True Friends...

I once heard a wise cowboy say that a true friend will ride with you 'till hell freezes over, and then a little ways onto the ice.

Lemme tell you, I have a good amount of friends that fit this catergory. Some of you are far away and some are right around the corner. Some of you have been my pal since diapers, 6th grade or High School Rodeo. Some of you haven't known me very long at all in our lives, but we fit together pretty good. Some of you I see all the time, some of you I haven't seen for years and some of you I won't see 'till I walk through the veil.

I just want to tell all of you: THANK YOU! You have supported me in all that I do, and told me I was foolish when the time was right.

The reason for all of this is because this past weekend was a neat trip for me. I traveled to Utah to go to Blake and Lillian's wedding. (Kinkin to Anchan: AISHITE IRU YO!) They were sealed in the Bountiful Temple. I would like to tell the world just how beautiful Temples are. It is the closest you can get to Heaven on earth.
Any how... It was neat to see two people so in love. You could just see the love between these two great people. I've known Blake for 5 years, he and I started and ended our missions together and we served together in a great town, Aizuwakamatsu. All of you who are my friends can thank Blake for teaching me how to be as nice as I am... Lillian I have only known for about half a year. I knew her first from Blake telling me about her on the phone. He told me she was a really nice girl. He was right. She is awesome to people. They show love to people and they bring out the good in each other and those around them. How neat is that?

It was good to travel around and see some new things. But it is noce to be home. The only bad thing is that I leave again soon. School starts the 5th...

Any how- To all my friends, old and new: Bless you and thank you for being there for me. I love you all.

-Yeah, It's okay... I love you!

We be travlin'

Another adventure brought to you by Big Mack and Bad A.

Bad A and I took off to Rexburg on Thursday night. Why? I think you all could guess... Well my buddy Jared needed some boxes to move with, and I hauled them up there. It also gave us the opportunity to stop over and go dancin'. Oh YEAH... I must make a disclaimer, before certain people say I am a "player." I most certainly am not out dancing to "get action." (I explained to Bad A that I started out dancing as a way to meet girls. HOWEVER, I was a bad dancer and the girls I was meeting thought I was a clutz, no dates resulted. I kept going, as I am a determined soul, that I could learn more how to dance. Over the years my skills have increased. Now I don't go dancing to get dates, I go to dance. Its a heck of a work out! I do enjoy making my partners work and they usually leave with a smile. Bad A pointed out to me that every girl he saw me dance with left with a smile on thier face. I must be doing something right... But I gotta keep practised up, 'cause I am sure that one of these days I will have the opportunity of dancing with one of my favorite partners -Yeah, It's okay.-)

So we danced up a storm. Bad A met some girls that will probably inspire him to travel to Rexburg to visit me while I complete my last semester. That is right, I only have ONE left! Wahoo! Sorry, I get a bit pumped up. I am glad I will finally have something to show for my time in the City of Ice.

I must say that I probably scared my future roomates with my current look. I visited the place that will be my home for the next four months. The door was open and I just walked in like I own the place. The kid that was there looked at me like I was nuts (no one is debating that...). I told him and the manager, who showed up in a few minutes, not to worry because they wouldn't recognize me the next time they see me. I will be clean shaven... Not really looking forward to that, but all good things must end...

Apology...

If this is read by someone today, know that this is meant for you. I had some crazy things happen this week and I didn't make it to the post. I will today or tomorrow and I will be including some proof that I do exist. You know, like photos or something. I hope you are having a wonderful day and that all is well.
Take care. Youve Oil. (Thats an anagram... see if you can solve it.)

Time to grow up?

I am the uncle to 9 of the greatest kids in the world. Each has their own tastes, ideas, thought processes, fears hopes and dreams. They are so very unique. Each has a spot in my heart. I try not to play favorites to them, and I hope I am just in my treatment. It is hard to treat all of them as nice as the youngest Larsen, Clancy. He doesn't ever back talk and he loves to be around me. Of course, he is not yet 2 and cannot talk and he just wants to be put to sleep.
The point of all of this is that I have been the only single member of my family for 8 years. They are starting to look at me funny. Granted I am only 23. But some in my family are worried. Their worry is perhaps well-founded as I consistently make choices that seem immature and frivolous. I often choose to throw my money at steers, chasing the dream of making a little money in the rodeo world. I also do things at a whim that none of them can do. I jump in my truck and go places just to look at something I haven't seen before. Some call this Peter Pan Complex.
I would like to tell you I am NOT Peter Pan! I am taking advantage of a what I would call a great situation. You see, it lies in my theory of life: "Families are eternal. But you can only rope for so long..." Trust me, one day I will grow up. I plan on it. I am making choices, albeit behind the scenes, that are "big people choices." I am going to graduate from college soon. I am preparing to enter law school. I am taking a couple of financial risks that I hope will pay off, and none of them involve cards, horses or pyramid schemes. I am working on creating relationships that will be lasting and prove fruitful one day, not only in marriage, but by keeping friends close that will one day aid me in becoming the man I believe that I am destine to become. That is another one of the mottos I live by: "It ain't what you know, it's who you know." That has a deeper meaning than just what is on the surface. Think of the scripture that tells you what eternal life is.
Anyhow, lemme tell all of you thanks for keeping tabs on me and what is going on. Truth be told, I think things are just ducky. One day it'll all work out. Until then I just need to be patient.
Its' okay, huh?

It's Me!

For those of you who haven't seen me in a while, I thought I'd give you an updated photo... Don't worry, I will be shaving on September 5th, since I will be back at BYU-I, and classes will start. I might keep the mustache, HOWEVER I would like to put it to a vote: leave a comment about Mustache or clean shaven, lemme know what you think. 

Check it out!

This is one of my favorite Photos from my mission. Kinda neat, eh? 

One Wild Weekend...

Well, I am sure that it was wild for someone... No that wasn't me, I just hit the road. Hard to believe, right...

Friday night I loaded up with Shawn "Puffy" Coombs and his lovely wife, Mickey and headed off to ST. Anthony, for the Pioneer Days Rodeo. Lemme tell you that St. Anthony, ID is not a mainstream kind of place and it is always fun to see what kind of people come out to the rodeo. If you have ever been to a tractor pull, mud bog, demolition derby or a monster truck rally, you know what I am talking about. Any how, I had forgotten how much fun rodeos are. You see, the rodeo bunch is a lot of folks who travel down the road hitting up the same towns at the same times. I have been doing this since I was a junior in High School, and so I still know a few people. Two of my favorite folks, Brad Reamer and Buck LaRoche, are over 55 and still rope calves and team rope together. I think Buck is over 60 and he still can rope calves at a high rate of speed. The best part is that I hadn't seen them for a few years and they still knew who I was, even with the goatee... (Just a note, some of the kids I went to BHS with didn't recognize me with the goatee when we had the "party" at the City of Rocks, and I saw them almost every day for 3 years!) I kinda felt bad, and I hope that my good friends all forgive me, I hope Ty forgives me for pulling that trick on him, and that Mary understands that I didn't sit very long 'cause I wanted to talk to folks.

So, it was Puffy's first rodeo in the ImPRA, and his horse had never been through a rope barrier (for an explaination of the barrier system call me or listen very carefully to your local rodeo announcer). Any how, his horse balked at the barrier causing his hat to fall over his eyes... Basically, not a good run.
We got home about 2 in the morning and we were supposed to be in Oakley at 8 for the slack there. 7am came super fast... I had the most bumpin headache I have had in a long time. Puffy tells me that that is what is like to have a hang-over, minus the puking, cotton mouth and such. We found out that we would be roping about eleven, so we settled in on Uncle Eugene's big flat bed truck. It lives at the Oakley arena. It is where my family gathers and watches the rodeos there. It is really nice to watch the fireworks from as well.

Anyhow, my tummy got to rumbling so I headed over to the cookshack for breakfast. I knew the fellas running it and I asked them what was for eating. They told me they had panckaes, eggs and sausage. I asked if they'd make a sausage sandwich, and they replied with a message often heard in Oakley, "If you want it that way, do it yourself." So I headed to the back of the shack and proceded to build a fantastic sandwich. When I asked how much they told me since I cooked it, it was free. I had earned it. I don't look a gift horse in the mouth and off I went. Pretty good breakfast.

We finally got our draw and drew steer #36. I asked Merv, the Zen Master of Roping in my book, how #36 ran. He pulled out his notecard (Merv is a serious roper and he watched every steer run. He knew what each would do.). He asked what we drew and I told him. He smiled and said "I can't let you see this." After coaxing, Merv let me see the note. It said "36=MONEY." Simple and to the point. We had drawn the steer to win the rodeo. Booyah! Puffy and I backed into the box. The nod came and out we went. The steer was breaking a little to the left, just the way it should. Puffy threw to be in the 5 hole (in other words, a catch and we could be as fast as 5 seconds...) His loop sailed... right over the horns. No catch. I was a bit disapointed, but that is rodeo. It happens. There is next weekend, we're headed to Shoshone. It oughtta be good.

The rest of the day was pretty chill. Best part of my day was getting home from the rodeo and seeing a letter in the mail with a Oklahoma postmark. In case anyone wonders, I get pretty giddy to get mail and when it comes from that part of the country, I can't help but smile. It's okay, huh.

The rodeo that night was good and the fireworks rocked.

Sunday came fast, but it was a good day. Good meetings. Learned an amazing truth. I was teaching the lesson and a brother made the comment "You never get addicted to anything good. All the bad things get addicting, but I haven't heard of someone who absolutely NEEDS to read thier scriptures or they go into a state of shock..." I thought that was pretty insightful. You have to work to become righteous. It isn't something you just DO.

Then movie night at the Preston house. Bad A and The Champ bought a projector. We hung white sheets and set up theater seating. it was great.
All I know is that life is pretty dang good and I can't complain. Half of you wouldn't listen and the other half would be glad to hear I have the problems...

By the way, drink a Jones Soda. Do it cause the flavors are cool, the picture on the lable is unique and there are fortunes on the lid...

How to be king...

Okay, for most of you this won't apply, but I want to tell you that it is totally good to be king. You might be thinking I am ripping off Tom Petty, but I am not wanting the same things that he professes in his song, although it is one of my favorite songs... But I digress...
So, why do I fell this way, well, I don't really know. It could be that the other day I was roping pretty good ans won a menial amount of money. It could be that I have had more fun this week of summer than I have had all summer, even though I really didn't go any where special. Well, I DID go to Twin Falls and eat at Sushi Tokyo. HIGHLY RECOMEND IT. The owners are from Hiroshima, nice folks and they are very fun people. My date had never had sushi before and I got her to eat eel. Now eel is lots tastier than it looks, so fret not. If you ever get the chance I would tell you to take a chance and throw some down your gut. After dinner we couldn't get into Pirates of the Carribean, so we headed back to Burley. I took the old highway and she told me she had never been to the top of Mount Harrison, a travesty in my book, so off we went. At the top you can see all over the valley. It was pretty cool. It almost took me back a few years to a simpler time on the 4th of July...
Any how, I think that perspective is 98% of how great life is. Things can be pretty crappy sometimes, but if you look at the bright side, things will work out right. Like you know placing one out of the money sucks, but at least you know that you tried. That girl might laugh hysterically at how you kissed her, but at least she didn't slap you. You might drive a truck that only gets 12 MPG, but it is YOURS outright and the bank has no claim on it. Shoot, look on the bright side! Just remember that things could always be worse!

If you're gonna go GO BIG!

I had the sweet opportunity of riding a water weenie for the first time in my life yesterday. Boy Howdy! That was fun! The Park Avenue Singles Branch had a FHE activity down at Hobsons Dock. I hadn't been down there for a few years, used to go all the time when I was a youngin', with my buddy Craig. Anyhow, I had a sweet time riding and I learned that the best part of getting bucked off was taking people down with me. And I went off big time when it came down to it.

Haven't written about going to Reno, either. Course, I really can't say too much about Reno, as it might incriminate me. However, I will say this: It is good to drive a Ford, right, Linds? Anyway, the reason we headed down there was to watch the BFI, a who's who of the roping world. It was pretty good to watch, not only for entertainment, but for education. I learned some new things about my tie-down and positioning my feet. I think it will help. Saddest moment of the day was when Walt Woodard missed a steer that could have won him and Matt Sherwood a bucket of money. The whole place was wishing them the best. I guess there is always next year... (But they did kick some hiney at the Reno Rodeo, I watched them rope in the Slack on Wednesday, and they were a smooth 4.4 seconds. There are some of you that can't even do up your zipper that fast!)
We also went down to watch the Reno Rodeo Invitational, our buddies Hoggie and Hoggie were in it. It paid $100,000 a man to win it! and if you caught 3 steers you would get $3,500 , which was $1000 more than the fees were! Unfourtunatley the fellas had some hard luck and missed the 3 steer cut-off by 1.5 seconds. But, it is like Hoggie said, "It ain't like that was the last roping on earth, there'll be others." That is a life lesson in it self. Why get so wrapped up in outcomes of one event? There will be other chances.
After the roping there was a performance horse sale. WOW! they were some sweet horses. The one I thought would be nice went for a song and dance, only $13,000! That is NOT a small number, at least for a 4-year old gelding.
Speaking of 4-year olds, Kody, the paint horse and Will, the sorrel, are coming along nicely. Only had one good blow up with Will, he tried me pretty hard, but I stuck to him. Kody sometimes thinks he is a world champion buckin' horse, but that is all in his head.
Hope your world is good and that you are enjoying your summer as much as I am! Have a Good One!

Correct me if I am wrong, but are you asking for a challenge?

To be completely honest I can't fathom the fact that it is already June! Good crud, where'd the first few months go? Okay, now with that out of the way I would like to say to everyone: BOOYAH! You wanna know why I say BOOYAH? Well, basically because I can. Really no other reason.

If you are reading this blog to be blown away by some of astounding knowledge that I may share, I would like to appologize. I have no actual knowledge left in my brain. BUT I do have some interesting, but maybe not actually factual tidbits of information:
-You can hypnotize Chickens by using a stick and scratching the ground
-My truck has 2 gas tanks and that comes in very handy for a nice trick, running out in one tank and convincing people we are stranded
-Girls fight just because they can
-Divine proportion is 1.681 (Thank you Dan Brown)
-People DON'T listen to the first things you say on the telephone if they call the same place a lot (I answer the phone with the same greeting, which includes my name and people still call me Brent, my dad's name)
-My friend Joe can hypnotize cats, I think he is the true "Cat Whisperer..."
-It takes about 2.77 weeks for me to grow a sweet fumanchu, or goatee
-If you want real truth, ask someone who is younger than 10
-George Burns said that the key to a good sermon is a great beggining and a great ending and to make sure the two are close together
-"KISS Rules!"-Billy Shaw
-A Natoosee Leather Couch is perhaps one of the most comfortable couches produced
-The average heart beats 2 BILLION times over a lifetime
-People in the Land of the Rising Sun can play Paper Rock Scissors faster than any people on the planet
-Paper Rock Scissors can decide the most difficult problems. from whose toy is whose to whether the red button gets pushed


Okay, I have given you some sweeeeeet knowledge, now here comes the challenge: I want you to leave at least one useless peice of knowledge that has "changed your life." Keep it G-rated, please. I realize that the ones I have left don't mean much to ya'll, but one day you will understand...

Sometimes You Win...

And of course sometimes you lose. I am talking about the elections here in Idaho that occured yesterday. I will have to say I am a bit disappointed. I know it may sound like philisophical gobbledie-gook but I have seen results and they make me hang my head in shame a bit. I am mostly disapointed for my old boss, Norm Semanko. I would have thought that the people in the 1st District would be a tad bit smarter and see that he was the man for the job. The problem is that he may not be slimey enough to represent them. Norm is a good upstanding man and very trust worthy. He does a great job in his work as an attorney and as the Exec. Dir for the IWUA. He gets things done. I learned a lot from him as I watched him handle the issues of his campaign as well as the work of the IWUA. You'd think folks would want a guy that can get things done in office, and maybe Bill Salli will, I just had hopes for Norm. I think the people of the 1st District missed a great chance to have a good man go to bat for them in Washington. I guess it could be worse, it could have happened in my home District, the 2nd...

The County Elections were almost as disappointing. I think the downfall here is that we base too much on who a person is, not what he can do. I like the fellas that got elected for County Commisioner here in Cassia, but just because I like them doesn't mean that I think they will do a great job. I would just look at what they have done (or haven't) for the County. However, I guess enough people think they are doing a good job and they got re-elected. I just think a little change would do some good.

No surprise was the race for Governor. Go Butch! A freind of mine said this morning, "He may be a womanizing drunk of an idiot, but he is OUR womanizing drunk of an idiot!" I think what he meant was, yes Butch's morals might not be the greatest, but at least we go into the deal knowing he is that way. He does move and shake and can speak the lingo of the folks back in DC as well as be downhome in Idaho. I think he will do alright.

All in all I guess the best part about the election is that I cast my vote. I tried to have my voice heard. Some of the folks I voted for got elected, some didn't. It doesn't sadden me or make me bitter. Why would I be mad, I did my civic duty and now I can still voice my opinion, even though I might have chose some losers, I still chose. Did you get out and vote? Well if you didn't then keep your trap shut! Your vote could've changed things! Every vote counts and for people to sit by and do nothing and then complain because it isn't going the way they want, I say to hell with them! Appathetic people are the kind of folks I can not stand. Don't just sit there DO SOMETHING!

Remember, all it takes for Evil to triumph is for Good men to just stand by and do nothing.

My Parents are Cooler than Your Parents...

Okay, so that may sound like a pretty loud statement, but it has got to be true. Why? Because my Mom just left for Europe tob there 20 days, she will see 7 countries and have tons of fun. It is her birthday from my Uncle Vance and Aunt Joan. They are also taking four of their grandchildren, which Mom is sort of doing the nanny thing for them. They flew out yesterday and they should be in Frankfurt by now. Uncle Vance has a friend (Max) from Hawaii that speaks 7 languages and he is originally from Romainia. He wants to take a gal there who is one of his friends to see some of the opera scene. She is 28 and a good performer and Max wants her to see some things that may inspire her.

Dad just left for Park City this morning to film a comercial with some famous golfer. I will tell you who when the commercial airs, I don't want to get in trouble for leaking information... But Aunt Linda is producing the comercial, I think. Dad took a golf buddy with him. The information Aunt Linda said was that they needed some guys who looked like they golfed that were from the ages of 30 to 55. Both Dad and Kelly golf and off they went. I think they will get $100 for their trouble. I just hope it isn't a Levitra commercial...

I am working at the Shop, of course. The weather is nice and sort of a good cloud cover. I would post a picture of me and my new style, but Mom took the camera with her. I have a Fumanchu and burns down past my ears now... I kinda look unkept, but it makes for some fun times. I got to go to Conner Creek Junction Saturday and rope at the Sam Adams Arena. It was pretty fun. The view from thier place is pretty cool. You really can't beat being out there. Sam is a nice guy, good family and some quick cattle.

I hit the first of the Summer Series ropings put on by Dan Kidd. I didn't do any good. I wasn't roping too hot. But I had the chance to talk to a fella, Merv, who always has some good advice and he is a heckuva roper. He said I need to stop analyzing myself so much, just get in postion and rope. I tried to do that at Sam's but the wind was blowing into me when we would turn left... So maybe I will try tonite, it is Monday and Family Rope Evening.

In other news: I am reading the Da Vinci Code. Yes, I like it. Saw the movie and I liked it as well. I realize lots of folks criticize both, mostly the movie, but it really doesn't matter. I just take things for what they are worth. You have got to remember, IT IS FICTION PEOPLE! My goodness!

Yeah, and Branch Conference was yesterday. The Stake Presidency spoke. It was pretty cool. It is always good to hear and be somewhat chastised. I think I will be a bit better person for the whole experience.

So, if you think your parents are cooler than mine, that's okay, this isn't a contest in any way shape or form. But I know my Dad is tougher than your dad, so there...

Unregularity

I have been doing pretty much the same stuff over and over everyday for the last few weeks, not much in adventuring tales to tell. I am a bit bummed about that, but what is a fella to do? I wish I could have my unregular life again. Most the time things are changing so much that I have to keep looking for similarities, but not so lately. Although, life is still full of surprises...

First big surprise was last Sunday when High Councilor Campbell pulled me aside and said the Stake Presidency needed to meet with me. I tried to talk them out of it, by telling them about my bad habbits and saying I might develop more bad habbits, but they wouldn't give. I was later informed of a freind who said he had the same situation and he asked them if they were sure they'd prayed about the matter, and then asked if they might have meant another person of the same name, or maybe a name that sounded like his. Any how, no such luck. (that is a joke, I am sure this calling will be a good thing for me. I always grow with my callings)

The next neat thing was having my brothers and thier families come home to help out at the annual Yard Cleanup at my grandpa and gramma Larsen's. We had all the little kids around and we roped on Friday night. Way fun. The kids took turns running out of the chute and chasing each other. They ran themselves ragged. It was pretty fun to watch.

I hope everyone had a good Mothers Day. I hope we all took the time to thank our Mom's and let them know how much we love them. Heck, think about it where would YOU be without your mom? I liked the answer from the card that Cody and Sally got for my mom. It said we would probably be eating candy from a stranger sitting too close to the TV in yesterday's underwear. Or something like that. BANZAI to Moms every where. And a BANZAI to those future moms out there who are going to be just as wonderful to future generations as our moms have been to us.

Oh the Places I've been...

No this isn't a travelog of where I have been in my life, because, let's face it: I am well traveled.
I am talking about the emotional journey I have been on the last weeks. I have fighting off the crazy demons of Boredom and Laziness. Do you know these fellas? They aren't really nice guys. They make everything seem old and crusty, tastless. Food seems drab, nothing seems cool. Not even flying down a road at 100MPH doesn't cut it. Sad, too sad. But once again, my positivist outlook has kicked in! I have so much to do! I just need to get out and experince it. I reckon I might not have anyone to share the journey with at my side, but I will someday. When that day comes I will have many a tale to tell about things I have done and places I have journeyed to. How great will that be?

I tell you now that I am looking out the window and I can see mountains and places to go that I have been before, but I need to revisit. I am going to hit the road. No, no long journey to foreign lands (I'll leave that to Mom). I am going to see what my home has to offer. Mt. Harrison, Elba, Almo, City of Rocks, Big Cottonwood, Trapper Creek, Birch Creek, Shoshone Falls, Twin Falls, Oakley and all the cool stuff in my preverbial back yard. Here I come. Booyah!

By the way, since I last blogged I have been roping in Nampa, didn't do any good (got the Flu and roped every steer turned for me). I have also been working for Mom and Dad. Fun stuff.

Hope you all are well and dandy! Have a Good 'Un!

The $3200 Scholarship

So, here is a lesson in math: 1 new engine for an Olds 98 $3150, gas $50, new windsheild $150 and a Check from BYU-I Ag Dept for $200 makes the cost of my $200 Scholarship $3200.

I was driving to Rexburg to recieve this award in Mom's car. About American Falls I noticeted that the car was wanting to shut down and she was billowing smoke and her oil pressure died. I climbed the first off ramp by the Pioneer Tractor dealership and called Mom. She drove my truck there and Dad followed with the Sheesh wagon and a flatbed. We loaded up the car and I hit the road, about 2 hours behind my plan. Got to the dinner an hour late, just in time to recieve my award. I looked great (suit, tie and matching hankie) and had a hottie for a date (You rock, hot chick!); so I had a great entrance. Oh yeah!

After the dinner we hit up the campus country dance night for a spell. I danced in my suit, well, I shed the jacket. But it was good fun. Left for a bit and came back with proper dancing atire. Good fun (really more than I can explain, for safety's sake). I crashed at Glen and Denise's place. I tell you what. In all my travels I have noticed that it is a far better deal to stay with married people. They are cleaner than an apartment full of sinlge guys, have better blankets and nicer places.

Think about it, I am sure you might know of what I speak. This is the real reason I go to so many weddings. It isn't just to see the bliss of others, but to build up social credit. People remember some things and if you do give a good gift or at least save a life during a wedding, people remember. Then they let you sleep on their floor. See, I am basically a genious in disguise...

Any how, I got back on the road to go home and noticed a chip in the windshield. DRATTS!!! So my little award is great, but I will have to work like hell to pay for it! I think next year I will just write a nice thank you and tell them someone else can enjoy the blessings.

Too little too late...

Too little sleep that is, and too darn late last night. I went up to Iceburg and hit up the country dance scene at the Strata, way too much fun! I haven't been dancing in a place without alchohol or smokers for about 4 months. It was great! I like not having to worry about the sobriety of my dance partner, course, I am sure some of mine wondered about me... I, of course, was not drunk, I have never even tasted the garbage! Lemme tell you, what makes me go is havin good fun and there ain't no more fun than good dancin, cept maybe good ropin. I think my Uncle Blaine used to say every day, when he was a kid, looking in the mirror, "Who is the greatest guy in town and why am I? Because I can dance." Yup. Me too. Just ask the girls that had the chance to last night, I am thinking they would all agree, and out of two or three witnesses.... Booyah!

Stair wells and small dogs... Part One

What a weekend... I started early Friday morning and jumped on a plane to SLC. Met a new friend, Gary. He was a good man headed to go skiing with his buddies. We had a good chat about life and what was going on in the world. I was met by Lillian and Blake. Blake was one of my companions in the mission. He is a good man, studying music at BYU. Lillian is Blake's girlfreind, she is a sweet gal. They rock as a couple. I love seeing people happy together, I think I see that in them. We went to the new Joseph Smith film. WOW what a great show. As we were watching I kept thinking it was because of that wonderful man that I am who and where I am. Thans to Joseph's prayer and his desire to know the truth, I have what I have. I couldn't help it, I bawled like a baby. I was just so thankful for all I have. After the show we headed down to Provo. We hooked up with Aaron, one of our other doki and a former mission companion. We went to Demae, a great Japanese restaraunt in Provo, soooo good. After that we cleaned up and off to Springville for the misson reunion. That was way fun! Good crud, it was great to see lots of folks. Josh showed up and the fun began. We talked about stuff that both of us had completely forgot about. Josh was my trainer and we sure had some crazy times. The great thing is that all our fun isn't in the past. We had another episode at the reunion. We had been joking about someone that we both knew and you know what they say, speak of the devil and he is sure to appear. Well that person walked right in... Tehehehe. We busted out laughing and proceeded to laugh so hard that we had to go outside. The dogs in the neighborhood barked at us... It was crazy. Then a few of us gathered up and went to the Hunt's house for some sukiyaki, boy howdy, that was soooo good... So, after the sukiyaki Josh and I were off to Provo so I could crash at Blake's. We laughed so hard on the way that I almost lost my cookies, as well as the sukiyaki...
Wasn't Conference great? WOW. I loved Elder Neilson's talk. Of course, they were all good, but that was sweet. I actually got to see Preisthood session live, Joe got tickets, props to Joe! I sat next to John Gochnour, the last time he and I watched a session together live was when we were 13 or 14, and that was in the Tabernacle. Crazy. (After the session we went up to a sweet pizza joint, the best pie I have ever had!) Back to Provo with Jonny G. Joe let me use his wheels to drive around. What a guy, that Joe. Over to Mary's folks' to bed down.
I would just like to pause here and thank everyone of my friends. I am so dadgummed blessed! I had the opportunity to spend time with quite a few of the freinds that the Lord has given to me. You guys and girls are all great. I wouldn't want to overlook all of those whom I haven't seen for a while. What are you all thinkin? How'd you end up with me? I'm sure glad you all put up with me. You all put up with me and all my bad habits and problems. Thanks so much!
Sorry to get all mushed up... I will continue again soon...

All good things...

Or must all good things come to an end? I am looking down the barrel of the end of my intership. I am not going to B.S. you and say that it has all been roses, but it has been a great learning experinece. Like I told someone today, I have worked with a lot of good people and met a whole bunch of "interesting" folks. I would like to publically thank the IWUA for giving me this opportunity. You guys ROCK! If you are in the 1st Congressional District of Idaho remember to Vote in your primary on May 23, and VOTE SEMANKO!
If you are wondering what McCord will do next (not a rip off of Ford's "What will Phil do next?") I will not leave you all in suspence. I am running away and joining the Circus. Boo-yah! I heard The Ringling folks were hiring a bearded lady and I thought I would see if the ERA would help me get a job...
Seriously though, I am headed back to B-Town. I will take up my former position of HNIC at Burley Refrigeration, working for Mom and Dad. I like it, it is something I am decent at doing and they let me set my own hours. Yes, I will be roping, would you really expect anything else? C'mon... Hopefully I will convince my favorite header and my financial secretary to hit the road and rope in some IMPRA shows. If I get turned down, I will have to resort to begging and pleading... It might not help, but I'll do what it takes.
I also want to bounce up to Ricks on occasion to get a little groove on at the STRATA. Look out Rexburg! OH YEAH!
I would like to send out a jovial holler to those of you who have been there for me. I am not naming any names but you know who you are (an extra special shout out to one heckuva waitress at Applebee's, you rock!). The good times that I had in your various presences will not be forgotten. If you have the inlking to, just drop a line in the comment section, beleive me, I read them and reply...
Well folks, the workday is drawing to a close... I am looking forward to my commute out to Riley's. What a great life, I think Gary Alan hit it on the head: Life ain't always beautiful, but it is a beautiful ride...

Wonderment

Have you ever felt like you had no idea what was going on in your life? Welcome to my world. I kinda am having one of those days that U2 talks about in a classic song: I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For. I have done a lot and I have tons to be thankful for, but dang, I still fill a void in my heart.
Anyhow, lets move on, eh? The Legislature is winding down and we know what that means: Rodeo Season wil be upon us soon. Looking forward to it. All our bills have passed and are waiting the signiture from the governor. Not too bad.
Last night I got to go Home Teaching with Riley, that was cool. He is a darn fine man, good Father, husband, son and brother.
The other night I went out with Riley and the kids. Dang those little ones are observant. We were eating ice cream at ColdStone and Annabelle says to me "Uncle McCord, you're going to be a good daddy." I thanked her and pointed out that I needed a wife before I could become a dad. Then Addy piped up, "First you need a girlfreind! Uncle Jeff got a wife fast, how come you keep losing girls?" Darn good question... I don't know if I have a decent answer to that wonderful question. So I reckon I will have to do a bit of R&D. If any of you have good answers, I'd be obliged if you could offer suggestions.
In other news, the DNCFR was pretty good. Long night, though. I got home to Burley about 3:30 A.M. Sunday morning. Still got up to go to Church with Gramma Matthews at 10:00. Think I had better thank a few folks for making that a fun night: Roman, Ty, Devonie, Uncle Reed, Aunt Linda and most of all Mandy (for puting up with me). After the rodeo hit up the Green T and danced a bit. That was a hoot. We left before things got too crazy. Good times though...
The weather outside is looking pretty good and a bit breezy, course, if there wasn't any wind I wouldn't know how to stand up straight.

Willie Must Have More Endurance...

I think the reason Willie likes being on the road again is that he rides in a sweet tour bus and probably doesn't have to drive. I have been from one side of the state to the other side, and I am going to head back out as soon as I have lunch. I am headed back to Burley to hopefully rope tomorrow and then head up to the Dodge for the last performance. Thanks to Jay for the tickets. So for those of you wondering how many miles that is well, here is the math: from Star to I.F. is 299.30 miles and I did that twice-600 miles; now back to Pocatello that is another 256 miles, and yes, I will be coming back to Star Sunday night, so 512 round trip. Okay 1112 miles doesn't seem that much for my buddy Virgil, but that's plenty for me. I think it'll be worth it. I have a lunch date with my family in Burley tomorrow and probably rope and I might go watch my cousin's rodeo in Rupert before I head out to the Dodge.
I have also had some dang fine sushi this week. Went to the Blue Hashi in I.F. It's good, but I thought that Sakura Sushi in Eagle was better. I don't know, I just think that folks that are actually from the Orient make better sushi than guys from the U.S. Course, there was a Hawaiin kid in Iceburg that was pretty good. I guess I just like to see hendersized sushi. Oh well.
Anyhow, if you get a chance, try the Dragon Roll, it rocks! I reckon I will get on the road here soon, the quicker I leave the quicker I get where I am going...
On the road again...