specially filtered unchlorinated spring water. It has a range of different cool stuff underwater, including simulated caves, several platforms and of course the 33-meter (108 feet) deep cylindrical pit.

Click on this blog's title for a cool video.

BTW, what would you think if we put one of these in at Thanksgiving Point??

Change

So a man who has become a national figure in the past few years called me yesterday and said he heard this great quote by former Governor and HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt. He said I thought of you when I heard it and all of your efforts with health reform.

"There are three ways to deal with change;
Fight it and die.
Accept it and survive.
Or lead it, and prosper."
Michael O. Leavitt

I thought this is one of the nicest compliments of my career.

Wouldn't You Know It!

So I had a fun, casual birthday this year with the famn damily that was in town. Everyone spoiled me with nice thoughtful gifts.

Bob went out of her way and found me a AR-15 lower receiver. I don't know how she did it.

I have been lamenting for quite a while that I would like another project and wish I could put together another 'black rifle'. As I have mentioned in other threads there has been a huge run on these guns due to the fear of new gun control laws and campaign promises from Barack Obama. Anyway, now I have the base I need to get my next project going. Unfortunately, as I started trying to find parts yesterday I found that people of not only ran on guns, but also on every component from the smallest screw and spring to barrels, etc.

No guns, no PARTS, no project. Maybe Bob can find the parts I need?

A few weeks ago Barack announced that it would not be politically viable to implement any assault weapons ban or restrictions, even though that was one of his campaign promises. Hopefully, with this statement the demand on parts will lesson and I will be able to start on my next project in a few months.

Still very ironic how the efforts of the gun control advocates have placed so many new guns in the marketplace that their efforts have completely backfired on them.

In the mean time, --maybe I will learn how to play the guitar??

Another One!

They seem to come around pretty fast any more........

Grandslam!

I was fortunate to be in Boston Friday night and attend the Orioles vs. Red Sox Sox game. The Sox are one of the original American League teams and their field Fenway Park is almost as old as the team. Going to a game at Fenway is an amazing experience by itself. Mainly because the the Sox fans are some of the most 'rabid' fans in the world, and if you get a great game like we did, it is even better. Anyone who has been to Fenway and seen the movie 'Fever Pitch' know that the dramatization is not too far off from reality.

There were three home runs Friday night, including a grandslam. A stand up triple and a total of twenty hits for the game, lots of offense. The Sox were down early 7-0, but rallied back for the 10-8 win. Anyway, it was a great night, beautiful weather, great game, great fans and atmosphere.

The last game at Fenway I went to was also against the Orioles, the Sox won and went on to win the World Series, maybe their luck will improve (they are currently in last place in their division) and they can do it again. Stranger things have happened!

He is Risen

Happy Easter,

This is a great time to remember the Prince of Peace and Savior of the World. Hopefully, this remembrance can be reflected in our actions all year.

Have a wonderful day. I am hoping to spend mine with as much family as possible.

Resume Anyone?

So, it is official. I have been nominated by the Governor to serve on the first Utah Health Exchange Risk Adjustment Board as the employer community representative. I am excited to stay engaged and hopefully influence the business processes for the success of the Exchange. I still have to be confirmed by the State Senate before I can serve.

I got a message Tuesday that the Senate needs my resume, ASAP. I haven't had a need or request for my resume in over two decades. ;-) Luckily, I have a secret weapon with Amber C.'s skill and profession. She sent me over a couple of ideas and executive templates that really saved my 'bacon'. After twenty fours years in my profession there is a lot ways, and probably quite a few mistakes I could make on its design.

It has been a crazy week but with her assistance I was able to get it in by the deadline.

Thanks again Amby, I love you.........

'Hammering' a Perfectly Good Guitar

Well I have been looking for a project to do for a while and decided to 'relic' a Fender electric guitar. I am not really into guitars, though I have always seen them as objects of beauty. With Colton's gift for music we have always had several 'floating' around. So anyway, this is the result of my first attempt. It started out as a brand new 2009 Fender Starcaster. I 'reliced' it to look like a '62 Fender Stratocaster complete with vintage pickups and pinup girls. Click on the pictures for a better view.

The project was a lot of fun, though I am not sure what to do with it now except for hanging it on the wall near our music room.

These are a few more closeups. The idea of a relic is to make it look well used and worn. There are a lot of 'relics' for sell in the $2,000- $4,000 price range. Of course, they are a lot better than my first attempt.

Anyway, now I need a new project to keep myself entertained. Any ideas?

Maybe, I should write a novel? ;-}

Symbols; Hammerhead Shark

Symbols have been a part of man's life for thousands of years. The Maoris use 'wildlife' to symbolize desired human characteristics. Being from the island nation of New Zealand, many of their symbols are influenced by the ocean. Several of the other Polynesian cultures have also adopted the Maori symbols.

I really like the picture shown, which symbolizes 'Bravery, Strength, Power and Endurance'. I know these are characteristics that I desire for myself and my son(s)

Some of you may recognize it.

Well, We Did it!!!

What is being hailed as landmark legislation, that has significant national implications, was signed into law this past week by our Governor Jon Huntsman, Jr.. HB188 was the second piece required to establish an additional health insurance market in the State of Utah that will bring correction and greater choice to all Utahns.

Click Here for Story

About two years ago, I was at a meeting and heard a speaker named Dr. Norman Thurston talking about the need of true health reform. Norm (standing second from the left in picture) is the head economist of health for the State of Utah. He indicated that Utah’s new Governor Jon Huntsman, Jr. was committed to bring reform to the market and had the political will to turn over the whole system, if needs be.

Understanding the serious issues regarding the costs of health care, I still found that comment incredulous since Utah did, and still does rank 50th out of all states, as having the lowest health costs in the nation. He also talked highly about Massachusetts’s The Commonwealth Connector as a model the Governor expressed interest in. Though innovative, the Commonwealth Connector is a socialist state ran program that I knew myself, and most Utahns, would not have any appetite for.

I approached Dr. Thurston and asked if he would attend a FirstWest board meeting to discuss his ideas, to which he agreed. At the board meeting, as I listened to his comments and the conversation between Dr. Thurston and our partners, I had an epiphany. I knew how we could accomplish this. At the end of the meeting I asked Dr. Thurston if he would accept some collaboration from us, --that I was confidant the goals they had could be accomplished with a private sector solution with some government facilitation. He agreed, and hundreds of consulting work hours later, lobbying, threats from my industry peers and insurance companies, the nation’s first defined contribution insurance portal came into reality on March 11, 2009.

There were only about twenty five invited individuals at the signing ceremony, not counting an additional dozen, or so members of the press. After the ceremony, Utah’s Speaker of the House David Clark thanked me for all of our work and effort, and for also bringing the process back to the right principals when the political winds blew it back to the benefit of special interests, or a socialist solution. He said there was at least two significant times that this legislation would have failed without our intervention. Understanding the significance of the project, that probably is the nicest compliment of my career.

I could write a book about all that has transpired in the past months, but won’t in the interest of time, and also for confidentiality reasons. For now, we will continue to work for health reform with a new consulting contract with the State of Utah. I have also been recommended for a Governor’s appointment to the new board which will govern the new defined contribution exchange (portal). I should receive that invitation in the next two weeks and then to the Senate for approval in mid-April.

There has been an incredible amount of irony that has come out of our efforts that I may blog about at a later date. One example is we have been invited to visit The Commonwealth Connector on April 16th and 17th to discuss our plan and compare notes. It will very interesting for me to have that access and see what we can learn together, and if any of my conservative views can have an influence on the way they do things in a liberal state like Massachusetts.

Anyway, it has been an amazing ride for a slow talking, hick kid from Springville, Utah.

Invisable Man Visits

I am not sure we think he's as funny as he thinks he is. I know Chico isn't laughing.

Tattoo; thinking about a couple of new ones

What do you think? It would have to be updated with President Monson.

Missing Tamales

So the other day Susan bought some homemade tamales from a Mexican gentleman on the side of the road. I was preparing them for dinner and had placed them in a 9"x11" pan sitting on the stove top waiting for the oven to heat up. We were debating what else to have and decided to go down stairs to pick out a couple things from our 'fruit room'. We were only gone a minute or so and upon returning the pan was still in its original place, put three tamales were missing, their husks were on the floor and the above pictured suspect was standing on the stairs going up with a look of 'it wasn't me' on his face.

Now Chico is typically a very obedient dog, but has been known to steal and consume a whole pan of cooling homemade cinnamon rolls more than once. Maybe his taste are changing or he his expanding his cultural horizons.

BTW, the tamales were very good, --that old thing about 'a dog's mouth is cleaner than a humans', Caitlyn is really hoping that is true.

A Taste of Why I Dive!

This movie is coming soon, you won't want to miss it. Take a look at the trailer to get a sense of why diving has consumed a large part of my life.

http://movies.msn.com/movies/movie/under-the-sea-3d/

Wow, I can't wait..........

Suspect Caught?

Man catches large hare near his house. The suspect claims he is respected holiday figure, but could not explain his lack of a costume.

He does look familiar to me, but I seem to some how associate him with chicken eggs, pastel colors, etc. which doesn't make any sense.

Your thoughts?

BTW, he weighs in at 27 lbs.

Stressor Therapy

The only thing that could be better than this beach is the reef 200 meters offshore. I think it is about time to enjoy both.

Seems like it has been a long winter.

What I am Reading Right Now

Reading for pleasure keeps our minds sharp and entertained. Here is what is (or has been) on my night stand right know, excluding periodicals.

Recently finished books:

'Faith of My Fathers' Sen. John McCain

'No Country for Old Men' Cormac McCarthy

'The Road' Cormac McCarthy

'Beyond Valor' Patrick O'Donnell

'Abraham Lincoln' Time

'Zero' Masatake Okumiya

What I am working on right now:

'The New Testament' (Various)

'Fifty Places to Dive Before You Die' Chris Santella

'American Gospel' Jon Mecham

'Blood Meridian' Cormac McCarthy

So that is what I have been enjoying lately. Let me know what you have also been reading so I can get some ideas on what to read next in the next few weeks.

Here we go again........

So, she is getting married. This little gal has made me smile since the day she arrived over 22 years ago, 'half grown', as the attending physician stated as he pulled out a 9lb. 10oz. baby girl. Even as an infant her smile and disposition was infectious. As I reminisce about 'our time' together I almost always remember her smile, laugh and sense of humour.

Alas, she is all grown up and making herself known to the rest of the world. Most of those she associates with have figured out that this girl is exceptional. She has even revealed herself to a young man and is committing herself to him tomorrow through marriage. Take good care of her Matthew, this gal is really special to a lot of people, especially, her dad.

I love you Brenna, thank you for always making my life a little brighter, no a lot brighter.

Sometime Things are Not What They Seem

Poor Kermie, he was the only one that didn't know.

I Wish I was Diving...

It has been a fast and exciting week, mainly because the Utah Legislature is in session and the second round of 'our' health reform is being brought forth in a significant piece of legislation. Until the bill is 'numbered', which should happen in the next few days, I can't say too much, but this is easily the most far reaching influence that I have had in my 23+ year career. Health reform very likely can or will be my professional legacy.

As exciting as all of this is, and it is exciting to the point of almost being intoxicating, I am 'aching' to get back under the ocean. Man, I am ready to get wet and do some flying in the liquid realm. Hopefully, my BGF and I can get away for a few days next month.

Grieving......

After an unbelievable shock and sense of loss I guess I need to decide how much charity I really have in my heart.

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=148&sid=5443906

I have always been more than a little guarded with my personal friendships, but have always felt that those I have let into my little sphere of life are my very good friends. This has always been a small and select group. Whether, this philosophy is best or not, it has seemed to suit me well. I also have always tried to be the best friend I can be to this little group. I include in this group people, mainly men, that have been my mentors, their mentors, peers, childhood friends, and even some family members, close and extended.

I have learned this week that one of these people, my people, may/has committed some grievous actions against least one child. There is not much more this man could have done to absolutely, completely, repulse me (it is reported that he has confessed to at least one of the charges). I struggle relating or understanding the gay thing, but I am dumbfounded by pedophilia. I don’t get it, why do people do these things? How do they become so ‘broke’?

If this man is innocent, I will stand up for him and help him and his family in anyway that I can. Guilty, I don’t know, maybe the best I can do is try to still remember the good and visit him in jail? Maybe I can focus on the ‘other’ victims, his young family and lend support there. This is definitely a test of my character, from a charitable perspective.

Wade what in the hell have you been doing!!

Are You an Idoler??

I have to confess that I am an American Idol fan. This is hard to admit and I know I may be judged harshly for it. It might even tarnish my rugged reputation. But, they say that one the steps on the road to recovery is admitting your addiction, ---so with tonight being the last night of auditions, I confess freely and openly that I will spend many, many hours, over the course of the next many weeks, watching the drama unfold, enjoying every minute of it, to see who is the next American Idol!

Greatest Ocean Wildlife Encounter?

So, I am assuming that a great many of you that are monitoring this site are SCUBA divers since you were probably compelled into diving by the Mad Man.

Question; have you ever considered to date what has been your greatest ocean wildlife encounter? I believe mine was a brief snorkel with a manatee in a 30' deep channel in Belize off Tobacco Cay. I was shocked by its white color, massive size (VW buggish) and it gracefulness in the water. He was completely aware of us and showed no concern or fear. Though the whole encounter was only a minute or two it made a great impression on me. By the way we learned it was a 'he' from our Belizian guide because it had no visible 'breasts'. (this is why some think manatees were what sailors thought were mermaids. Man, they must have been away at sea a very long time. I know men are obsessed with boobs, but a manatee?) I'll betcha you didn't know that little bit of trivia.

Forgetting Oneself

As I have grown older, and hopefully wiser, I have found this to be true in all aspects of life:

'In order to be successful in any kind of undertaking, I think the main thing is for one to grow to the point where he completely forgets himself; that is, to lose himself in a great cause.' – Booker T. Washington (1856-1915)

Booker, you were a very wise man.

If we are dedicating time which is not an unlimited resource, to anything of value, or as we perceive it as value, whether it be our vocation, personal life or religious practice, we need to 'forget' our self to a 'greater good' to be successful.

Family Motto, or is it Too Otto?

'Sola Virtus Invicta' is on a large tapestry that hangs in our home and on the sub-heading of my blog. In my mind, not sure about Bob's, this is our unofficial family motto. I know it is how I have 'chosen' (aspire to) live my life and I hope all of my other family members chose to do the same.

So brush up on your Latin and let me know if agree with my thoughts on this. Should we make it 'official'. Am I a Mad Man for wanting a 'motto'?

I would also be interested to know your thoughts on this or if you have any alternative ideas about this.

Bless the Second Amendment

I read recently that the most prolific privately owned center fire rifle in America is now the AR-15 and its variants. This is interesting to me in that it wasn't too many years ago, that few serious gun owners, bought this weapon, let alone the casual owner. I am confident that its rapid rise in popularity stems from the gun control efforts of the past ten years, that have during short periods of time, banned, or restricted these type of rifles. The laws that caused the restrictions 'sunseted' away recently. This, and the fear the new administration will be very anti-gun, has made many people who were indifferent to these weapons, 'know' they have to now have one. It has set back significantly any recent gun control efforts by causing a massive buying spree and putting more of these 'assault rifles' in American homes that anyone ever could have imagined. You can not hardly find one of these guns to purchase anywhere at this time.

All pretty ironic, as there is now millions more of these weapons in private hands than there ever would have been if the gun controllers never would have got involved. It will be interesting if they ever will be able to ban or restrict now what is now the most popular centerfire rifle in America.

Go Ahead and Make My Day

We finished our company wide service project early today. We sorted 69,000 lbs. of food for the food bank. It was a lot of work but I think everyone at FirstWest got a lot out of completing the service.

I got home early and convinced my GF to go to Gran Torino with me. Clint delivered especially in his 'tight' directing. He took a lot of chances with this movie in that it is very politically incorrect. I think he gets away with it because it has several very good messages in the movie. Including the main character redeeming himself by serving the less fortunate. I would give the movie 4 out 5 stars, it may be one of Clint's best all time. (Beware that the language is very, very course)

Rowdy Yates you did make my day today, thank you for entertaining us for so many years.

Fiction or Non-Fiction

As those who know me well know, I am a ferocious reader. I am fortunate to be able to read even technical information at a fast pace, which allows me to read many books and other things in a year. As a general rule, not counting the classics, I prefer non-fiction books, since real life struggles and history to me are much more interesting than fantasy worlds, magic wands, vampires, dwarfs, etc. (sorry Abe, Susan, Caitlyn, the U.K., USA, all western teenage girls, everyone else, sorry) Fiction, generally, just doesn't do it for me and seems a waste of time since there is so many non-fiction things to read of such great value.

Anyway, I recently saw the movie "No Country, For Old Men" and really, thought it was a very intelligent and different movie, it also won the Academy Award for best picture. So I went out to my favorite mall ( a virtual one, Amazon.com) to purchase the book. While I was there I saw that the author had recently won a Pulitzer Prize f0r another novel titled 'The Road'. It caught my eye, and was less than $10 dollars with free shipping. I love Amazon Prime so I purchased it.

I read "No Country...." over the holidays, it was good, not great but good, and then started to work on 'The Road'. It took me about four days to find the time to complete this novel. This is a great book. The author Cormac McCarthy sets his novel, in a post-apocalyptic, dark burning world (no vampires, but a lot of cannibal's). The book is about a father, his nine year old son, their struggle to survive, and their struggle to remain the 'good ones'. The love between the two, and the impact of the purity and innocence of the son is pretty amazing. I would like to express a lot more of my thoughts about this book, but I think a lot of its greatness is, the reader decoding the messages of the author, themselves. If you have the time and desire, I would highly recommend that you give it a read.

Interestingly, this book has been made into a motion picture starring Viggo Mortensen. For what ever reason, they have delayed its release. I have read, some feel it is the case, because it is too sad of a plot and setting for the country to deal with right now. Anyway, I will travel to the theaters when it comes out.

Fiction or non-fiction? This book definitely 'wobbled' my current paradigm on this. If you know of others that would do the same, I might give them a try also.

Gran Torino Blues......

With Brenna and Matt's upcoming wedding in less than a month, there has been a lot of activity going on around the house. There is a wedding dress (I don't want to know how much it cost) hanging up in Colton's room, sorry Colt. Announcements and invitations have taken over the kitchen, and the groom to be is living in our basement? Hey, wait a minute, I am not sure that is typical? Luckily, he seems like a nice guy and seems to fit in pretty well with everyone except Chico, who has decided he needs to mark the whole downstairs so he doesn't loose his position in the pack to Matthew. Yes, Chico now is back in 'pants'. Sorry buddy, couldn't protect you from the women on that.

Back to the wedding activity, I am fortunate to be the pending nuptial's sponsor, which means I just have to pay for the envelopes and not lick them. Having the 'paymaster' title and office, precludes or exempts me from most of the pre-wedding fun. Though the wedding can be an inconvenience at times. I have been trying to go the new Clint Eastwood movie "Gran Torino", and not because at age thirteen, Starsky and Hutch's Torino was about the coolest cultural icon going, but because it is supposed to Clint's great swan song and probably his greatest movie yet. I haven't been able to get a date to the movie because my 'girl friend' (Susan Rivera, for those who minds are somewhere else) has not had the same senior management exemption as me, and has not been available.

So, I guess Clint saving the Hmong immigrants and himself will have to wait, and I will have to at least wait, for the kitchen to get back to its old self.

http://movies.msn.com/movies/movie/gran-torino/

I have drank the Kool Aid

I have been reading and lurking around my family's blogs for a couple of years now. I guess it is high time for me to join the ranks of the 'others'.

Lately, when I am finally home in the evenings, I find myself bored with the same old routine. Maybe blogging will give me an outlet to express my thoughts and feelings. Heaven knows I have a 'boatload', maybe, even a 'shipload' of them most of the time (ideas I mean).

So stay tuned for more to come. I will go to great lengths not to embarrass you all too much with my incandescent ramblings, I mean rants.