I don't have time to research this again so I can give you the particulars, but I saw some news article this week that reported that Steven Chu, our energy secretary, has suggested that we all paint our roofs white to be more green. You can look at the following site for more details: http://http://green.yahoo.com/news/afp/20090526/sc_afp/climatewarmingusbritainchu.html
I don't know how to post the link without the whole address visible - sorry.
Anyways, although it is not something that would cause 30 million people to starve to death, it kind of makes me think of Mao. In fact, I realized the other day that I think that is what all of the hype over going "green" has made me think of. I used to think, "We go through some interesting fads in our society." However, this latest story made me think about history. General Mao asked his people to do some pretty incredible things, like melt down all of their iron, if I remember right. He asked them all to plant crops, even though not every Chinese person knew how to do that. But somehow, the people all joined in, and, tragically, they paid for it with tens of millions of lives.
I'm not saying that's what is going to happen to us if every American homeowner paints his/her roof white. I'm just saying that it's interesting how a few people can sometimes influence an entire nation to do something, and I don't think it usually ends up solving the problem. This is probably a bad correlation, and maybe I'll be really embarrassed I shared and I'll delete this, but the article kind of got me thinking . . .
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Happy Birthday, Hermana!
Today was my sister's birthday - Happy Birthday!! We did not get along well growing up. In fact, I think we spent a heck of a lot of time fighting. However, something has happened over the last few years, or so, and we get along pretty well, now. I live in the same town, which is great. We generally see each other once or twice a week, and I love it! She is great! Thanks, Hermana! I hope your day was great!
Friend
A few posts back, I mentioned that a friend was moving soon. Well, he has now. Over the past year-ish we have grown fairly close. I think many of my friends would say that I am a good friend, that I'm good at being nice to people - but I don't know about that. I'm really kind of calculating when it comes to who I try to be friends with. The efforts that went into getting to know this friend, as is usually the case, really paid off, and tonight I'm feeling sad that he is gone.
He was our Austen friend, and that's how it all started. Once upon a time, he called for some reason (it was before we were really friends, so I can't really recall why he was calling, other than that I think I texted him - calculating, I tell you - about something). He found out we were watching a little Austen that night, he came, and a weekly Austen Night developed. This was a great tradition because it only involved a few of us - smaller groups make for an easier time in getting to know and be comfortable with people. We also had him over for Sunday dinner often. We discovered that no matter how a party was going, as long as he showed up, it would be a success because of who he is.
Over the past few months, or so, I would say that the friendship became a lot tighter. I think we all kind of reached a familial level. This past Tuesday evening, Austen Night, he had us over to the place he was staying. He prepared a wonderful meal for us, after which we watched North & South, which is not Austen, but it's really good, and I highly recommend it - Lu will back me up, if you don't believe me. I was so tired that evening, and the movie is 4 hours long, so I didn't feel too alert when we said good bye. I didn't worry about that much, though, as it was my understanding that we would see him Thursday evening. Well, Thursday evening didn't happen, so I don't feel like I really got to say good bye - curse me for not being rested enough to handle Tuesday night!!
I haven't been too sad about Friend's absence, but we usually see him on Sunday, so I find myself rather melancholy. I am tempted to say that working on this friendship might not have been such a good idea because we have been left behind, and I'm sad. However, he's one of those great friends who inspires you to be better than you were before, so I guess it is good we got to know him. Thanks, Friend! You are missed.
He was our Austen friend, and that's how it all started. Once upon a time, he called for some reason (it was before we were really friends, so I can't really recall why he was calling, other than that I think I texted him - calculating, I tell you - about something). He found out we were watching a little Austen that night, he came, and a weekly Austen Night developed. This was a great tradition because it only involved a few of us - smaller groups make for an easier time in getting to know and be comfortable with people. We also had him over for Sunday dinner often. We discovered that no matter how a party was going, as long as he showed up, it would be a success because of who he is.
Over the past few months, or so, I would say that the friendship became a lot tighter. I think we all kind of reached a familial level. This past Tuesday evening, Austen Night, he had us over to the place he was staying. He prepared a wonderful meal for us, after which we watched North & South, which is not Austen, but it's really good, and I highly recommend it - Lu will back me up, if you don't believe me. I was so tired that evening, and the movie is 4 hours long, so I didn't feel too alert when we said good bye. I didn't worry about that much, though, as it was my understanding that we would see him Thursday evening. Well, Thursday evening didn't happen, so I don't feel like I really got to say good bye - curse me for not being rested enough to handle Tuesday night!!
I haven't been too sad about Friend's absence, but we usually see him on Sunday, so I find myself rather melancholy. I am tempted to say that working on this friendship might not have been such a good idea because we have been left behind, and I'm sad. However, he's one of those great friends who inspires you to be better than you were before, so I guess it is good we got to know him. Thanks, Friend! You are missed.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Weekend Camp Out
This weekend we had a ward camp out. It was so much fun. My roommate and I carpooled with a couple of boys to the site, which was a pond about a half-mile behind someone's house. We got there after the sun had gone down, and the fun began. The Other Bookend Boy and I got in a canoe, Roommate and O. B. B.'s Friend got in a paddle boat and we had fun in the pond for awhile. We had delicious tinfoil dinners and cobbler that night. Later, I went canoe-ing with another boy, who I don't know very well. There is a little island in the middle of the pond with a fort on it. We rowed and chatted for awhile, after which we went to the little island. We climbed the fort and star-gazed for awhile. It was a clear night, so lots of stars were visible - enough stars, in fact, that I had a hard time picking out constellations. The only one I recognized was the Big Dipper. I saw other groupings that I thought were probably constellations, but I didn't know which ones they were. Boy and I had a nice tete-a-tete. One on one's are the best! That's when you really get to know people, you know?
Later that night, a few of the guys packed the girls up and took them to the backyard where we girls were to sleep. Roommate and I, however, stayed with the guys for awhile. Roommate had brought her banjo, and we sat by the fire and sang with the boys who were there. One of the boys had his guitar, another had his harmonica, so we had a pleasant time singing and listening to each other. When my Roommate and I finally joined the other girls, they were all asleep, which is where we were, shortly. We had been sort of annoyed that we were to sleep in someone's backyard, but it turned out to be a great thing because we slept on soft grass, instead of dirt and rocks, like some of the guys. Not only that, but in the morning, I was able wash my face, brush my teeth, and use an indoor bathroom - ah, luxuries!
When we got back to the camp, Roommate and I got on the paddle boat. A couple of guys joined us shortly thereafter, which made life kind of interesting, as the boat wasn't really made for four grown people, I think. I also thought it probably looked comical and chauvinistic, with Roommate and me pedaling, while one of the guys stood in the back like General Washington, and the other sat in front of us - I think he paddled a little, to give him some credit. It was a relaxing weekend, and I wish we would do it again.
Later that night, a few of the guys packed the girls up and took them to the backyard where we girls were to sleep. Roommate and I, however, stayed with the guys for awhile. Roommate had brought her banjo, and we sat by the fire and sang with the boys who were there. One of the boys had his guitar, another had his harmonica, so we had a pleasant time singing and listening to each other. When my Roommate and I finally joined the other girls, they were all asleep, which is where we were, shortly. We had been sort of annoyed that we were to sleep in someone's backyard, but it turned out to be a great thing because we slept on soft grass, instead of dirt and rocks, like some of the guys. Not only that, but in the morning, I was able wash my face, brush my teeth, and use an indoor bathroom - ah, luxuries!
When we got back to the camp, Roommate and I got on the paddle boat. A couple of guys joined us shortly thereafter, which made life kind of interesting, as the boat wasn't really made for four grown people, I think. I also thought it probably looked comical and chauvinistic, with Roommate and me pedaling, while one of the guys stood in the back like General Washington, and the other sat in front of us - I think he paddled a little, to give him some credit. It was a relaxing weekend, and I wish we would do it again.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Lu's Song
I mentioned a song we sang at Hootenanny - it makes me think of Lu. For all interested parties, it is called What Shall We Do With a Drunken Sailor, and the part that I (as well as some of the others, I think) really think of Lu during is the "Keelhaul him!" verse.
Love ya, Lu!
Love ya, Lu!
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Happy Mother's Day!
What a great week!
Thursday - Hootenanny!! It was going to be the last for one of our friends (he is moving). Many very musically talented people came. The dynamics were different than they have been before - added to the normal guitar, banjo, and various percussion instruments was a saxophone, trumpet, mandolin, ukulele, triangle, and probably more things that I can't think of. Not only that, but there was a lot of great food. Apparently, to some people "hootenanny" is a German pancake, so some of the guys made those. The dinner was a potluck, so we had a lot of other great things to eat, too. (By the way, Lu, we sang your song, and I thought of you.)
Friday - Roommate and I went to the temple. Yea!
Saturday - Cleaning for the morning - yes! I haven't spent the time that I should have for awhile, so it felt really good to get some good cleaning in. Then one Roommate and I went to a friend's basketball game, which was a nice little break from all of the rest of the craziness. Not only that, but he looked kind of like a pleased school boy - good Mom prep for me, I guess. That evening I got to go to an appointment with the missionaries. As soon as things got started, I felt the Spirit and remembered how much I love to be around the missionaries because of the special spirit that is around them. When I got home that night, a Friend brought one of my Roommate's and me hamburgers. We chatted for awhile, and then the three of us went to stargaze. We didn't go out of the city, though, so it was less effective. However, it was a beautiful night, so it was still relaxing to lay on blankets and listen to the Michael Buble CD playing in my Roommate's car while staring at the sky and talking.
Sunday - I got to feed the missionaries. I didn't have much time to prep. Friend came to chaperon. He ended up doing way more than that. He took the trash out, unloaded the dishwasher, prepared most of the meal, and set the table while I worked on dessert. I'm ashamed of that, but I'm so glad he was willing to serve the missionaries and me tonight. After we fed the elders, and they had left, he did the dishes, too. Yes, ladies, he is a keeper, that's for sure. It's going to take one heck of a girl to match up to him. We had a nice tete-a-tete after cleaning up, and then he went home, which gave me the opportunity to call my mom and wish her a
Thursday - Hootenanny!! It was going to be the last for one of our friends (he is moving). Many very musically talented people came. The dynamics were different than they have been before - added to the normal guitar, banjo, and various percussion instruments was a saxophone, trumpet, mandolin, ukulele, triangle, and probably more things that I can't think of. Not only that, but there was a lot of great food. Apparently, to some people "hootenanny" is a German pancake, so some of the guys made those. The dinner was a potluck, so we had a lot of other great things to eat, too. (By the way, Lu, we sang your song, and I thought of you.)
Friday - Roommate and I went to the temple. Yea!
Saturday - Cleaning for the morning - yes! I haven't spent the time that I should have for awhile, so it felt really good to get some good cleaning in. Then one Roommate and I went to a friend's basketball game, which was a nice little break from all of the rest of the craziness. Not only that, but he looked kind of like a pleased school boy - good Mom prep for me, I guess. That evening I got to go to an appointment with the missionaries. As soon as things got started, I felt the Spirit and remembered how much I love to be around the missionaries because of the special spirit that is around them. When I got home that night, a Friend brought one of my Roommate's and me hamburgers. We chatted for awhile, and then the three of us went to stargaze. We didn't go out of the city, though, so it was less effective. However, it was a beautiful night, so it was still relaxing to lay on blankets and listen to the Michael Buble CD playing in my Roommate's car while staring at the sky and talking.
Sunday - I got to feed the missionaries. I didn't have much time to prep. Friend came to chaperon. He ended up doing way more than that. He took the trash out, unloaded the dishwasher, prepared most of the meal, and set the table while I worked on dessert. I'm ashamed of that, but I'm so glad he was willing to serve the missionaries and me tonight. After we fed the elders, and they had left, he did the dishes, too. Yes, ladies, he is a keeper, that's for sure. It's going to take one heck of a girl to match up to him. We had a nice tete-a-tete after cleaning up, and then he went home, which gave me the opportunity to call my mom and wish her a
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!
I love you, Mom!
P.S. Happy Mother's Day, Grandma's, too! I love you!
Monday, May 4, 2009
Pride & Prejudice
Don't you love the 5-hour Pride & Prejudice? My roommates and a couple of guys - that's right, a couple of guys - and I watched it. It had been quite awhile since I had last seen it, and I don't know if I have ever done it all in one sitting. It was great!! Loved it. I think my favorite line is still one by Charlotte Lucas on marriage. Which is yours?
Friday, May 1, 2009
Lida Rose, Part II
Running is not my thing - I'm not sure if you're all aware of that or not, but I usually prefer not to do it. I tried, though. I ran with him for awhile. Finally, I told him something about not being able to keep doing it, I think, and we walked a little.
"I could run ahead and get your . . . but you don't know where to go. Tell me when you're ready to run again!"
"Okay."
After a brief respite, I said, "Alright."
"Ready?"
"Sure."
We ran not much farther when he informed me that he was going to run ahead and get my ticket. "Just keep running - it's the building straight in front of us."
Yeah. I kept that up for a few moments and then decided to walk again. When I finally came galumphing to the theater, he was still waiting to get it, which he did, and we walked in the theater. It was a very small theater, with the floor as the stage, so I'm guessing that's why it was so important to not be late.
Once we got settled, I immediately began to fan myself with my program. "Seriously!" he says and follows suit. The play didn't start for another few minutes, so we were totally fine. The run had sort of dried out my throat, and so I was worried for awhile that I was going to have a coughing fit and have to get up and walk across the stage or climb over, or through, the bars behind us to escape. I looked at the program and told myself that I just had to make it through 13 songs, at which point it would be intermission, and I could leave to get a drink. Due to a sudden change of plans, amongst other things, I also started to feel panic threatening me. There was no way I was about to let that happen, so I took necessary measures and after a short time I got into the play and really enjoyed it.
When I got back from the restroom after intermission, he had bought me a cookie, which was nice, especially since I hadn't eaten supper that night. Once the play was over (which was pretty good, I thought), he gave me a ride to my car, during which time he brought up how lines that are quoted often in talks and things to encourage us to be good often come from more sordid moments of the productions they come from, and then he sang an entire song to me from Camelot to illustrate his point because I didn't recognize it. Oh, the irony of it all!! Something that girls dream about, and it happens to me in a situation in which it means nothing. I'm not complainging - I'll still take it - I just find certain moments in my life kind of funny. Anyway, it was a splendid night, and I'm grateful to have had such a wonderful evening.
"I could run ahead and get your . . . but you don't know where to go. Tell me when you're ready to run again!"
"Okay."
After a brief respite, I said, "Alright."
"Ready?"
"Sure."
We ran not much farther when he informed me that he was going to run ahead and get my ticket. "Just keep running - it's the building straight in front of us."
Yeah. I kept that up for a few moments and then decided to walk again. When I finally came galumphing to the theater, he was still waiting to get it, which he did, and we walked in the theater. It was a very small theater, with the floor as the stage, so I'm guessing that's why it was so important to not be late.
Once we got settled, I immediately began to fan myself with my program. "Seriously!" he says and follows suit. The play didn't start for another few minutes, so we were totally fine. The run had sort of dried out my throat, and so I was worried for awhile that I was going to have a coughing fit and have to get up and walk across the stage or climb over, or through, the bars behind us to escape. I looked at the program and told myself that I just had to make it through 13 songs, at which point it would be intermission, and I could leave to get a drink. Due to a sudden change of plans, amongst other things, I also started to feel panic threatening me. There was no way I was about to let that happen, so I took necessary measures and after a short time I got into the play and really enjoyed it.
When I got back from the restroom after intermission, he had bought me a cookie, which was nice, especially since I hadn't eaten supper that night. Once the play was over (which was pretty good, I thought), he gave me a ride to my car, during which time he brought up how lines that are quoted often in talks and things to encourage us to be good often come from more sordid moments of the productions they come from, and then he sang an entire song to me from Camelot to illustrate his point because I didn't recognize it. Oh, the irony of it all!! Something that girls dream about, and it happens to me in a situation in which it means nothing. I'm not complainging - I'll still take it - I just find certain moments in my life kind of funny. Anyway, it was a splendid night, and I'm grateful to have had such a wonderful evening.
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