Projects

What ever happened to working hard? I don't mean hard physical labor; I mean taking pride in the work we do, being willing to go the extra mile, and understanding that no gain is ever made without effort. It seems that everywhere I look, people increasingly have a sour attitude about being asked to do anything beyond the bare minimum. Everybody wants a paycheck, but nobody wants to work hard. My wife is the anthesis to the work avoider. She delights in a project. She loves to plan and ponder and design a project almost more than doing it. She loves to ponder and solve a problem. She teaches that skill and that love to ponder and work to our children. She is the ultimate hard worker.


If you know Rindy you know she loves the power of the paintbrush. As such she and Mackie have attacked a refresh of Mackie's room. New paint, new linens, new pillows and a new look indeed.

Hard work is the only thing I know of that can make you thinner, richer, more knowledgable, and happier without costing you a penny. Find a project to do. So let's not be afraid to put in a few extra hours, go the extra mile, go out of our way to solve a problem for someone else, push a little harder in our workouts, or do more than we're asked.  Success will naturally follow!

Christmas leftovers

Ever find those holiday photos that you forgot to post.
Happens to me all the time.

Here a a couple from this past season:

She loves her Grandma

Larry, Rindy's brother visited from England

Brigham and Evan delighted us with their visit (note upside down tree)

Mackie's favorite present from Brigham
(you'll have to ask her)

the big kids

More christmas leftovers

So Rindy is competitive with my Dad and Honor in finding the most obnoxiously fun Christmas presents for the masses. Though I think screaming howling monkeys will always be my favorite; these nurf, air propelled rocket launchers are a close second. They were the Christmas eve 'actively engaged' present that all from any age could enjoy and play with - Merry Christmas to all and to all a fun night. The one was an attempt to capture Dean in his humble attempt to get grandmother and the other children of a greater age equally entertained.

Favorite quote of the day

Our minutes together are longer than your minutes


Anna explaining the joy of one night with the one you love in Joyeux Noel.

a movie that is at once a tender love story, a tragic story of the waste of war, and an uplifting christmas story

Let's not forget those church activities

The storm was Friday and by Saturday afternoon the roads made for easy driving so our Stake AP/YW activity went forward as planned. It was a late afternoon into early evening activity : Pasta with the president for all 12 -18 yr old.

We started with dividing the 130+ youth into four large groups and rotated through: Balloon Basketball, Ping Pong Football, Giants, Dwarfs and Elves along with Human Sculpture. Great interaction and fun for all. Next hour was a break for a pasta dinner; followed by another hour of the stake presidency introducing the 2012 Mutual Theme Arise and Shine Forth.

Staying the course the Church has assembled terrific videos which I recommend. The song below is a catchy tune I enjoy.



Sunday night was the 100th Anniversary of Seminary. Rindy, Mac and I went and in candor it started fairly flat. Elder Packer spoke and was seemingly waxing nostalgic of the fun facts and  tantalizing tidbits regarding the early seminary classes;  then he turned a doctrinal corner and it was a fantastic meeting

Some of  what he said in my haiku, cryptic notes:

• The youth are growing up in hostile, enemy territory if you can discover how the holy ghost operates in your life then can operate safely in enemy territory
• Will not have evil befall without being warned by the Spirit before hand
• Don't go where can't hear the Spirit
• Pray - you are never alone  - you can make sure you are never alone by having the spirit
• Be clean - 
• Avoid defacing body, don't be embarrassed by those who would tease you regarding virtue
• Gender is sacred, don't act on temptations - always have a choice - have agency- deny self of all ungodliness   ; key word is discipline - root in disciple of Christ; not too late repent and use atonement, repent again until get control - understand the atonement
•  Resist temptation by asserting agency
• And he will remember your sins no more - Isaiah 1:18
• Don't squander years of seminary instruction
• Entitlement isn't there you must pay the price - there is a price for happiness - obedience
• Doesn't matter what you do what matters what you will be
• Do not fear the future
• Spirit will guide you

We live in a wonderful time. Grateful to have the opportunities we do and the fullness of the gospel and the spirit to guide.

SnowStorm

Chicago is certainly proud of its weather and tremendous storms. I simply think none of them have lived any further north in their lives to capture a larger perspective of what a big storm really is. All week we had the hype concerning the big storm brewing and destined to drive us to a halt. The day of the storm people were leaving work before they even arrived in anticipation of the 'big event'

The lot started thinning as soon as the snow started falling; and continued as the day wound on. By 4pm you can see what was left. I needed to stay late to get a project done; and by the time i left there was alot of snow but easy driving. made it home in normal drive time.

By the time we got around to shovelling they had plowed our streets dried and the 6-8 inches were fluffy and light; so me with the snow blower on the driveway and my partner with the shovel on the walk made an end to it in no time. Snow Storm - pffft.

Side note , though no photo. I had forgotten how bright the white snow makes the night. totally enjoy that.

WWDTM

Well, if I have to define the initials for you- well, that really is a shame,but for the sake of clarity I will: Wait Wait Don't Tell Me. A weekly current affairs radio game show on NPR hosted in the Chase Theatre in downtown Chicago. Most Saturdays we either take a break from chores, or during a late breakfast, or driving to an activity will turn the radio dial and listen in as they entertainingly present a recap of the weekly news.

Rindy, ever the good present buyer, bought tickets for a live recording. I like the show, so maybe I am predisposed in a positive way but truth be told it was a great present. It was a snowy evening, but a relatively painless drive downtown , straight in and right on time. The crowd was younger than we anticipated but looked NPRish.

Paula Poundstone was one of the three guest panelist and she is hilarious. The show clipped along and I was surprised that they recorded as much content as they did to get one hour. It flew by, we had a great time, and chuckled again on the Saturday the played it. The program date it aired was January 14, 2012. If you listen closely you can hear my gentile chortling in the background.

Tru Confessions

I have long been both a Disney Channel fan and a Shia LeBeouf fan; and the combination of them- well works well for me. In 2002 when the movie, Tru Confessions came out on Disney TV I remember it moving me to tears and reflecting deeply on our Evan and our Evan experience. Not being able to sleep tonight , I turned on the Disney channel to see what was on - and voila Tru Confessions. I quickly wrapped myself up in a blanket, moved to the basement couch and TV and stayed up and was moved once more. Just finished but thought I should post Among the most moving scenes is as follows:

Eddie: It’s not fair.
Tru: What’s not fair, Eddie?
Eddie: I wanna be done being different. I wanna be the same as everybody else.
Tru: Everybody’s different, Eddie. Not just you.
Eddie: No, no, Tru, I’m real different! 
Tru: You know what, you’re right. You are different. But if you were just the same as everybody else, you wouldn’t get all that special help in school, you wouldn’t be allowed to rollerblade in the house and you wouldn’t be the amazing brother that I love. 


If you want the essence of the show watch





I'm grateful for our Evan
grateful for his incredible mother,
grateful for his loving siblings,
grateful for Stuart J and all the other Stu's of Evan's life
grateful for the blessing the journey has been.

A Complex Man

Just because I’m a married man
Doesn’t mean I don’t need love
Just because I have calloused hands
Doesn’t mean I don’t wear gloves

Just because I think a lot 
Doesn’t mean I don’t say prayers
Just because it doesn’t grow on top
Doesn’t mean I don’t have hair

Just because I’m always watching sports
Doesn’t mean I don’t like to go to a ballet
Just because I don’t talk too much
Doesn’t mean I’ve got nothing much to say

Just because I have two left feet
Doesn’t mean I hate to dance
Just because I don’t argue much
Doesn’t mean I can’t take a stance

Just because I didn’t call today
Doesn’t mean I will be late
Just because I rarely take a chance
Doesn’t mean I can’t tempt fate

Just because I wear blue jeans
Doesn’t mean I don’t own a business suit
Just because I live modestly
Doesn’t mean I have no loot

Just because I write simple poems
Doesn’t mean I don’t like to read Voltaire
Just because I didn’t shed a tear
Doesn’t mean that I don’t care

Just because I may appear one way
Doesn’t mean that I’m that man
Get to know me just a little better
And you’ll see how complex I am

(I've adapted a borrowed poem slightly)

Some images from a few years ago

Merry Christmas 1968

I was looking through some old files and found an old photo instead.
It brought a quick smile and a warm heart.
Love the guy.

Develop your unique strengths

I appreciate the practical approach of dealing with not being Steve Jobs- an interesting article by Jody Turner


The business press loves to create mythic heroes of industry and we love it, too. To a point.

As much as we love a business visionary like, say, Steve Jobs--and we love him to pieces--we are not Steve Jobs, and never could be. Nor should we. All leaders have their own unique talents, which they will use in different ways to bring out the best in themselves and others. Here are 5 ways to discover your own strongest qualities and put them to work in business and in life.

1. Don’t compare yourself with others--but do approach people who inspire, and even intimidate, you.Are there people in your life who wow or even intimidate you? Are you jealous of them? Go up and introduce yourself, allow yourself to be a part of their lives, and even offer to contribute to their milieu if you are so inclined. If they have a quality you are charged by, perhaps you have not given yourself permission to explore and develop those sides of yourself? Consider aligning yourself with people you feel competitive toward--it's a new world and we have much to learn from each other.

2. Don’t concentrate on weaknesses, do concentrate on strengths.First, find out what your strengths are. Go online and take a Briggs Meyers test, an Enneagram test, or buy the Gallup Strengths Finder 2.0 book. There are even more robust ways to discover your unique talents, abilities, and ways of thinking by talking with a career coach. Or try them all and see what works. Self-understanding and self-support is key.

Working on one’s weaknesses only brings misery and self-doubt. Concentrating on your strengths brings a better sense of fulfillment and forward progress.

3. Eliminate your weaknesses by partnering with others.Albert Einstein was initially a failure who leaned heavily on his wife. Many now believe she ultimately helped him devise his famous equation. Let’s be honest: He was a dreamer with his head in the clouds (and thank goodness he was). He came to success in roundabout ways. His wife kept her head on straight and together they accomplished greatness. That is the value of having a partner and team, varieties of perspectives, talents, and skills to get the job done. How is your team?

Do you have someone’s back? Do they have yours? Are there complimentary skill sets involved? If you have people who believe in you, you can go far together. Whether it’s a mentor, employee, or co-worker, get their back and let them get yours. 

4. Use failure as motivation.Things aren’t always going to go your way, no matter how well you and your teams properly align with your goals. Sometimes we need a good kick to get us going. Sometimes we need the pain of failure to reset, revise, and reassess. Are you taking risks? Are you failing? If so, good going. Winston Churchill failed grandly more than once, and was famously cast to the political “wilderness” and then came roaring back to lead the British resistance. Steve Jobs was fired from the company he founded but through persistence ultimately came back to save it from extinction. Hillary Clinton failed to win the presidency but then became a powerful and respected Secretary of State. Each of them, in their own way, failed, learned from their mistakes, and most importantly, persisted in the face of failure. Phoenix rising is the way of the world today and we are in the midst of its widespread occurrence.

5. Now is a time of pop-up engagement, leadership, and success.Innovation demands the work of flexible teams who cooperate, co-lead, and co-create. Mr. Jobs was a hierarchical leader in a time of radical shift from singular creative to co-creative. Over time, he learned what he was best at and how to use his skills, talents, teams, and life lessons to contribute in the best way he knew how. As a hierarchical leader, he succeeded in providing the tools you and I now use in this co-creative environment. Who would have thought it possible? We believe he did, and that he did not do it alone. We also believe you can do that too--on your own terms, with your own teams, and in your own way. Jody Turner and co-author Jerry Ketel are currently working together, co-creating new business models and outcomes in concert with their creative clients

Capital One Fraud Protection Alert

"We recently noticed potentially suspicious activity on your VISA  account ending in xxxx, and need to confirm that you authorized all of these charges."


And so begins a recent email and voicemail both received by Capital One. At issue was the increasingly common -  point of purchase fraud . So where did they get our card number from - they didn't get our card from us just the number.  An article from MSNB Money last November  explains:


Crooks are targeting gas pumps across country in skimming attacks to steal customers' credit card and bank account information. The gas pump you use to fill up your car might look innocuous. But trouble could be lurking inside.
Credit card and debit card skimming scams

If you think high gas prices are a rip-off, just wait until you get your credit card bill or see your bank statement after falling victim to a gas pump that has been tampered with.

Investigators say it takes crooks less than a minute to install the equipment. They return after a time to retrieve the equipment or, in some cases, use wireless devices that transmit the data directly to them. Then they use the information to make counterfeit cards and run up purchases or empty bank accounts.

Here's how it works: Crooks attach an inexpensive device called a skimmer inside or onto a gas pump. The skimmer captures credit and debit card information every time customers swipe their cards. Sometimes a secondary PIN pad is installed to capture PIN numbers, or a tiny camera is attached to record video of customers punching in their PINs.

Identity theft laws

The solution, or way to avoid this particular scam is simple - go inside to pay and don't use pay at the pump.

Using your card while traveling can occasionally create false alarms with fraud monitoring service.Unless you're a frequent traveler or you called your credit card issuer beforehand to let them know where you were going, you could find your credit card declined when attempting those transactions.  Calling your credit card company in advance may allow them to place a travel advisory notice on your account, which will typically allow your card to be used without issue.

What will trigger a suspension of credit? That's a secret. Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover all use formulas and rules to rate the risk of a transaction being fraudulent, but will discuss them only in generalities to prevent countermeasures by the bad guys. What it boils down to -  they prevent fraud by looking for unusual card transactions and things that are outside of a cardholder's usual purchasing patterns. They "use models that perform up to 200 tests on a transaction to determine the risk and likelihood that a particular transaction is fraudulent. The tests compare to results of transactions that have proven to be fraudulent in the past and the models return a score from 0 to 99 to allow retailers to make an informed decision on whether to accept or decline the charge." (Yeah mathematicians) In this case the purchases were still in Illinois but not where we shop nor at the level we shop.

So lessons learned:

• be careful with that card
• pay inside where they have to swipe your card in front of you
• listen to your credit card company when they call - don't blow them off thinking their call is the scam (though it  could be and that's a separate blog.)

Every Day I'm Shuffling

Haven't posted a fun video for awhile - so its not sophisticated music. It does make me want to shuffle.

Great man - mediocre book. As the author states in her description of the book: "It is a homespun collection of the stories for which his life became known," Woodger wrote in the preface of the book. "It attempts to catch glimpses of his private life and, in so doing, make George Albert Smith a more personable figure." "Against Odds the Life of George Albert Smith" doesn't bring any particularly new insights to the subject, nor is the writing particularly compelling in form or style. The man being a prophet of God nonetheless is a compelling subject. I read with increased interest given we share a common ancestor - his Grand father and name sake George A. Smith also happens to be my Great - Great Grand Father.

From the book you would learn that 'George Albert, was beset throughout his life with frail health and at times debilitating propensity to nervous tension'; that he deeply loved his wife , and the Lord. He came across to me as even more of the prophetic nature of Howard W Hunter than Howard W Hunter. (HWH being one of my favorites) GASmith was a man who lived what he preached and he deeply preached kindness and love of all people.

He was first and foremost a good man. Part of that extended to how he preached the gospel:

"Many Church members recall that President Gordon B. Hinckley on occasion expressed the Church's attitude toward those of other faiths in this way: "We say to the people, in effect, you bring with you all the good that you have, and then let us see if we can add to it. That is the spirit of this work. That is the essence of our missionary service" (meeting in Nairobi, Kenya, Feb. 17, 1998). Fewer understand or realize that President George Albert Smith much earlier expressed the same sentiment."

One item that made me question how my father could share a heritage with him was his diet. " In his efforts to maintain a youthful energy while serving as the president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, President Smith kept a rigid dietary routine. He typically ate a light breakfast, consisting generally of prunes and a dish of steamed wheat with cream." That would not be a food of choice from my father's line.

George Albert was committed to Sons of American Revolution and the Boys Scouts of America. He was a doer on an individual basis, committed to making a difference one-by-one even when he was in a position to influence and direct thousands.

Today in priesthood we discussed George Albert's Personal creed. Interesting that he would commit it to writing; interesting that it was so outward facing, interesting that he was such a good man. His creed follows:
"I would be a friend to the friendless and find joy in ministering to the needs of the poor.

"I would visit the sick and afflicted and inspire in them a desire for faith to be healed.

"I would teach the truth to the understanding and blessing of mankind.

"I would seek out the erring one and try to win him back to a righteous and happy life.

"I would not seek to force people to live up to my ideals but rather love them into doing the thing that is right.

"I would live with the masses and help to solve their problems that their earth life may be happy.

"I would avoid the publicity of high positions and discourage the flattery of thoughtless friends.

"I would not knowingly wound the feelings of any, not even one who may have wronged me, but would seek to do him good and make him my friend.

"I would overcome the tendency to selfishness and jealousy and rejoice in the successes of all the children of my Heavenly Father.

"I would not be an enemy to any living soul.

"Knowing that the Redeemer of mankind has offered to the world the only plan that will fully develop us and make us really happy here and hereafter, I feel it not only a duty but also a blessed privilege to disseminate this truth."

George Albert Smith was more than just a remarkable man, he was a prophet of God with an incredible capacity to do good and love. Hallmarks which all of us should seek to emulate for 2012. Nonetheless if you want to read more about him I recommend the Ensign Article from this month more that this book.