Bucket List

Here is my bucket list of thing I want to do before I die.  These are not ranked according to their importance, and not in any particular order.

1.  Read 150 books in a calendar year
2.  Marry in the temple
3.  Travel to Hawaii
4.  Scuba dive
5.  Have triplets
6.  Graduate from college
7.  Travel to a foreign country
8.  Go to an MLB game
9.  Finish the Bible from cover to cover
10.  Write a book and have it published
11.  Write a letter to the editor in a newspaper
12.  Live in California
13.  Go on a senior couple mission
14.  Write a letter to a congressman
15.  Have at least 6 kids
16.  Visit my mission is Riverside, California, with my wife and kids
17.  Visit every temple in Utah
18.  Go skiing
19.  Go camping in the snow
20.  Visit Mexico
21.  Learn a foreign language
22.  Name a son Jack
23.  Play 18 holes of golf and finish with a score under 80
24.  Be able to run a mile
25.  Read the standard works in a year
26.  Cook a gourmet dinner when I propose to a girl
27.  Complete a recipe book
28.  Write my life's story
29.  Own a business
30.  Sleep for 24 hours straight
31.  Live to be 80 years old
32.  Go to a Piano Guys Concert
33.  Memorize 50 hymns
34.  Go home teaching 100% each month for a year
35.  Own a cabin

speech given by Alexander Stephenson

http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/alexanderstephenscornerstone.htm

This is the link to a speech given by Alexander Stephenson, the Vice-President of the Confederate States of America.  Obviously, the Confederate States lost the Civil War, but I came across it while looking for something to write about for an essay in English 1010.  In this speech he outlines what is different between the old United States Constitution and the new Confederate Constitution, and why the Confederate Constitution is better.

I think Stephenson makes some good points in his speech.  He points out the tariffs tend to help one section of the country or economy while hurting others.  The protective tariffs in place at the time of the Civil War were meant to protect small American factories.  British and French factories could manufacture the same goods for a cheaper price, so the government put a tax on imports to make them as expensive as American made items.  This helps manufactures, but drives up the price paid by the consumers.  I think that protective tariffs is a bad idea, because if someone can make the same quality of goods for less they will probably be able to sell more.

He also points out that the internal improvements that the country had made were great.  The railroads had expanded, canals were being dug.  But at the time this speech was given the US government under the constitution was giving financial aid to help with these improvements.  Again, this type of "help" benefited one part of the country or economy, while putting others at disadvantages.  Why should I help pay taxes that go to another state to build a railroad that in no way effects me?  Or my area?

Stephenson also states that under the Confederate Constitution the president would only be allowed to serve one six year term.  He says that this is required so that a current president is not constantly campaigning and trying to get reelected.

But this imposes a term limit on the president.  I am not sure if I agree with term limits because I think that if someone knows they aren't eligible for office again they might do some things that are wrong, immoral or damaging to the country.  If I don't have to please voters, why should I please them?

Stephenson argues that slavery is right, politically, morally and socially.  I do not believe this.  Obviously the civil war was fought over this, and the North won, freeing the slaves.  I believe everyone is create equal, that all men, regardless of race, deserve to be treated with respect.  He said, correctly I might add, that Jefferson and the other founders believe slavery to be wrong, but they didn't know how to deal with it.  They hoped, and it was the prevailing idea among the founders, that slavery would eventually just die and go away.

These are just some thoughts I had while reading through this.

The Piano Guys

Ever since my mission when I first heard of the Piano Guys I have loved their music.  The Piano Guys are a musical group that does youtube music videos.  There 5 men, Steven Nelson, Jon Schmidt, Al van der Beek, Tel Stewart, and Paul Anderson.  Jon and Steve are the most famous, as they are in the videos.  The other 3 men do the videography.

I absolutely love their music.  They are really popular on youtube.  All of their videos are covers of already popular songs.  Some of my favorite ones are "What makes you beautiful",  "Peponi", "Lord of the Rings", "Code name VaValdi", "Can't stop falling in love", and "Michael Meets Mozart".  All of their songs are amazing.

What makes them amazing is that The Piano Guys take songs, sometimes great songs, and make them better.  They add a classical twist to the music.  Michael Meets Mozart is a Michael Jackson single, but their version is even better than the original.

Anyways, if you have not ever heard of these guys, or haven't looked them up yet please do.  I love them.  They are the only music I listen to anymore.  It is great, wholesome music.

Their youtube channel is found at http://www.youtube.com/user/ThePianoGuys

The lastest one, Being Again, is amazing.

paper for English 1010

Scott Summit

Mrs. Miner

English 1010

February 13, 2013

One morning you are a running a little late for work.  You hop in the car and begin the drive, hoping for nothing major to happen on the way there.  Your boss keeps getting after for being late, and today you have an important meeting.  As you drive down the road, there is a sign flashing asking you to slow down for children crossing the busy street on their way to school.  In this moment, you have the choice to ignore the signs telling you to slow down, or do the responsible thing and slow down.  Most people will probably slow down, but you are in a hurry.  You really need to be at work on time today.

As you get closer to the flashing sign, you see kids coming up to the crosswalk.  Do you speed up, or do the responsible thing and slow down?

You may be smiling as you are reading this, thinking that of course you would slow down.  But in today’s busy world do we bother to actually look up from our iPhone or iPad to actually see the kids near the crosswalk?  I am distressed to see how many adults are driving while distracted.  Driving down Main Street it is not uncommon to see at least one other driver on their phone talking to someone or a driver who is looking down, not paying attention to the road.  This is a serious problem.

On October 27, 2008 an editorial that appeared on the website “theonion.com”, (1) an editorial cartoon that emphasis this point.  The cartoon is a picture comparing and contrasting how we as a society view both the youth and technology today with the view of both 30-40 years ago. 

In this cartoon there are two sides: one has a caption that says, “Then,” and the other side has the caption “Now.”  The side that has the caption “Then” shows an idealistic picture of a boy and girl, carrying books, on their way to school.  The kids, smiling, are about to use the crosswalk to cross the street.   There is a sign that says, “Children x-ing, please slow down”.   Above the words appears a sign that has a boy and girl using the crosswalk.  This is the same sign that is still seen near schools.

The children are smiling, happy to be on the way to school.  They are both dressed in nice clothes, the girl in a skirt.  I am sure that some children are happy to go to school, though this is not the way I felt each morning.

On the other side of the cartoon the same situation appears.  Two children are about to step onto a crosswalk.  Only the kids look markedly different on this side then one the first side.  One difference is the sign.  The words “Children with gadgets… please speed up”.  The picture above the words is different as well.  The boy is drawn as having baggy pants, headphones and a cell phone.  The girl is also carrying a cell phone.  There is a man, who is saying the words, “Don’t break for gizmos.” 

The kids are drawn differently.  The boy has a hat on backwards, with baggy pants and a tee shirt that reads, “RAP BAND”.  He has an iPod blaring in his ears and is carrying a portable gaming device.  The girl is wearing a shirt with “SLUT” across it, busy talking on her cell phone and reading a book with the title “text-o-matic.” 

The kids on the left side appear as they probably would have 30-40 years ago.  The kids are well groomed, have on nice clothing, and have a nice look about them.  The sign is asking people to be considerate on the youth crossing the street.

The kids on the right side of this cartoon look and are acting like what most people would call the “average” teenager.  It is becoming increasingly popular to have baggy pants, to have a cell phone, and to generally have a sloppy appearance.  These kids are seemingly all over high schools and shopping malls across America. 

This cartoon uses primarily uses pathos, ethos and logos to show the viewers how technology is a problem in today’s society.  The cartoon uses pathos to appeal to people emotions.  The viewers feel shocked to see the right side, where the sign is asking drivers to speed up.  I felt shocked when I first saw this cartoon.  This I think is an emotion the author wanted his viewers to feel. 

The use of technology has increased exponentially in the last few decades.  Whereas few people had cell phones 20 years, it is uncommon to find a teen today that does not.  My grandparents did not know what an iPod or MP3 player was until I told them multiple times.  They still play their records to listen to music.  They do not understand what it takes to be a teen today.

With so many distractions out there, it is unsurprising to see many teams so involved with technology.  There are countless online games, cell phone apps, music players, and other forms of electronics that not being involved with it is inconceivable for today’s youth.  You must be able to use a computer, send a text message, and do other things to survive in the future.  Technology is not bad; it enhances our lives.  We can send a message to someone almost instantly, and they can send a reply back.  It is easier to communicate with others today than it was 30-40 years ago.  It is how and when we use technology that it becomes a problem. 

Many parents and other responsible adults do not feel that the use of electronics is bad.  I agree with those that feel this way.  I do think that when we use technology irresponsibly is when it is bad.  The kids on the right side of the cartoon are so distracted that I doubt they would notice an oncoming car.   I think the cartoon implies that any oncoming drive will be distracted as well.  Many drivers today are distracted with cell phones and other electronics. 

The cartoon also uses logos to persuade the users that media distractions are becoming a problem in today’s society.  If I saw a sign with “Speed u. Children with gadgets.” on it I would probably go the city offices and complain.  I would want that sign changed.  It is completely irresponsible for drivers not to yield to pedestrians, especially kids.  I know it is an inconvenience, but it is a good thing to do. 

If I or most any other adult saw kids about to cross a road, of course we would hit the brakes and wait for the kids to cross.  It is just common sense.  Why would you want to speed up for kids?  That makes it less safe for kids to cross the road.  So why would the words “speed up” be used in this cartoon?  I think they are used to show us how ridiculous it would be to have such a sign.  Sometimes you need to exaggeration in an argument to show a point.  This is a point well worth exaggerating. 

The picture also uses ethos to show how we as a society view our youth.  “Ethos is a Greek word meaning ‘character’ that is used to describe the guiding beliefs or ideals that characterize a community, nation, or ideology”. (2) Both sides of the cartoon show how society has viewed children: the left side 30-40 years ago, and the right side of how we view the youth.
The effectiveness of this editorial cartoon will not be noticed at first. Its real impact lies in our realization of how technology is impacting our youth, as well as ourselves. When we realize the impact that electronics are having in our daily lives, we should evaluate how we use them. If needed, we should cut back how much we use them, as well as when and where we use them. We should also realize that with smart use, electronics enhance our lives as never before.


Sources:

(1) http://www.theonion.com/articles/editorial-cartoon-october-27-2008,12368/?ref=auto

(2) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethos

Amazing grace

I love this song, as well as the book and the movie.  Enjoy!

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.
Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far
and Grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promised good to me.
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.
Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.
When we've been here ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we've first begun.

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

month

So this past month has been interesting.  2013 started out with a few weeks of freezing cold weather.  It was probably -10 degrees at night for about a month from right before Christmas 2012 and until last week.  The month has seemed to fly by.

I have already read 7 books this year: The Guardian, Love is Eternal, Teach Like Your Hair is on Fire, the Alchemist, They Also Ran, An Education For Our Time, and Jesus the Christ.  I love reading, and especially good books.  I feel like I could read more, but this is how many I've read so far.

I also have started a project similar to the one I completed for my blog posts last year.  I collected a lot of articles, pictures and other things during my mission to California.  I have posted a few of the things on the blog already, such as the 13 missionary articles of faith, and the book of Lemuel.  Just going through those things makes me miss the mission a lot.

I also started college!  I am attending online classes from Salt Lake Community College.  I am taking Accounting, Political Science, Fitness for Life, Travel and English.  I like the English class best, but Accounting has the best teacher, Ms. Yerbury.  She makes all kinds of video, and has tons of explanations.

The accounting class is fun, but I am not a big fan of numbers.  I am able to grasp the subject pretty easily.  I just don't really have an interest in accounting.  My fitness class is good for me; it makes me exercise.  I don't enjoy doing it for the sake of exercise.  I know I need to lost a little weight and this is making me try.

So this past week has been frustrating at work.  Last week at Artic Circle they offered me more hours there, and a raise to $8 an hour.  That sounds pretty good to me.  But it would mean that I would take less hours at the hotel, which I don't want to do.  I am not a big fan of working nights, but it allows me times to update this, do homework and play League of Legends.  This last one has no bearing as to whether I work at AC more or not.  I just enjoy playing the game.

Well, when I told them I didn't want to take less time at the hotel I probably lost my chance to train some new people there.  I had been going to their training meetings, where those who want to train new employees go and learn how to do so.  But with working nights I won't be dependable enough for them to allow me to train.  That was disappointing.

Also, last Friday I worked for the other Night Auditor, who was sick.  It was a long day, 23 hours of being awake.  But I did it because if I am ever sick I would want someone to work for me.  It's the kind thing to do.  So we traded last Friday for Tuesday.

Only once Tuesday rolls around, my boss calls me at 11:20 and asks where I am.  I told him I am at my friends house and that the other person was working.  He then calls her, with no answer.  So I come in, and work the whole night.  She doesn't answer any calls all night.  So that is another day of 23 hours of being awake.  Which is incredibly annoying.

Well, I go home and go to sleep, and she wakes me up after an hour, begging me to forgive her. She told me I should hate her.  I don't hate her, but am seriously annoyed with what she had done.  Apparently she had set 3 alarms on high volume, and her phone sound was on, but she slept through 8 phone calls as well as her alarm.  I forgave her and told her not to let it happen again. Luckily she worked that night for me.  She got a warning from Paul.

And yesterday morning, the breakfast girl didn't show up until 6:45, right as I was getting ready to go.  I had had to set out the food and get everything ready for the guests as well as stay at the front desk.  Which is annoying.  The girl had slept through her alarm, and when she woke up she came to work in her PJ's, with no phone.  She comes in and scribbles me a note saying she will pay me $20.  I don't want money; I would like her to be responsible.  It's not the first time this type of thing has happened with her.

Tonight, I get a phone call from the other Night Auditor who was supposed to do breakfast in the morning, telling me that she is in Idaho and won't be coming to do breakfast in the morning.  Her grandma is sick and she is with family.  I get really annoyed with her, for the short notice, and she gets mad back.  I ask her if she would care if I did this to her.  She says that this is part of life.  It is part of life dealing with people who are irresponsible.  It is super annoying though.  So now I am writing this is frustration!

Book of Lemuel

The book of Lemuel

Little known to the body of the church, during the summer of 1990, a hitchhiker traveling across the southwest desert of the US made a marvelous discovery while searching for a place to bed down in a cave.  Unable to sleep, the hitchhiker began picking at a crack in the floor of the cave, and to his dismay, found nothing less than the lid to a stone box.  Upon removing the lid he discovered a set of aluminum plates, a switchblade knife and a pair of fuzzy dice.

In his desperation for food the hitchhiker sold the plates to an archaeologist from BYU, whom he met at a KFC in Shiprock, New Mexico.  The relics were reportedly sold for $100 and a bucket of the Colonel’s extra crispy with extra slaw and mashed potatoes.

Archaeologists have determined that the plates date from approximately 600 BC and contain writings in reformed Egyptian, which seem to parallel the narrative account of the Book of Mormon.  It is thought that the engravings were written by several men, or by one slightly schizophrenic man.

The Church has delayed comment until the plates can be further translated.  Here is a portion of the translation so far:

Dear Diary,

I, Lemuel, having been born of nagging parents, therefore I have been harassed much of my life.  Not only by my parents, but also by my younger brother, Nephi, and my older brother Laman, with whom I get along best.  There, now maybe my parents will get off my back about keeping a record.  LEM

Dear Diary,

It has finally happened!  My father is a lunatic.  He has decided that he ‘feels’ that we should leave the big city and head into the wilderness.  God only knows where.  He started talking about leaving after he came home from yelling at people to repent.  He said they threw rocks at him.  I think one must have beamed him in the noggin.  He then went and laid on his bed for about 12 hours straight.  I thought he was in a coma.    LEM

Dear Diary,

It looks like dad is serious about this whole leaving thing.  He says that he had a dream in which God told him to leave Jerusalem.  I guess it couldn’t have had anything with the pizza he ate before he went to bed.  I always have dreams like that if I eat pizza before I sleep.

Laman and I are resisting, but it looks like we’re going too.  We don’t really have to, I guess, but if we don’t how will we eat? Despair!  I have a girlfriend and my own horse.  Dad is loaded with gold, which we can’t take into the wilderness because it’s too heavy.  Of course, that momma’s boy Nephi is eager to go.  He makes me sick.  I think I’ll hurl my lunch if I see him again today.  LEM

Dear Diary,

We’ve been living in a tent for three days now.  My neck hurts from sleeping on the ground.  It must show, because Dad and Nephi keep commenting on my stiffneckedness.  There are mosquitoes everywhere and I have blisters on my feet.  Today Dad said, “O that thou mightest be like unto this valley, firm and immovable in keeping the commandments of the Lord…. Blah blah blah.”  Whatever.  Constant nagging.  He never lets up, and Nephi isn’t much better.  Have to go now.  LEM

Dear Diary,

Hi.  I’m Lemuel and I’m retarded.

Dear Diary,

I didn’t write that last entry.  Laman must have somehow gotten a hold of these plates.  Sometimes I wish you there was a way to erase engravings.  Maybe I could get a jeweler to fix it.  Dad says we have to go back into town and get some brass plates from Laban.  Sure, like Laban’s going to say, “Here you go, take them.  Maybe you want my coat too?  You want that I go die of pneumonia, and then you’ll be happy, right?”  He hit me once when we were younger because I spit on him.  I am not going.  LEM

Dear Diary,

Just got back from the city.  It was alright, but the way back was murder.  Laman was picked to go talk to Lana.  He went over and got drunk with him.  Then he hit on one of his women so Laban pummeled him bloody.  After that, we went back home, got our gold, and tried to buy the plates from Laban.  He said no and had his gang chase us away and stole all of our stuff.  Laman was furious.  I thought the vein on his head was going to blow.  He got a stick and we beat Nephi and Sammy with it until we got tired.  Finally, Nephi found Laban by a wall.  He was hammered, so Nephi chopped off his head and took the plates.  LEM

Dear Diary,

Now Dad wants us to go back home and get Ishmael and his family.  He probably wants us to marry his daughters-  he’s got about a million kids.  I guess I don’t mind so much about going back to Jerusalem this time; some of Ish’s daughter have nice bods, but nothing upstairs.  But hey, what more could a man want?  I’ll write more when I get back.   LEM

Dear Diary,

Just got back.  Ishmael’s daughters are better than I remembered.  But there’s one that’s butt ugly.  She’s been hanging around Laman like a bad suit.  Nephi’s been on our backs the whole time.  He keeps telling me to repent.  Sheesh!  IT’s not like I am Cain or something.  LEM

Dear Diary,

I’ve had it out here!  I’m no camper.  I’ve had diarrhea for the last two months.  I haven’t been writing much lately because things have been really hard.  Now the old man’s got a ball he stares into for about 8 hours a day.  He says it’s telling him what to do.  I’m going to bed.  Mom’s pregnant, I think.  Either that or she has a humor.  I think she’s too old to have a baby.  LEM

Dear Diary,

Mom is pregnant.  She had a boy – named him Joe.  We all have families now, and most of us have at least one kid.  I have two – Frank and Jesse.  They’re terrors, but I guess they’ll grow out of it.  I’ve got to write more often, but I always put it off.  I don’t know why, but my wife is getting real buff.  I’m worried about it because she’s almost bigger than me.  Laman’s wife is huge.  She’s stronger then eight cows.  But then, I always told Laman he had an eight cow wife!

Dear Diary,

Oyveh!  Would that there was a good deli in the wilderness.  I’m craving some bagels and lox, maybe pastrami on rye.  Nephi says God told him to build a boat.  He’s never even seen a boat; Jerusalem’s landlocked.  I’ve never seen more than a glass of water at one time, let alone an ocean.  Now Nephi thinks he’s Noah all of a sudden!  He can’t even shoot a bow.  He broke his last one last week.  We went a day without any food because of it, but Nephi probably called it a fast.  LEM

Dear Diary,

Laman just gave me a tattoo.  It really hurts.  He rubbed salt on it before I could stop him.  He said it makes it feel better.  It hurts like the dickens.  I don’t why I left him do it; he can talk me into just about anything.  I can’t believe it’s been eight years since we left home, and here we are on a beach with a ship that probably won’t even float.  Mom had another baby – called him Jacob.  I can already tell he’s going to be nothing but trouble.  LEM

Dear Diary,

We’ve been having a party here on that ship Nephi made.  It works pretty good; we’ve been floating for about two weeks now.  We tied Nephi up yesterday because he was so stiff.  Laman got real mad at him when he was drunk.  It’s been stormy a lot.  If it gets much worse we might sink.  Everybody says God is punishing us with this storm and that we should untie Nephi.  Right!  I doubt it.  But maybe we’ll untie him after Family Home Evening is over.  LEM