My wife is funny and my film review of Mama Mia

So, my wife, the facilitator for happiness, told me about what happened a few weeks ago when she went to see the movie "Mama Mia " with her sisters. She got up and danced and sang during the movie. Her sisters, were tellling her to sit down. They were embarassed and wanted her to quit making a spectacle of herself. The rest of the audience didn't mind though, because they clapped for her and yelled for more. Now, I bring this up because anyone that knows Pam is aware that this is very much out of character for her. In fact, for the first 20 years of our marriage she was extremely shy and self-conscious. What's more she was not funny. She really didn't have a sense of humor to speak of.
Oh, she did have a sense of humor, but just not an Arnett sense of humor. She was always embarassed by my actions and remarks. But, then a miracle happened about five years ago. She became funny. Not just mildly funny, but really funny. She finally took to heart what I have been telling her for years--not to worry about what other people think about you because you will never see 95 percent of them ever again.
Recently, while she was in Hawaii for 5 long weeks, she was having dinner at a restaurant with her sister and the server said if you need anything to just yell. So, in true Arnett fashion, she yelled, JOE as loud as she could. Again, her sister was mortified.
She sing "Oh, that I were an Angel" at the top of her lungs for anybody showing off her best American Idol reject voice.
Today, she even gave the Christmas Sunday School lesson to our young single adult class. It was great and funny.
I can pinpoint when she became funny. Chad and I know exactly when it was. It was the evening after she had gall bladder surgery about five years ago. She had insisted on going to cousin Mark and Camille's daughters' wedding movie at Harkins Theater. This was only hours after having her gall bladder out. We took her in a wheel chair. She would not miss the social event of the year. Needless to say, she was heavily medicated. On the way home we were driving and a police car pull up to the side of us. I was going the speed limit, but he was just cruising along the side of us. Out of nowhere, Pam yelled, "copper". Chad and I busted out laughing. We had never seen this side of Pam. We couldn't stop laughing. Since that time she has become funny. She says she has always been funny, but I remind her that she's only been funny for the last five years of our marriage. You haven't lived or laughed until you hear her yell in a low-pitched voice, "Nooooooooh". Me thinks she has finally become an Arnett.
So, now for my Mama Mia movie review. Pam received it for a birthday present from her sister who told her to sit down this past week. After hearing about her singing and dancing outburst, I thought I would watch it. If I liked it, maybe we could take dancing lessons, and go to movies and dance together.
Well, I watched it. No one told me it was all about ABBA songs. ABBA? I mean ABBA? What's worse it had Pierce Brosnan singing ABBA songs. ABBA? I will never watch a Brosnan James Bond movie ever again. James Bond does not sing ABBA songs and Pierce Brosnan cannot sing, period. Meryl Streep overacted. She is the master of subtle acting. But man, oh man, she cannot do musicals. Julie Andrews should be in musicals not Meryl Streep. The hills were not alive in Mama Mia.
Now to Colin Firth. For all you P&P people I hope you have had your bubble burst. Your Mr. Darcy found out he was gay. So there you have it. ABBA and a gay Mr. Darcy. What would Lizzy say?
I'm thinking that maybe I'll rent Twilight. At least it's about real people with real problems like being a vampire or falling in love with a vampire, not some contrived musical using ABBA songs. ABBA?

My Film Review of Twilight

As someone I know was reading Twilight, I was asked, "exactly what is the church's stand on vampires"? I replied I don't think the church has ever given an exact stand on vampires. I know there has been a manifesto, a proclamation, a few declarations, many sections even additional sections added to sections, chapters and verses, even Joseph Smith translations of part of the Bible, but I don't believe there has ever been a stand taken on vampires. I could be wrong and would like to be corrected if someone knows. If so, I would like to know the church's official stand on vampires. Is it a moral issue? Is it a cultural issue? Are there missionaries in Transylvania or in whatever part of Oregon or Washington that Twilight takes place? Do the parents of the the female lead character (I don't even know her name) have a sign over their door that reads, "Return With Honor" or does it read, "Return With Honor and with Blood"? Do the parents of the vampire kid have a sign over their door that reads, "Remember Who You Are"? These are important questions of our time. If thousands upon thousands of females, including pregnant and uncomfortable ones -- not to mention some of the most intelligent women I know and respect, would brave the midnight hours and cold to see the movie, there must be an official church stand on vampires. For those vampires that give in to their carnal desires, is it considered "the shedding of innocent blood"? Since there are many mansions in the God's realm, are the vampires relegated to a haunted mansion? So many questions and too few answers. Maybe the next movie will answer them or maybe there will be a general conference talk on the subject. Please don't be offended by my callous joking, after all it's a matter of taste. My favorite movie of all time is "Support Your Local Sheriff", afterall, I'm basically just on my way to Australia. By the way, my favorite book any thing by Danielle Steele.

A story to top Candy's although it wasn't at church

I'm not sure how many of my blog followers have ever taken a Greyhound or Continental Trailways bus trip. No, not a charter bus on some tour or excursion, or a school bus, but a real trip where you pay money and ride the bus.
Many years ago, I needed to travel from Blythe, the home of our ancestors, to Tucson, Arizona to visit Cliff and Cathy. I had no way to get there, so I decided to travel by Greyhound Bus. It seemed simple enough, buy the ticket, get on the bus and go.
It started off exactly as I planned. I bought the ticket, got on the bus across the street from the Hub theater in Blythe, the home of our ancestors and we were on our way.
I didn't realize however, that bus routes are not direct. In fact, they are anything but direct. Our first stop was in Quartzsite, AZ where no one got on or off, but we stopped anyway for 10 or so minutes. We then proceeded to Tucson, or so I thought. But, no, we stopped in Aguila, Wendon, Salome, Wickenburg, Surprize, Phoenix, Mesa (Phoenix and Mesa were 45 minutes each), Chandler, Casa Grande, Red Rock, Marana and then Tucson. All told there were on average about 15 to 16 people at one time on the bus. Some got off, some got on.
Nothing really extraordinary about the trip other than it was the longest bus ride in the history of mankind. Oh, well maybe there was this one thing. During our stop in Phoenix, a middle-aged African-American woman boarded the bus. During the whole trip, I sat right behind the driver because I was young and inexperienced and figured that was the safest place to sit in case anything bad happened.
Anyway, this lady sat just a row or two behind me all by herself. There were several other people sitting close to the front also. It seems everyone else also thought being close to the driver was the safest place to be.
Just a few minutes after she boarded and we were on our way to the next stop in Mesa, she started screaming. They weren't loud long screams, just short bursts with an sporatic name yelled out. I turned around to see what was going on. I guess I wasn't an experienced bus traveler because everybody else on the bus didn't seem to notice or care. They just casually got up and moved further away from her and kept reading their magazines or whatever. The bus driver didn't even look in the mirror to check to see if the lady was being attacked or attacking anyone. At this point I was the closest person to this lady. I was anxiously awaiting our stop in Mesa hoping she would get off. She didn't. A few did get off but even more got on.
They were obviously seasoned bus travelers, because when she resumed her screaming they just got up and moved toward the back of the bus. No one said a word. No one asked her if she was okay. It just seemed like normal bus business to everyone on the bus. By the way, it wasn't a short bus. I know some of you would ask if I was riding on the short bus.
So, to make a long story short, which is already impossible, when we got to Casa Grande, a nice young African-American male got on the bus. He perused the bus patrons and saw that there was only one other person of color, actually that's not entirely true, several "busters", (I just coined that phrase), were hispanic. He decided that he would be cordial and sit next to the "lady". I wanted to warn him, but I didn't know if that was proper bus etiquette. The bus driver didn't seem to care one way or the other and neither did any of the people that were still on the bus and knew the situation, so I kept my mouth shut and leaned a little closer to the bus driver thinking it still the safest place on the bus.
It didn't take long for this nice young man to realize that his kindness was misplaced. The lady went beserk. She started screaming louder and longer and yelling many different names now. This time everyone turned to look. The poor guy sitting next to her didn't know what to do. He was just sitting there and she was going crazy. He started to panic and tried to help the lady. Wrong move. She became more frantic. She was a really good screamer. The bus driver finally looked in the mirror to check things out, then just kept on driving. Finally, the guy next to her figured it out. He got up and moved. Everyone else went back to reading their books and magazine. The bus driver just went to the next stop. I leaned even closer toward him and the guy that was sitting next to the crazy lady got off at the next stop. I'm positive it wasn't where he wanted to go, but he got off anyway. I would have too.
The lady went back to screaming in short bursts after that for the rest of the trip to Tucson. When we got to Tucson, we all got off. Cliff was there to pick me up. I sat really close to him on the way to his house.
So, I've thought about that trip several times over the years and here is what I've concluded. I don't think the lady was crazy at all. I think she was mad I got the front seat next to the bus driver and she was upset and scared knowing the safest place to sit was right behind the driver in case anything bad were to happen. So, she came up with this scheme to scream in sporadic bursts to make people think she was crazy and everyone would leave her alone. I bet she told her husband and five kids in Tucson that the trip went just fine.
By the way, I've never taken a bus trip since.

26 years and counting!

Two days ago, my wife the ultimate facilitator of happiness, and I celebrated our 26th wedding anniversary. It was an eventful day that began with an all you can eat breakfast at IHOP. Why is IHOP always busy? We went around 9 or 9:30am and it was still crowded. I ate as many pancakes as a man who has been married for 26 years could possibly eat. I was sick for the next 6 hours getting over my sugar high. We had planned to then have a romantic dinner at Texas Roadhouse (I know how romantic could Texas Roadhouse be?), but it's good food, especially the rolls. Anyway, we were both still extremely full from IHOP and decided to eat some lighter mexican food at our favorite restaurant Gecko Grill. While there Pam handed me a piece of paper with the following handwritten notes. It read, "Reasons I Love Jeff". Here's what she wrote.
1. So good with people
2. Best dad imaginable
3. Loves me
4. Listens to me
5. Knows how to fix things and can fix anything
6. Always tells good things about me to people
7. Doesn't care if I cook dinners
8. So easy going about house, food, clothes
9. Doesn't spend money
10. Wears whatever and doesn't care
11. Doesn't like to shop and spend money on clothes
12. Good hair
13. Still cute
14. Funny
15. Likes sports
16. Is a true 100% man's man
17. Likes to fish
18. Like boats
19. Works as hard as he can
20. He brings me stuff when I need it
21. Lets me read in bed with the light on
22. Went on a mission
23. Is so knowledgable about the gospel
24. Love his parent and family
25. Is true blue loyal to me
26. Never has given me any reason to ever be jealous

So, there is the list she handed me over chips and salsa. Needless to say, the pressure was on. I had nothing prepared for her. So, being a quick thinker I asked her for a piece of notebook paper and wrote the following; Reason I love Pam.
1. She's shy
2. Best mom ever to grace the face of the earth
3. Loves me and puts up with me
4. Lets me listen to my own voice
5. Expects me to know everything
6. Loyal to a fault
7. Buys me fruit and almonds
8. Doesn't spend money or if she does she returns things
9. Doesn't care what I wear
10. Worries about my hair
11. She's beautiful (this was a smart one)
12. Starting to act like me towards other people.....funny
13. 110% real woman now that she has an estrogen pellet shot into her hip
14. Puts her used QT drinks on the bedstead
15. Reads all the time with the light on in bed
16. Our son is on a mission because of her
17. Reads the Book of Mormon everyday, mostly at night with the light on
18. Loves my family even though we all have A.S.S.
19. Has only given me 2 times to ever be jealous and they were not her fault. People stop her and say she looks like Goldie Hawn or Barbara Mandrell.

So, if I do say so myself, I came up with my smart list very quickly and save my bacon. Oh, I shouldn't have mentioned bacon because it still makes me sick just to thing about the all you can eat breakfast we had at IHOP. For our anniversary presents we got new wedding bands. It appears that gold is out and fat silver or platinum wedding rings are in. Funny, but isn't gold at an all time high right now? I also bought her a real crutch to use for her ailing knee and a gel bicycle seat which she won't be able to use until her knee heals. She got me a new pair of brown shoes that she likes and knows I'll wear because I don't care what I look like.

So, there it is, a recap of our 26th wedding anniversary. I still remember the night of October 14th, 1982 when I was staying at Lance and Candy's house the day before our temple sealing. Pam had insisted that I write down my feelings about getting married. As I was doing so, a wise man walked into the room. His name happened to be Howard Arnett. He just sat down in a chair and didn't say a word. Finally, after some time had past, I asked him if he needed anything. He said no and just continued to sit next to me. I said, "Dad, did you want to talk or something." He said, "well I thought I might give you some advice". I then prepared myself for some incredible words of wisdom from the man I admired most. I expected a "sermon" of sorts about the intricacies of marriage, and the nuances of human interaction between a man and a woman who enter into the sacred bonds of holy matrimony. I gave him all my attention. I was a little nervous about the next day and needed some reassurance. In, Howard like fashion, he looked at me and then uttered these most profound words, "If you want a happy life, you better have a happy wife". We both chuckled and he got up and walked out of the room. 26 years later I have never forgotten that advice. What's even better is that my wife is truly the facilitator of my happiness.
I love you Pammie. How you made it this far with me I'll never know.

I've never been polled!

So, Pam says I never write in my blog anymore and that the last thing I wrote was about staring down a mass murderer. I told her I didn't have anything to say anymore, that is, until last night.
I don't watch tv anymore because I have sling box and can do it online and play Spider Solitaire or read your blogs at the same time. What a great country! But, last night was the vice-presidential debate. I admit I didn't watch much of it, because I was watching the Utah-OSU game and playing an incredibly difficult game of Spider Solitaire which took great concentration.
However, I did watch the media slice, dice and mulsify just how bad Sarah Palin did. Now, I must go on record as saying I still don't know who I'm gonna vote for. I am a registered Independent. I have been one for some 20 plus years. Pam says it just because I want to be different. I say it's because I am independent. All of this aside, CNN, ABC, CBS, NBC, CNBC, XYZ, BIC, RIP, and all the others (except of course Brizszdzddxxaacaxxxxzxzxxz), pundited that Sarah Palin did okay, but that she is not qualified, not going to help McCain, not factually correct, speaks funny, ya da ya da ya da ya da. I've come to expect that. I don't watch or listen to Bill Maher, Michael Moore, Kieth Olberman (he's got some anger issues) or Rush Limbaugh for that matter. At least Rush knows he's in it for the money and it's just an act. But, I'm not a big fan of anybody bashing either party, probably because I'm not a member of either party. Letterman is starting to bug me. He's become way to anti McCain-Palin. Right now it's cool to make fun of those two. Heaven knows I like to make as much fun as the next guy, but it's too obvious. So, what was I saying, oh, here's the deal. On CNN they kept citing these polls that had just been taken with really enlightening questions like who looks more politician, and who do you trust, and who did better.
Well, it dawned on me that I've never been polled once in my life. I've stared down a mass murderer, I've been asked to take phone surveys, I've been asked to donate by the Salvation Army (good cause by the way), I've turned down the guys at the DMV that sit outside wanting me to sign up for some cause, etc. But, I've never been polled on anything political, racial, religious or come to think of it I've never even been asked to comment on what TV shows I watch or who is number one in college football.
Who are the people being polled? Where do they come from. Are they relatives of the newspeople? I've heard of the Harris poll, the Gallup poll (I've been to Gallup and I wouldn't want to poll many people there), the USA/CNN poll, the North pole and even the South Pole, but I've never been contacted by one of them. I did fall off a chin-up pole once. I was standing on the top of it trying to walk across it on the playground of Ruth Brown elementary school. My feet slipped and gravity took it's course and I hit the pole right between my legs, but that's another story. Okay, so maybe I have an aversion to polls, or poles, but don't you think at my age I should have at least been asked to be in some sort of poll. I never have been asked to be part of a focus group. I've never even taken the Pepsi challenge. I can't even give my opinion in church, especially the High Priest's Group. They cringe when I raise my hand. Pam, on many occasions, has forcefully put her hand on my hand and pressed down hard when I'm about to raise it in Sunday School. I get it. I'm opinionated, I have A.S.S., I'm an idiot, I like to hear my own voice, I write too long of blogs, etc. But, why I haven't I ever been polled?
Because of my lack of polling experience, I question the polls. Who are these people that tell us how we are thinking. I didn't think Biden did better than Palin and I like Biden. I would vote for Biden for President right now. I didn't think Palin did bad at all. I actually like her voice. It reminds me of the movie "Fargo". You know the pregnant small town police chief woman. I'd vote for her as president. Geez, she captured the murderer and figured out the crime. Sure she said "you betcha" a lot. Kind of cute I thought. Come to think of it I like her character really a lot because I've also stared down a mass murderer.
Okay, now you know why they won't call on me in High Priest's quorum, but I would like to take a poll on my blog. How many of you have been polled for anything political. I'm talking about a real poll, not if you would like to donate to a political party or if you would like to have information sent to you about car insurance. Please let me know. Anwser my poll. A simple yes or no would do, or you can write an epistle. Now is your chance to be a part of the process. If you live in a mansion or live in a van down by the river, take part in my poll. Have you ever been politically polled?

Oh by the way, I'm starting a new blog at Pam's request called "Hot Dawg in Hamburg". Instead of sending you the emails from Chad we are going to post them on this new blog with photos, etc. That way if you really want to read about him you can, if you don't you are going to hell anyway and you don't have to read the blog.

Did I mention that I stared down a mass murderer?

The reality of Justice

Today I was called for Jury Duty. I've been called before having to report to the Mesa Courthouse, but I've never been assigned to appear in Phoenix. I had to report to the Maricopa County Superior Court in downtown Phoenix at 8 a.m.
I was really dreading this. In fact, I asked for a postponement and was granted a 3-month extension until today. In hindsight, I wish I had appeared earlier and here is why.
There were approximately 500 prospective jurors who had to appear at the same time. We all had to go through the security lines and wand waves and then turn in our juror summons and then recieve some paperwork to fill out. We waited for about 1 1/2 hours in a large waiting room, listening to instructions, etc. From the time we began our security screenings and sitting in the waiting room it was now around 11 a.m. Then one of the clerks announced over the loudspeaker that 120 of us would be randomly selected to go up to the 4th floor. She then began to read aloud names and assign numbers beginning with 121. At the time I was not sure why she began with 121, but I later discovered why.
It appears that I am quite a random person because I was selected and assigned number 199. After we were given a 8x11" piece of paper with our number on it, we were told to follow two court officials upstairs and then line up according to our number. While in the elevator I turned the paper over and read that we, as prospective jurors, would be participating in a trial anticipated to last 9 months. 9 months!
I had no idea what was going on until I saw a handmade sign with the name on the front door of the courtroom that said, "Dale Housner".
For those of you that don't live in Arizona that name won't mean much to you, but it does to us. He is accused of killing eight people in the Phoenix/Glendale/Mesa area and shooting 33 others in addtions to killing 3o or more animals during a 14 month shooting spree. It was during the same time as the Baseline Killer rampage. He and his fellow defendant are known as the Serial Shooters. FYI, one of the victims was an LDS girl in Mesa. He shot and killed her with a 410 shotgun while driving by her one night. You can read more about the shootings by Googling Dale Housner or searching the AZ Republic.
We were told to go into the courtroom where the judge had all of the counts against Housner read to us. We were given a 6 page copy of the counts. It took 30 minutes to read the charges ranging from attempted murder to murder to consiparacy to cruelty to animals, etc.
As luck or randomness would have it I sat not more than 7 feet behind Housner and his attorneys with only a rail between us. It was surreal. I didn't want to make eye contact as he frequently turned around. He was often taking notes and then would look around the room. I'm not sure that I felt real fear, but instead uneasyness and trepidation. This guy killed 8 people in cold blood. He didn't look "Mansonesque", just creepy. I've tried to think of another word to describe him but I can't. Creepy sounds so "high schoolish", but he wasn't necessarily evil looking or grungy or even unkempt. He was creepy.
The judge began by telling us no one wants to be on a jury--especially one that will be in session for 9 months. So, he gave us his best patriotic speech. He talked about soldiers serving in Iraq and freedom and about doing our part and serving on a jury to maintain our freedoms, etc. Truthfully, I've heard better speeches from Larry and Dana on keeping America strong -- and they were more convincing.
Nevertheless, this guy is a cold blooded mass murderer and if you have to be on a jury there is no better case to decide.
The judge told us that he would call us by our juror number and ask if we could serve. If we could not he would ask us why not and perhaps ask a few more questions. So, the process began.
During this process, both the prosecution and defense kept detailed notes. So did Hausner. In fact, as each juror stood he look directly at them, but more on that later.
The first juror was polled and he said he could serve. So did the second and third jurors. I thought, "wow, this is a piece of cake, they will get all they need before they get to me". Then the excuses began. I'm sorry your honor, I can't serve because blah, blah, blah.
He questioned each excuse then excused those that said no. The reasons for not serving were good. He even recommended to some that they not serve. Women who were pregnant couldn't serve. Neither could men or women with small children and no caregivers. Small business owners were excused. Office managers -- excused. Students-- excused. Those that had ties to law enforcement -- excused. Those that had familiarity with the victims of the crime scenes were eliminated. Those with health concerns, those with travel plans that couldn't be changed were excused. Yet, about every 5 or so jurors could serve the full 9 months. Some said they could not be impartial due to the heinousness of the crimes and media coverage. One poor mother was sobbing as she told the judge her son was a victim of a drive by shooting. One man said he new the LDS girl who was killed. Again, each time Hausner looked at each prospective juror.
I suppose the best reasons for not serving were these; several people did not believe in the death penalty (this is a death penalty case), one young 19-year old said he had a short attention span and really couldn't pay attention. The judge questioned him extensively and determined that he really couldn't. He was right. The kid explained he works at Quisno's and gets help from his co-workers to get the orders right. That was the best excuse. Several couldn't speak English well enough. The judge caught a few in some exaggerations. A few people said they had young children to attend to, which was fine, except they couldn't readily remember their ages. That was interesting. He excused them anyway.
But, the reason for not serving which really doesn't make sense to me is one that was used often and accepted by the judge, was animal cruelty. Now, I own a dog. I've had several. I grew up around horses and cattle. I've seen sheep. I'm not a big fan, but I've never wanted to be cruel to them. I loved cats as a kid, but I'm not so big on them now. Overall, I would say I'm as much an animal proponent as most people. But, doesn't it seen odd that when a mass murderer kills eight people and maims 33 others, that people cruelty might be a better explanation. Yes, he killed 30 plus animals, but he killed eight human beings. I really don't get it. What's more, all the people that said they couldn't serve because of the animal cruelty issue were excused. No questions asked. I can understand the death penalty issue. I don't understand that a person could not be impartial because of animal cruelty. Does that mean they could be impartial if it was only human cruelty?
Anyway, here's what happened to me. I'm glad I was 199. It gave me time to think about justice, my values, my priorities, etc. As I listened to those that opposed the death penalty, I had a struggle of conscience. I know I have liberal leanings. Certainly, this guy deserves what he gets, but could I as a juror be responsible for putting him to death. I know it's not that simple and it wouldn't be on my head so to speak. Yet, it would. It might be different if he was holding a gun pointed toward me or my family and I had to shoot back, but I really struggled with being responsible for someone's death. I've never had to come to terms with that. I didn't like how it made me feel. Does it "make it better" if he dies? Does it "make it better" if I help to make him die? I asked myself if I could be impartial anyway. Maybe I could tell the judge I also had a short attention span due to A.S.S. and get away with it.
The guy two spots in front of me was some sort of a court official. The judge knew him and said he shouldn't serve. The lady right in front of me had been reading the Ensign. She was a teacher and the judge excused her. I never spoke to her or the guy behind me. I was really in turmoil. Part of me really wanted to be on this jury. I truly wanted to find out what I would do during the trial.
So, my time came. The judge asked me if I could serve. I answered I could not. He asked why. I said that I was self-employed and I also taught music lessons and that after nine months I would have nothing to go back to -- which is entirely true, yet I felt guilty. Did I mention we were sworn in? He excused me. The guy behind me was having hip relacement surgery. His reason sounded much better than mine. I fel ashamed I said no. Not because I really couldn't serve, but because I would miss out on the trial. I would miss out on wondering how I would vote on "killing someone". I would miss out on whether I could be impartial. What if he really didn't do any of this? He plead not guilty on all charges. When I stood to address the judge, Dale Hausner turned and looked at me. I didn't mean to look back, but I did. Maybe it was because I had seen his picture on the news, etc, but it was as if I recognized him. What's worse, it was as if he recognized me. It seemed like he stared at me forever, and he did, until the guy behind me stood up.

Post Script: About 30 people from my group will go on to the next step filling out a 22 page questionaire and being "voire dired" as Uncle Vinny would say. They are expecting to have 3,000 prospective jurors come through the doors to pick 120 who will be willing to serve then go from there. I will not be one of them. Is it possible to be glad and sad? In other news, I will be available for our next family reunion.

That's it, I've had it!

I've met John McCain. I don't like him (although he has always liked pretty women around him...hence his VP choice). Obama is younger than me for heaven's sake and has "run" absolutely nothing. John Edwards -- well I won't go there. "Billary" got beat and Mitt Romney is a flip flopper (I mean how can you change your mind on abortion), he's too stiff and acts like he is always on stage. So, I've decided to run. Please go here to help from the bottom up. I'm the perfect A.S.S. candidate. http://www.inews3.com/play.php?first=Jeff&last=Arnett

She's home

So after 5 long weeks, Pam arrived early this morning at 1:30am. I stayed up for her, which was no problem, because I haven't been able to sleep at night anyway. Five weeks, what was she thinking? I woke up this morning with someone next to me. At first, I was startled and got a little scared, but then I realized I have a wife and her name is Pam. She is really tan and really tired. It seems as though the job wasn't as easy as she thought. Although, she want's me and Chad to go with her next year and work there. I said we'll have to wait and see. Since my soulmate left, I decided to grow a soulpatch to compensate. She took one look.....I'm shaving it tomorrow. She also bought me several Hawaiian shirts. I'm going to wear one to church with a tie.

Needless to say, I am extremely glad she is home and so is Duffy. I'm posting some photos of the mystery person I woke up to this morning and a couple of Duffy when he first saw Pam again. He put his paws on her and wouldn't let her move. Seriously, he wouldn't move an inch. He just kept his paws on her. She tried to get up and he would have none of it. I let him in this morning also and he did the same thing to her in bed. He wouldn't let her move. I'm going to try that same thing next year when she wants to go to Hawaii again.

In other news, our Arnett family geneologist, Wayne, discovered that we do not have an ancestor from Germany. It seems that the acronym G.BT. was mistaken for GER. She's from Ireland. It still doesn't explain the behavior of some of you.

Syd and Cameron have become quite the buddies. Not sure how much I like it. They gang up on me and call me "Unkie" to make fun of me. I do admit, though, that Syd is fast becoming my favorite niece. She does my dishes and get's me Dr. Pepper from QT. What more could an "Unkie" ask for?

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New photos of family members

HB and Penee, Syd and Lex and Canyon Rosie are down from Utah to visit Miley. We had a taco night with Cliff's family and some other friends. I received a CD with photos of Howard and Ethel from Candy which I'll be using later to compile our Cibola/Blythe history DVD. Also Penee brought some photos for Chea of Cliff's family that she has taken over the years. I'm supposed to give them to Chea, and I will eventually, but I decided to post them here and get a "scoop" on everyone else. Besides, my wife is in one of them, and man is she "hot".

A German ancestor

I know most of you are not as interested in Germany as much as I am, but you might want to know that in adddition to having A.S.S., you also have an ancestor from Germany. Our Arnett (Arnet, Arnot, Arnott, Arnette) roots have not been "rooted" out yet, but we do have some Gale family history that takes us to Germany. It seems as though, Henry Gale's wife (Sarah Gale), whom he married in or around Sydney, Australia is a daughter of one Elizabeth Mc Audra who was born in Shoudey, Germany. She married Tom Wills and they moved to Sydney. So there you have it. We are part German. Come to think of it, several of you look German and several of you act German. Here is the actual geneology information on Elizabeth. I've tried to find Shoudey, Germany, but it seems it presently doesn't exist. What if it was in Elder Arnett's mission? Huh...........

Elizabeth Mc Audra, ABT 1798 - Shoudey, Germany
Individual Note: Spelling varies in Gale Book from McAudry (p. 17) to McAudra (p. 7).Merle O'Shannasy spelled it McAndrew.

Birthday news from Germany

Today is Elder Chad Arnett's birthday. Pam sent him a package that we hope he gets on time. Also she sent a cake mix to the sisters in his district, hoping they would bake him a cake today. Good thing it's his P-day today. The good news about him turning 20 in Germany is that he'll be home for his 21st birthday. (Blogger's note: He entered the MTC about a month before he was 19). The photos are of him and another Elder sitting on top of a German U-boat propeller, the other one is him Dancing to Saturday Night Fever ( I guess) and the bottom one of him and a member young man celebrating (too soon, I might add) the German success in the Euro Cup.

A Horse is a Horse, of course

Thanks to James Payne by way of Keith Mortensen I was emailed this screened photo of Grandpa Howard on top of Masher. This horse was the real deal. Howard was offered a lot of money many times for Masher. This quarter horse was the best cutting horse he ever had. I believe Masher was the out of a line of horses that all came from Babe, the original quarter horse Grandpa groomed in Cibola. Uncle Cliff will know for sure. So, for any of you that are interested, see if you can name all of Grandpa's horses from the line of BABE.

It's a dog's life!

So Pam is finally home and she has been swimming a lot. She does some work for the MARC center in Mesa and helps with a teenager in our neigborhood. He and his brother have been coming over to swim and play with Duffy. While Pam was laying on the raft the other day, Duffy decided that it looked fun, so he jumped in and swam to her and wanted on. Now he has decided the raft is his. Pam, thought it would make a great photograph to put the hat on him. He seemed to like it. Too bad he can't have chocolate bon bons.

Things that really tick me off!!!!!

Cell phones that don't work. Cell phones that work crappy. Cell phones that drop calls. Cell phones that I don't know how to work. People who know how to text message. People who text message. People who text message all the time. People who text message me expecting a reply back. People who have cell phones only for emergencies and have different numbers that they use on trips. People who don't bring their chargers on trips. People who call me on while on trips with numbers that are only good on those trips. People who I try to call on the numbers they give me while on their trips, but I can't call because those numbers don't work after their trips. People who don't answer their cell phones while at the movies. Note: If you have a cell phone, answer it at all times. You're not supposed to answer your home phone ever. That's why you have a home phone to throw bill collectors and solicitors off and sometimes ward members.

There are a lot more things that tick me off, but these are the ones that are presently most annoying. In other words, Eloise, call you Uncle.

Here are some photos of Elder Arnett at his 1 year burning celebration.

Not changing it!

In light of recent posts and comments from some members of the Arnett blogging community, I hereby declare that my middle name is Lee and I am not changing it. I recommend it highly to each and every member of the family if they ever want to change their middle name. Goodnight and Good Luck!

Better photographers than me

I'm posting some photos of our recent gathering at my house. Unfortunately, none of the photos are mine. I found a Sony digital camera with a Carl Zeiss lens on it at a thrift store for $20. I was going to sell it, but Cameron was interested. So I sold it as is to him for $20. Big mistake. His camera takes great photos. Here are some of them. Also, I've included a photo that was published on the cover of the latest edition of Phoenix magazine taken by your cousin Mitch Arnett (Wayne's son). It's of Havasupi Falls. He also takes better photos than me. That makes three, Chea, Cameron and Mitch. I think I'll stick to music.

NTSB report Sept. 17, 1964 Photo of Plane type

NTSB Identification: Unknown14 CFR Part 91 General Aviation Event occurred Thursday, September 17, 1964 in CIBOLA, AZAircraft: BEECHCRAFT K35, registration: N348B
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FILE DATE LOCATION AIRCRAFT DATA INJURIES FLIGHT PILOT DATA F S M/N PURPOSE----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2-0750 64/9/17 CIBOLA ARIZ BEECHCRAFT K35 CR- 0 1 0 NONCOMMERCIAL PRIVATE, AGE 47, 355 TIME - 1245 N348B PX- 2 1 0 BUSINESS TOTAL HOURS, 96 IN TYPE, DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL OT- 0 0 0 NOT INSTRUMENT RATED. NAME OF AIRPORT - ARNETT STRIP TYPE OF ACCIDENT PHASE OF OPERATION STALL: MUSH TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB PROBABLE CAUSE(S) PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED FACTOR(S) PILOT IN COMMAND - PREMATURE LIFT-OFF FIRE AFTER IMPACT

Graduation Speeches and Moon over Cibola

Today marked an incredible milestone in my life. Actually, this past week was one of the most eventful filled times I can remember. If I can be permitted to review the events -- wait it's my blog and if you don't like it go somewhere else. If it doesn't turn out good, I might go somewhere else, too.

Backtracking from today on back, here's what happened. My wife "the facilitator of happiness'', gave the faculty speech today at the Desert Ridge Junior High Promotion Ceremony. She has been as nervous about this as anything she has ever done. Many of you know, she really can't pray in public, let alone speak in public, due to her soft heart and tendency to become emotional. There have been many times during family prayer she would speak so softly that Chad and I couldn't hear her. We would inch closer and closer while she whispered and cried softer and softer. At length, both Chad and I would have our ears right next to her mouth waiting to hear an Amen. We have become used to it and have had some fun with it over the years. But, she is terrified to speak in public, yet she married a man with A.S.S. and has a son with it also. Remember, this is also a woman who cries at Supermarket Grand Openings.

Needless, to say, giving the speech was tramatic for her. Her sister, Donna, and I went to hear it and we both concur it was incredible. She was animated, charming, disarming and the speech was perfect. No longer will I worry about her shyness. It was as if she found some deep, dark A.S.S. to draw upon.

That's my Pammie!

Backtracking further to earlier in the week, we ventured the 112 degree heat back to the homeland of Blythe and Cibola. It was perfect weather for the trip. It would be easy to tell the kids about the heat, but they got to experience it firsthand. Here are some plans on what to do with the photos and stories told. No, Heidi, I'm not yelling. Lacy has set up a new blog where we will post some photos and life history excerpts, etc. It will tell the story for our next generation Arnett's of our Cibola experience. In addition, there will be a DVD movie made through a collaboration of several individuals with interviews, snippets of the trip we took and an actual script. It won't be of Baby Boomerang quality, but it will be an appropriate multi-media history of the Howard and Ethel Arnett family. It will be called, " A hat and a rose". That's all I can say for now. This will be for our family only, not to leave others out, but some of the jokes and humor may be esoteric in nature. I have asked for the help of Chea, Lacy, Ryan, Cameron (I'm asking now), Jessica, Candy and Kensie (I'm asking now). It will include an all original musical score based on our experiences then and now and feature some familiar voices. Each family member will be included (somewhat like the James Gale book, but better) and there will be recent photos of entire families. It really should be done and needs to be done. We have the resources and skills necessary to do this, so we will.

So, now I backtrack once again to Cameron's ordination. It was a great experience not only for him, but for us all. I know Cameron appreciates all who could attend. I know this sounds corny and maybe even irreverent, but I found myself looking around to see if just maybe I was in tune enough to see some grandparents there. I didn't and I wasn't, but I felt as though I should look. It was that kind of spirit that was there. Cameron, I know you don't read these blogs, but you have come along way and set a good example for others in our family. Way to go, Sobrino.

So, backtracking even further, all of this was looked over upon by a full moon. Thanks DevHoyo for showing me how to turn off my flash.

Eating Crow, Looking up at Snakes!

It appears as though I owe an apology to my nieces, Dana Joy and Lacy Lee (that's right Lee) named after me. I hereby declare to the world that I was wrong and am humbled by their recently running and completing the Ogden Marathon. I, Jeffrey Lee Arnett, born in New Mexico and raised in Blythe, California do hereby admit that they are women of valor. I didn't think they could do it. I didn't think they should do it. I didn't know why anyone would want to do it, but they did it and I with pride now give them full credit for their accomplishment and own up to my stupidity. I feel so low that I have to look up to see the belly of a rattlesnake. They are my heros, winners in life and winners in my heart.

Two college scholarships!

It appears as though I won't be the only college scholarshipped athlete in the family anymore. The attached letter says it all.

Cibola update!

Okay here's the deal. Cameron is going to be ordained on the evening of the 19th at my house. All are invited, however, if you can't make that event take it up with Cameron. I suggest his immediate family make it, like his mom, dad, etc. Cousin Wendy and Colby have graciously offered the use of their house for those coming from out of town. Bedding will be scarce so you might want to bring a sleeping bag, etc. It will be hot here so maybe just a sheet...jk. I learned that term from someone text messaging me. Anyway, my pool is available to all that need it except on Sundays. A bath, however, is acceptable on Sundays. Tuesday, the 20th of May, we are planning to convoy via I-10 to Blythe where we will then head to the home of Malcom and Dondra which is by the old Union Feed Yards. They have graciously offered their home for us to meet at, eat some lunch that we will have bought on Lovekin Ave. and then consume. We will then have a short instructional meeting to detail our trip to Cibola. It's only about a 20 minute drive from there, but we will be stopping along the way for photo opportunities like the Colorado River Feed Yards, the bridge, Baseline road, the Cibola Natl. Wildlife Refuge bldg. to view a map of our old place, the Bishop's place, and then the corral and shack, the bulldozer, Williams old place, the canal, the newer bridge, the fish and game place, the runway and crash site and if possible the old river. Of course, will be also be seeing our old house on 7th street. Chea will be taking professional pictures, but all are encouraged to take photos, etc. She has asked that we be at the site later for some better evening light opportunities.

Now, for those of you that would like to leave earlier on the 20th to see other things in Blythe, etc. I will provide a map to Malcolm's house to meet. I know HB and Larry and Kathleen will want to see some other things. Remember, Aunt Kathleen has as many or more memories than the rest of us do in Blythe and Dana should remember some things also. She was so cute and loved to be tickled in Blythe. Kathy, let me know if you would like to go into your old house. I can call the family that lives there and see about it. I might want to go earlier myself to do some fishing, but only if someone would like me to be their fishing guide. Let me know.

Candy, please post of send my any photos you have of Cibola. I know you sent my one with mom being pregnant by the canal. I am putting together a booklet with photos and descriptions to show our history in Cibola.

The most important pieces to this puzzle will be to hear the stories told by Cliff, HB, Larry me and Candy. They will all differ and will all be self-centered, because we all have ASS. But, if we can we will piece together a history of our life in Cibola. It will be hot, very hot for those of you from Utah. Come prepared with air conditioning in your cars and water. It should be fun, if not fun, it will be hot for sure. But, that is really the essence of what Cibola is all about.

Photo test

HB and Cliff received some photos from cousin Rex that we have never seen before. After some harassment, I have enticed HB to email them to me. I wanted him to post them on his ASS site, but it appears he is too busy trying to pry the mattress of his back. The first photos he sent were too large and crashed all my computers, then he resent some that look like this one. If only he could scan them in just a little larger then the resolution would be better, but then I'm not a paying subscriber to anything, so I'll take what I get. This photo is of three very unique fellows. See if you can identify who is who. Also, if anyone has any photos of Cibola or of Blythe while we were growing up, please email them to me or post them on your blog like Lance has done in the past. I'm compiling a small booklet of guide for all the young Arnett's so they can get a real feel for the Cibola experience.

No photoshop, not my fish and the trip is on!

Chea said I photoshopped the guitar photos. I'm posting more to show I really do burn guitars. Please note Pam's toes in the right photo to prove authenticity. I can have a DNA test done to show they are hers.

Also, my own wife thought -- at first, anyway -- the photo of the guy and the catfish was me. So, did Lacy. I'm thinking of posting photos of what I think all my relatives look like and let's just say they won't be symetrical. Also, we are planning the Cibola day trip on the 20th of May. It's tentatively written in sand, not stone, but it looks good for that day. We'll will know more after Cameron has his last interview this week. Chea is on to take photos of the day. I booked it on her photo blog which is what one must do to get her valuable time. We will be having t-shirts printed or maybe badges that say, " Marathon? big deal. I survived Cibola!"...or something like that. To arrange vehicles I might need some sort of head count. Please respond accordingly.

Land O' Fish, Burning Guitars

Chea Lamb and Ryan Brizscssissxxsz (how do you spell it?) are true inpsirations to me. I have decided to take up amateur photography. I used to be a fisherman -- see photo-- (expanation to come), but now I'm a capturer of images, especially with spectacular light. The photos below I call "bright guitars burning in a fireplace because they wouldn't fit in a trash can". Please note the unusual hue and the composition of the subject matter. I worked very hard to capture just the right essence of firelight along with moonlight to entwine the majesty of guitars burning at their pinnacle. I might submit this to the Church News or to Guitar Player Magazine or to the Palo Verde Valley Times and hope that it provides inspiration to those that need a fire lit under them.
Speaking of the Palo Verde Valley Times, as you know, I read it regularly on line. In a past issue the photo of the gentleman holding the catfish was shown. It seems this fellow (who looks a lot like me, at least his stomach does) caught this catfish recently in the Colorado River not far from our old stomping grounds. It's a whopping 75lbs.
What does this have to do with anything you ask? During the middle of May (around the time Cameron receives the Priesthood), we will be on a day excursion to Cibola to discuss our memories and make new ones. Chea of Chea Lamb photography has agreed to "photolize" the event. All are invited to attend. In fact, there is a good chance I will be putting up the bronze plaque (how do you spell it?) dedicated to Howard Arnett overlooking the Arnett Canal. Why is this so important you ask? Because, it is that's why. Cliff just got some never seen photos from Cousin Rex of the building of the ranch and canal and shed, etc.
While I know you hope I would do the honors of being the photog for the day, I have given the assignment to Chea and I hope the offerings of my burning guitars may light a fire in her to accept the honor.

In other news, Chad got transferred to the Kiel Institute Outreach Center on the Baltic Sea. He now teaches English and Institute. (it seems that Elder Perry started these Institute Outreach Centers when he was in Germany on assignment for a year). As Chad says, woot, woot! I would post his letter, but it seems you have all read it anyway because Pam forwards them to you.

Ralph Machata, Lee West, Fiddler and Potter

These are names from the past that deserve some historical mention. Since reviewing the life of Uncle Charles, I've decided someone should document a history of our time in Cibola. Since I am the youngest male child and my memories are the youngest I can recount some things. However, my time in Cibola was also the shortest. HB, Cliff and Larry will have more to tell than I will. I am hereby requesting that my siblings, including my dear sister, to tell me about their memories of Cibola and the characters that lived there. I am also requesting that some famous photographer in Arizona and a famous illustrator in Utah get involved to help put together these memories. In later blogs I will request specific memories about certain times, places and individuals and events. Oh, did we have events. Crazy things happened in Cibola.

In other news, I've posted a few photos of Chad and his latest email.

Parentals!

Well I sure did enjoy this week. A lot of cool things happened and I had a few great learning experiences.I loved Zone Conference. It always seems to give me that needed boost!After Zone Conference I went with Elder Michael for a Zone Leader Tausch. That was fun and interesting. We went down to Harburg to help the Elders there with a move. For their neighbor's daughter or something like that. It was good and the people were extremely nice. It went a bit later than we expected.The next day we hit the road pretty early. We had to catch up with a member to let him into the old Sisters Apartment. After that we met up with all the other missionaries at the Wartenau to get ready for an Ausstellung. That was a blast. We went down to the Uni and did it there. It was amazing. JAE's are where its at! I learned alot about how to get contact information, something I have personnally been struggling with for a while now. I just haven't been able to seal the deal. But at the Ausstellung I started to use techniques that I've learned from other missionaries and started to see success! It was an awesome experience. I went a bit crazy though. We had a bet that anyone who got a baptismal date on the street got this jougart chocolate thing. I wanted it. Bad. I hadn't eaten and well ya...the pictures and the little movie I'm sending should explain it all...When we tausched back, the week was all about service and member appointments. We went and helped a member rennovate a room in their house and had a great talk about missionary work and how members can help. It was there that I realized how service could help the work in this area. We need to get the name of the Church out but to be known for good, and not for the things that we seem to be known as. We need people to see that we are just nice people who live what we believe. So that is what we taught at the member appointments for the spiritual thought. Its great cause there is a section on that in PMG in chapter 9. It ties in perfectly.On saturday our appointment fell out and we got a call by the JAE's who asked for our help in cooking for the activity instead of actually going around for the activity. So we did. It was a good idea cause a less active member came along and she brought a friend to church the next day. At this activity I realized how much I love the youth of my ward. They are such great kids, President. They all want to do good and help us. Speaking of my ward here in Lauenburg, things are going a lot better. The member-missionary relations are improving a whole lot. I don't know the exact reason why it was so strained in the first place, but now I can honestly say that I love this ward and the people in it. The excitement for missionary work is also increasing. I think the problem was that missionary work the way we picture it as missionaries isn't the kind of missionary work that they are willing to do right now. So we've been switching the focus a little and now they are starting to love the idea of serving. Also the boys of the ward love going out with us for 'mini missions'. The ward is also now willing to go on joint teaches and starting to realize that they need to open the doors and their hearts a bit more to welcome the people who are looking into what we have. That was and is still a bit of a problem with this ward. They aren't the most friendly to strangers. But that is changing.Our investigators are all outta town this week. One in London and the other in Berlin. So we are just trying to get some new contacts and get something new going here. But this week we have a lot of member appointments because of the school break. Now the families of the ward have a lot more time than during the school week.
You know, I used to have a hard time with this area. It was a big change from what I was used to down in Essen. But I am so grateful for what I have learned here. I don't think I could have learned it anywhere else. I love the people here. And even though the work is harder that what I've previously experienced, it has all been for my good. The light of morning always follows the midnight hours. I see how my skills have enhanced, my love has grown, and my understanding has expanded.
But enough of that sentimental crap.

How are you two? I really want to see the Uncle Charles video. Really really bad. Alas, I dont know how.

Mother, I did get the easter package and sent you a letter. Dad included in mentioned letter is the lyrics to the humpty dumpty song inspired from your falling through an attic.

Mother, what the heck are you doing being sick? Thats my job! Yes, I am ein bisschen erkältet, but its ok. I can't really sleep at night though. For two reasons. My compaion Elder Bidstrup talks, or screams rather, in his sleep, and two I can't breath cause my nose gets all stuffed up when I lay down. But thats ok. I think its because its warming up a little. But just a little. A very little. But thats ok. The longer I suffer in the cold the hotter my wife will be. Thats what a Member of the Area Presidency told us. Elder Wondra. So I'm making myself suffer as much as possible. Persecution Points. Its a Gospel Truth. Bruce R. McControversy wrote about it in Mormon Doctorine. Ok so not really. But he should have.

So I think I told you this, but on April 17th we are having a Mission Conference. All 130 some odd missionaries are going to be up in Hamburg to hear Elder Holland speak to us. I'm pretty excited but kinda hope I dont get transferred. They are the 15th of April and, even though I never thought I'd say it, I don't want to go. But I'll let you know the verdict in 2 weeks.

Other than being sick I'm doing well. Im not really all that sick so dont worry mom. And as far as glasses go, I'm fine. I can wait til I get home to use or get them. I dont really want them to be honest. I dont need them to read, I can see clearly close up. But one day I stole Elder Higham's glasses and put them on and saw detail in the distance. It's like you said dad, I didn't know that man was supposed to see that much detail. We're supposed to see things in the distance?! Who knew!

Well my pictures and video cant be read by this computer. I think everything is corrupted on my card. I hate public computers. But the pictures are still there so dont have a heart attack. I'm sorry that everthings being dumb! I'll try one more time but if not, oh well!

Yea! It works! So the pictures of me talking to cars, is me talking to cars. The winter wonderland is me in a winter wonderland. Me in a red shirt was me on a tausch and Elder Blackham gave it to me to wear. I didnt realize what kinda a shirt it was until it was on and I had worn it for 5 minutes. I grabbed the knife and demanded a new shirt. I hope you enjoy!

I love and miss you!

Elder ChArnett

Baby Boomerang, the movie

Tonight we viewed the documentary called "Baby Boomerang". It's a play on words on several levels which I will discuss in my movie review below. I must admit to expecting a longer wedding type video that he is so famous for. I also envisioned it being something like Ken Burns WWII documentary. It was neither. It was magnificient. It lasted 55 minutes and worth every penny of the price of admission, which was free, or course. The theatre was jam packed. We had to pull up our arm rests to squeeze everyone in. I believe many partrons including AJ sat in the cracks in the seats. The Howard Arnett family was well represented by AJ's family, Cliff's family, my family, Cameron and Chea's family and rightly so as Howard was mentioned in thinly veiled reference at one point in the documentary. I know the documentary was warmly accepted as it received a well deserved standing ovation at the end. I asked some people who were there that didn't even know Uncle Charles well what they thought of it. They were visibly moved and entertained. My guess is that close to half in attendance we not relatives. My how word spreads when something is free and its a Monday night.

Since most of you will not get to see it unless it becomes successful on the documentary of history channel circuit, I will give you a brief rundown and my thoughts.

This movie was 14 years in the making. Mark explains at the beginning of the documentary why it took so long to makeand why he never wanted his dad to see it which becomes evident as the film progresses. At first, the movie is really not so much about Uncle Charles as it about Mark. On the surface that sounds shallow, but once the documentary began to unfold we understood why. It did focus on Uncle Charles -- who he was and the life he lived, but it also focused on a son (baby boomer-ang) coming to the realization of how great his father really was. That's I'll I can say without giving away more, but this was a deep, well thought out documentary. It was a love story, it was a tragic hero's story, a spiritual story, a missionary story and much more. It was funny throughout, bordering on hilarious at times. It was heart wrenching evoking many tears. It was patriotic. It was historical in that it detailed a time of great sacrifice, specifically by Uncle Charles, but also by others of his crew that were featured in the film. But, it was also "historic" in that it revealed a transformation in Mark (the same one we all go through or must go through) when he realized what kind of father he had and how he has come to appreciate it. There were many layers of emotion that all in attendance felt. I hope this story continues on and Mark is successful in showing it at film festivals.

I took some photos of me and Pam (actually Larry did) getting ready to go to the funeral and later and at the movie theatre. I'm no Chea, but here are some photos anyway.

My mission!

Through the magic of the internet I have been able to re-live some of my mission experiences. I wasn't much of a photographer on my mission, but thanks to modern technology I can access stuff that I actually saw and experienced.

I spent 18 months of my mission in and around the city of Adelaide, South Australia. Adelaide was a large city with many parks and hills, etc. But, for a little town guy this was trying at times because I didn't get to see much of the countryside in the big city. For my last 6 months, I was transferred to West Australia -- namely the city of Perth. While Perth was also a big city it was most scenic. In fact, it is one the most beautiful places I've ever been. I was fortunate to be able to travel most of West Australia my last several months of my mission. While traveling, I saw some incredible things and learned much more. The above photos all have particular meaning to me which I will try to explain.

The top photo on the left is a giant forest just outside of two towns called Bunbury and Collie, south of Perth. These were and are the largest trees I have ever seen. No, I've never been to the Redwood forest, but these trees are so big you can see how they have built a walkway up on top. This is just inland from the Indian Ocean. I spent one of the worst nights of my life in Collie as I had to sleep on a hardwood floor with out a blanket, pillow or anything. I used my suit coat to cover me for warmth. There was no warmth or sleep that night. The next photo is of Albany, West Australia. It is said it is the most distant place you can travel from Arizona. If you go any further, you are coming home. Albany, during the 1970's, was a large whaling town. It had one of the world's last whaling stations. I have never smelled anything so "deathening" (that's my word for it). It smelled horrible. The men used sharp knifes on the end of poles (think hockey sticks) to cut away the blubber. Everything went into a hole in the center of the whaling ramp which was then boiled and boiled some more. I think this whole thing was stopped (meaning outlawed) in the late 70's. Next are some photos of the Albany cliffs. These cliffs were at least 300 feet high. During the winter they had what they called "Killer King Waves" come in from the Anarctic Ocean. Because there are no islands or land to speak of between Anarctica and the coastline they would grow to 100 feet or more during the stormy season. At times, with a telescope, you could see icebergs in the distance. Next of note is place called the Gap. The two side by side photos show what happens when king waves hit the Gap. This Gap was created over time by waves crashing against the coastline. A wave hits the front of the Gap then shoots hundreds of feet toward the back, then shoots hundreds of feet straight up. There is a cage overlooking the side of the Gap that visitors stand in. Needless to say when I visited the Gap, I got soaked. My point of all this is that almost yearly, some careless, drunken tourist (or local) would jump the locked gate to the park surrounding the Gap and stand in the cage when the waves were too dangerous. I might add they were never seen again as they were carried out to sea. I have used this analogy several times while teaching Sunday School to point out that we must draw a line what we will or won't do. Those that cross the line venture into dangerous territory. I know that took a long time to make my point but the photos are awesome and I was there. Finally, the last photo is of Narrogin, West Australia. I accompanied my Mission President to this little town to dedicate it for the preaching of the gospel. It never had missionaries until we went there and dedicated it. I'm not sure what real success I had on my mission or what good can be said my time and service there, but there is a branch in Narrogin and of all things a Geneology library.