If you ever see "Forever 80s" -- a three-disc set with 10 songs each for an amazing $10 -- in your local music store, resist the urge to purchase.
I rarely splurge and buy something for me...and when I did, I got janked!
A couple of weeks ago, I went to Radio City Music Hall to buy tickets for family members coming to NYC for Christmas. I had a few minutes before I'd have to head to Grand Central to catch my train, so I went to FYE, looking for the new Fresh Aire/Mannheim Christmas Album (which I'm told is out, but haven't been able to find yet).
Unable to buy my desired CD, I was lured into a display with the above-mentioned 80s CD boxed set. I checked out the back and saw several great songs that I have yet to purchase from i-Tunes or have on CD. I thought I'd hit a gold mine.
On the train, when I opened the set, I read something in the insert that surprised me. After describing the songs and their iconic value, a sentence started with the simple phrase: "While these songs are not sung by the original artists..."
Then who are they sung by?
I had failed to see the phrase: "The Countdown Singers" on the cover.
In other words: "Songs you know...performed by artists you don't"
Or "All your favorite songs....by a non-familiar group"
Maybe: "You've heard the songs for years....though you've never heard this artist"
What about: "You love the songs...but will hate the singers."
"Jump" by Van Halen is just enough off to be comical. Instead of a guitar doing the riffs, it's a keyboard. "Amanda" just doesn't have that tone of sincerity like Boston. And I don't know if they really spit out all the lyrics in "End of the World" before the music catches up to them.
Then again, I've gotten more than $10 worth of humor and laughter out of this, so I suppose it's worth it. And it's taken me down memory road.
It's kind of like being back at my high school proms when no-name bands performed the hits of the day -- so it's a high school Prom album (sans a Forever Young rendition...a staple of any good Utah HS dance)
So now I have a great 3 CD set of 'cover band' music. I'm not feeling any 'power of love' on this.
Mark
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Sunday, October 7, 2007
It was a Corolla, not a Ram
October 7, 2007
I've been wanting to write this for a while, but it's been a bit crazy.
As a member of the High Council, I speak in wards and branches throughout our stake. We've adopted a new procedure that results in our giving two talks on one Sunday, but then getting the next month off. (In the long run, we give the same amount of talks, but prepare only 6 instead of 12, and have only 6 Sunday tied up with speaking assignments instead of 12).
For some time this summer, I had worried about my August speaking assignments, down in a building in our stake that isn't overly accessible by public transportation. We only have one car, and we need that to get my family to our home ward. With all the other buildings and units, I could find a way to make it work, but I knew the August assignment would be a challenge. I could easily handle the morning assignment, then drive home and get my family to church, but getting back to that building for the afternoon assignment wouldn't be easy.
I looked at car rentals, Zip Cars, taxis, buses, etc. The best we could think was that my family would sit in our home ward building for an extra 1 hour 15 minutes after church waiting for me to come fetch them.
But I had prayed off and on for a solution, knowing that "when you're on the Lord's errand, you're entitled to the Lord's help" (a paraphrased Monson quote).
The speaking assignment was on the Sunday after our annual family trek out west. We arrived home late on Saturday evening and had basically figured we'd go with "Plan B" (kids waiting at the chapel). But as we pulled into our driveway, there was a Corolla parked there. Kathryn said "Oh, I forgot. I told one of our friends in the ward that they could park their extra car in our driveway while they were out of town as they couldn't keep it in front of their house due to street cleaning rules".
Though it was a Corolla, it was my "Ram" that the Lord provided at the 11th hour.
When we got inside, we found the car keys (the Corolla had been dropped off when a neighbor was picking up the mail, so they left the keys), and a VM saying "feel free to use the car if you need it."
The perfect solution. Now I could get to my assignment without a problem.
Perhaps this all sounds a bit silly, but it was a major deal to me. Yes, it was nice to have a solution. But more importantly, it made me realize -- again -- that the Lord knows me personally and really will help pull solutions out of a hat, if I will put the problem in his hands. I never would have imagined that solution, so it shows that sometimes we just have to put it in his hands.
To end on a bit of a humorous note, I was thinking about the calling of a new apostle this weekend. The real bugaboo about being called as an apostle is that you know you'll either become the prophet someday.....or die trying!
I'm still pushing for "Popcorn Popping" to be sung as an intermediate hymn at Conference....but I'm not holding out hope.
Mark
I've been wanting to write this for a while, but it's been a bit crazy.
As a member of the High Council, I speak in wards and branches throughout our stake. We've adopted a new procedure that results in our giving two talks on one Sunday, but then getting the next month off. (In the long run, we give the same amount of talks, but prepare only 6 instead of 12, and have only 6 Sunday tied up with speaking assignments instead of 12).
For some time this summer, I had worried about my August speaking assignments, down in a building in our stake that isn't overly accessible by public transportation. We only have one car, and we need that to get my family to our home ward. With all the other buildings and units, I could find a way to make it work, but I knew the August assignment would be a challenge. I could easily handle the morning assignment, then drive home and get my family to church, but getting back to that building for the afternoon assignment wouldn't be easy.
I looked at car rentals, Zip Cars, taxis, buses, etc. The best we could think was that my family would sit in our home ward building for an extra 1 hour 15 minutes after church waiting for me to come fetch them.
But I had prayed off and on for a solution, knowing that "when you're on the Lord's errand, you're entitled to the Lord's help" (a paraphrased Monson quote).
The speaking assignment was on the Sunday after our annual family trek out west. We arrived home late on Saturday evening and had basically figured we'd go with "Plan B" (kids waiting at the chapel). But as we pulled into our driveway, there was a Corolla parked there. Kathryn said "Oh, I forgot. I told one of our friends in the ward that they could park their extra car in our driveway while they were out of town as they couldn't keep it in front of their house due to street cleaning rules".
Though it was a Corolla, it was my "Ram" that the Lord provided at the 11th hour.
When we got inside, we found the car keys (the Corolla had been dropped off when a neighbor was picking up the mail, so they left the keys), and a VM saying "feel free to use the car if you need it."
The perfect solution. Now I could get to my assignment without a problem.
Perhaps this all sounds a bit silly, but it was a major deal to me. Yes, it was nice to have a solution. But more importantly, it made me realize -- again -- that the Lord knows me personally and really will help pull solutions out of a hat, if I will put the problem in his hands. I never would have imagined that solution, so it shows that sometimes we just have to put it in his hands.
To end on a bit of a humorous note, I was thinking about the calling of a new apostle this weekend. The real bugaboo about being called as an apostle is that you know you'll either become the prophet someday.....or die trying!
I'm still pushing for "Popcorn Popping" to be sung as an intermediate hymn at Conference....but I'm not holding out hope.
Mark
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Don't Give up on me
Hi all:
Just wanted to let you know this is still an active blog. I've got three or four blogs written in my head, but just haven't put keyboard to screen yet. I hope to have at least one original post before the weekend, so please check back.
Thanks!
Mark
Just wanted to let you know this is still an active blog. I've got three or four blogs written in my head, but just haven't put keyboard to screen yet. I hope to have at least one original post before the weekend, so please check back.
Thanks!
Mark
Saturday, September 8, 2007
Dis and Dat
1. As you all know, our family is very devoted to the Yankees. As late as about 3 days ago, I really felt they'd finish 1 or 2 games out of the wild card race....they just seem so close, yet I felt they would come up short. But I'm changing my tune after tonight....you heard it hear first: they WILL get the wild card.
2. I'm a big fan of a new kids' show: "Mickey's Mouse Clubhouse" on Disney Channel. We found it during our time with Kathryn's family while in Utah. It's really quite the rip-off of Nick's Dora, which is a tad interesting to see Disney, the former king of children's animation, stealing from the new leader. But I don't mind the rip-off (which includes a journey involving three places and a 'backpack'-like item that has solutions for obstacles. It's cute, simple and innocent. And best of all, I enjoy it. Plus, it's nice to see there's now a frame of reference for Mickey and his friends for the new generation...up til now, meeting Mickey at Disneyland didn't mean that much to them.
3. As Sept. is the new January in my book (as Kathryn says), I'm trying to make sure I read a little of the Book of Mormon FOR ME each day. I do read it to the kids each night, and read the NT (or some other church stuff) on the train, but I've decided to read a little of the BOM each day (even weekends). I'm just choosing favorite chapters to read since I'm reading so little.
A phrase I found intriquing: 2 Ne 2:5 -- "Men are instructed sufficiently that they know good from evil." Is that still true? Yes, we all have the light of Christ, but are today's youth (outside of the church) REALLY being instructed sufficiently on good from evil? I've been thinking lately how it is SO accepted to "live with" or "be with" one another before marriage...it's not just tolerated or not shunned...but expected and considered the new norm. Even "good" people I know outside of church follow that route. That's why I feel that most of the world is NOT being instructed sufficiently on good vs. evil. Someone preaching those values from the rooftops would be considered as out of place today as the hippies of the 60s preaching that traditional values were no longer valid.
See also 2 Nephi 2:8 (first phrase) as to the urgency and need to proclaim the gospel. That would have been a great 'rallying' Scripture when I was on a mission.
4. Does anyone else, when getting their Ensign, race to the back page to see if there are any "Name Withheld" letters to the editors?
5. The new TV season doesn't look too great. I am interested in "Back To You" as I love stories set in newsrooms. And, hate to admit it, but I actually am intriqued with the Caveman show based on Geico commercials. There's been worse places to find a premise.
Mark
2. I'm a big fan of a new kids' show: "Mickey's Mouse Clubhouse" on Disney Channel. We found it during our time with Kathryn's family while in Utah. It's really quite the rip-off of Nick's Dora, which is a tad interesting to see Disney, the former king of children's animation, stealing from the new leader. But I don't mind the rip-off (which includes a journey involving three places and a 'backpack'-like item that has solutions for obstacles. It's cute, simple and innocent. And best of all, I enjoy it. Plus, it's nice to see there's now a frame of reference for Mickey and his friends for the new generation...up til now, meeting Mickey at Disneyland didn't mean that much to them.
3. As Sept. is the new January in my book (as Kathryn says), I'm trying to make sure I read a little of the Book of Mormon FOR ME each day. I do read it to the kids each night, and read the NT (or some other church stuff) on the train, but I've decided to read a little of the BOM each day (even weekends). I'm just choosing favorite chapters to read since I'm reading so little.
A phrase I found intriquing: 2 Ne 2:5 -- "Men are instructed sufficiently that they know good from evil." Is that still true? Yes, we all have the light of Christ, but are today's youth (outside of the church) REALLY being instructed sufficiently on good from evil? I've been thinking lately how it is SO accepted to "live with" or "be with" one another before marriage...it's not just tolerated or not shunned...but expected and considered the new norm. Even "good" people I know outside of church follow that route. That's why I feel that most of the world is NOT being instructed sufficiently on good vs. evil. Someone preaching those values from the rooftops would be considered as out of place today as the hippies of the 60s preaching that traditional values were no longer valid.
See also 2 Nephi 2:8 (first phrase) as to the urgency and need to proclaim the gospel. That would have been a great 'rallying' Scripture when I was on a mission.
4. Does anyone else, when getting their Ensign, race to the back page to see if there are any "Name Withheld" letters to the editors?
5. The new TV season doesn't look too great. I am interested in "Back To You" as I love stories set in newsrooms. And, hate to admit it, but I actually am intriqued with the Caveman show based on Geico commercials. There's been worse places to find a premise.
Mark
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Napping
Napping is misunderstood in this country. People who nap are considered old, lazy or party too hard the night before. Yet we offer no such stigma to those who must eat or use the bathroom.
Absurd comparison? Not at all.
Nobody questions the need of workers to have breaks to use the potty, which is a bodily need. Nobody questions the need of workers to have time to eat a meal -- or snack - throughout the day to keep their energy level high.
But everybody questions the employee who says he needs to take a nap in the middle of the day.
Yet all are bodily, human needs. In my mind, a nap can be as necessary and important to productivity as eating or visiting the restroom during the work day.
I'd suggest we create a national nap day, but beyond being afraid of the stigma associated with leading such a charge, I'm afraid that those 'celebrating' the day would simply sleep away the day and hence make such a celebratory day a tad ironic.
But I encourage you to claim your rights as humans and take a nap at your desk this week. Trust me....it does wonders!
Mark
Absurd comparison? Not at all.
Nobody questions the need of workers to have breaks to use the potty, which is a bodily need. Nobody questions the need of workers to have time to eat a meal -- or snack - throughout the day to keep their energy level high.
But everybody questions the employee who says he needs to take a nap in the middle of the day.
Yet all are bodily, human needs. In my mind, a nap can be as necessary and important to productivity as eating or visiting the restroom during the work day.
I'd suggest we create a national nap day, but beyond being afraid of the stigma associated with leading such a charge, I'm afraid that those 'celebrating' the day would simply sleep away the day and hence make such a celebratory day a tad ironic.
But I encourage you to claim your rights as humans and take a nap at your desk this week. Trust me....it does wonders!
Mark
Monday, July 23, 2007
California vs. New York
On our recent trip from the Empire State to the Golden State, I noticed a couple of differences:
• In NY, they beg you not to make a U-turn, and if you do, they force you to take a separate U-turn lane that takes you up and around....and, technically, avoids an actual u-turn. In California, they seem to not only welcome but encourage U-Turns. I saw lots of actual signs showing the various ways a U-turn could be done legally.
• Don't even think of turning right on red in NY. Yes, they are legal, but it seems like very intersection posts a sign that overrules the state law by saying "no right turn at this intersection". You can make all the right turns you want in California.
• California seems to have more state pride...or at least more pride in their state flag. Have no idea what the NY state flag looks like (I think it's navy with a state seal something on it). But in California, the Bear Republic flies everywhere. I think New Yorkers are New York CITY lovers first, and kind of forget that we're associated with a state, too.
• Don't stand on the roadway in California when waiting to cross the street....DANGER! But in New York, it's kind of like taking a lead-off from first base. You get a "jump" on crossing the intersection by going as far into the crosswalk as you can without being picked off by a car. (Be careful of the 'brush back' drivers who send you scurrying back to the safety of the sidewalk.) Nobody stands on the sidewalk in NYC to wait for the light to change, but everyone does in California.
• California = friendlier people
• California = cleaner places, cleaner people
With no intended diss on my home state, I just seem to smile more and like life a lot more when I'm in the Golden State. "California Dreamin'....."
Mark
• In NY, they beg you not to make a U-turn, and if you do, they force you to take a separate U-turn lane that takes you up and around....and, technically, avoids an actual u-turn. In California, they seem to not only welcome but encourage U-Turns. I saw lots of actual signs showing the various ways a U-turn could be done legally.
• Don't even think of turning right on red in NY. Yes, they are legal, but it seems like very intersection posts a sign that overrules the state law by saying "no right turn at this intersection". You can make all the right turns you want in California.
• California seems to have more state pride...or at least more pride in their state flag. Have no idea what the NY state flag looks like (I think it's navy with a state seal something on it). But in California, the Bear Republic flies everywhere. I think New Yorkers are New York CITY lovers first, and kind of forget that we're associated with a state, too.
• Don't stand on the roadway in California when waiting to cross the street....DANGER! But in New York, it's kind of like taking a lead-off from first base. You get a "jump" on crossing the intersection by going as far into the crosswalk as you can without being picked off by a car. (Be careful of the 'brush back' drivers who send you scurrying back to the safety of the sidewalk.) Nobody stands on the sidewalk in NYC to wait for the light to change, but everyone does in California.
• California = friendlier people
• California = cleaner places, cleaner people
With no intended diss on my home state, I just seem to smile more and like life a lot more when I'm in the Golden State. "California Dreamin'....."
Mark
Thursday, July 19, 2007
I've Returned to the Colonies....
Hi all:
Whilest on vacation in San Diego, I was alerted to the need to attend a meeting in London on Tuesday of this week. So I flew home from vacation Sunday (as planned) and headed to London on Monday morning, spending two nights 'across the pond.' Had a jolly good time.
Some comments, impressions, travelogue, etc:
• I often feel the world has become too homogenized....it all looks the same no matter where you are. In fact, at Heathrow, I saw the EXACT same ads I had just seen at JFK. But then you get into London and you realize there are still a few places that are unique and have their own soul. You may be able to shoot a movie in Canada and make it look like a US city, but you could never make another city look like London.
• Spent most of my time in meetings and client dinner, but had a little time to enjoy myself. Absolutely incredible weather! We stayed near Buckingham palace, and walked around a bit to Piccadilly Circus, No. 10 Downing Street, Parliament and my absolute fave: Big Ben (cast against a navy night sky....we stayed to hear 'him' bong out 10 p.m.)
• England isn't known for its food. (Glad to get a Big Mac when I returned.) But there were some highlights: my traveling companion and I found a small little Indian restaurant on Monday night that was fantastic. Loved the Worchester-sauce pretzels on the plane. And at the airport yesterday, I had a carbonated Passion Fruit, which was very much like my famed Schwepps Granadilla soda from South Africa. And you can't beat Cadbury chocolates!
• Not trying to be mean, but an observation: there's a lot of Brits with big noses.
• My taxi driver to the airport wore a Yankees cap. He said they get the games occasionally live at 2 a.m. and he watches them before driving his shift.
• What's not to love about Virgin Atlantic? First time on them...I was a Virgin Virgin. Their in-seat entertainment in coach rocks vs. Delta's first class cabin or JetBlue's TVs. About 50 on-demand TV options and at least a couple dozen movie on-demands, too. Crowded flight over but very open on the way home. And they constantly feed you...even ice cream bars!
• I've flown from Heathrow to the US three times prior to yesterday, but this was the first time I've flown from Heathrow to NYC (JFK). (The other times were to Chicago after my mission, LA after my study abroad in South Africa, and Wash/Dulles after Kath and I went there). NY passport control pretty fast....odd that I cleared JFK customs and claimed luggage FASTER on Wed. then when I flew in to JFK/Terminal 3/Delta on Sunday night....Delta/NYC is known for their slow luggage return.
• My room in London was not much bigger than our youngest boys' room at our house. Tiny!
• London TV seems to cover only 3 stories a day. When I was there, it was all about David Beckham coming to the US, and a new proposed law that makes EVERYONE an organ donor UNLESS they opt out (vs. the other way around where you have to proactively state you are a donor).
• Felt a lot like being in South Africa (as South Africa was a British colony, it has a lot of similarities). Road signs use the same font.
• When flying to a foreign country, choose a carrier from that country. From the moment I got on Virgin, I was in the UK (they're just so darn British). I can imagine an American Airline flight would be just like flying from Atlanta to Chicago.
• Thing to do next time: Go on the "Eye" ferris wheel. Wanted to this time, but ran out of time.
Whilest on vacation in San Diego, I was alerted to the need to attend a meeting in London on Tuesday of this week. So I flew home from vacation Sunday (as planned) and headed to London on Monday morning, spending two nights 'across the pond.' Had a jolly good time.
Some comments, impressions, travelogue, etc:
• I often feel the world has become too homogenized....it all looks the same no matter where you are. In fact, at Heathrow, I saw the EXACT same ads I had just seen at JFK. But then you get into London and you realize there are still a few places that are unique and have their own soul. You may be able to shoot a movie in Canada and make it look like a US city, but you could never make another city look like London.
• Spent most of my time in meetings and client dinner, but had a little time to enjoy myself. Absolutely incredible weather! We stayed near Buckingham palace, and walked around a bit to Piccadilly Circus, No. 10 Downing Street, Parliament and my absolute fave: Big Ben (cast against a navy night sky....we stayed to hear 'him' bong out 10 p.m.)
• England isn't known for its food. (Glad to get a Big Mac when I returned.) But there were some highlights: my traveling companion and I found a small little Indian restaurant on Monday night that was fantastic. Loved the Worchester-sauce pretzels on the plane. And at the airport yesterday, I had a carbonated Passion Fruit, which was very much like my famed Schwepps Granadilla soda from South Africa. And you can't beat Cadbury chocolates!
• Not trying to be mean, but an observation: there's a lot of Brits with big noses.
• My taxi driver to the airport wore a Yankees cap. He said they get the games occasionally live at 2 a.m. and he watches them before driving his shift.
• What's not to love about Virgin Atlantic? First time on them...I was a Virgin Virgin. Their in-seat entertainment in coach rocks vs. Delta's first class cabin or JetBlue's TVs. About 50 on-demand TV options and at least a couple dozen movie on-demands, too. Crowded flight over but very open on the way home. And they constantly feed you...even ice cream bars!
• I've flown from Heathrow to the US three times prior to yesterday, but this was the first time I've flown from Heathrow to NYC (JFK). (The other times were to Chicago after my mission, LA after my study abroad in South Africa, and Wash/Dulles after Kath and I went there). NY passport control pretty fast....odd that I cleared JFK customs and claimed luggage FASTER on Wed. then when I flew in to JFK/Terminal 3/Delta on Sunday night....Delta/NYC is known for their slow luggage return.
• My room in London was not much bigger than our youngest boys' room at our house. Tiny!
• London TV seems to cover only 3 stories a day. When I was there, it was all about David Beckham coming to the US, and a new proposed law that makes EVERYONE an organ donor UNLESS they opt out (vs. the other way around where you have to proactively state you are a donor).
• Felt a lot like being in South Africa (as South Africa was a British colony, it has a lot of similarities). Road signs use the same font.
• When flying to a foreign country, choose a carrier from that country. From the moment I got on Virgin, I was in the UK (they're just so darn British). I can imagine an American Airline flight would be just like flying from Atlanta to Chicago.
• Thing to do next time: Go on the "Eye" ferris wheel. Wanted to this time, but ran out of time.
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