The Luckiest People...

A friend of mine, Matthew, shared this on Facebook. It made me laugh in spots and say "holy crap" in others. Still, worth sharing. Hope you enjoy.

Bring them In From The Plains...

This is something I hope everyone, but especially my family, will watch and take to heart. I grew up hearing stories of the Martin and Willie Handcart Company and how some of my relatives were rescued. The journey that caught them in such dire straights and the journey to rescue them in very harrowing conditions both took tremendous faith; something I can't claim to have ever had. The rescuers were safe and comfortable in their Salt Lake homes, but courage and faith compelled them out into the storms to help people they didn't even know. Some would not return as they helped others survive.

This story beautifully intertwines that story of courage and bravery and faith with that of many modern saints and pioneers. Will you be the one to leave your safe, comfortable home to help them? How many could have been saved?

How many can still be saved?

A Wizard of Oz reunion

I saw this online and just had to share it. The five remaining cast members recently celebrated the 70th anniversary of The Wizard of Oz. Most of my formative years were before VHS, DVD or Blue Ray. Back in those days, they broadcast The Wizard of Oz once per year. I remember we (meaning my mom) would make a huge pot of Kraft Macaroni and Cheese and we'd invite the neighborhood to watch with us. It was really a special evening forever lost to the convenience of modern technology.

An Experiment begins...

Finally, a few minutes to write. It isn't that I'm finally not busy or don't have a hundred things to do. No. I'm sure there are lots of ways I should be spending my time, but fortunately, or unfortunately, my memory just now can't recall what they are. The blog template was open, so it must be time to write. Ok, so I'll write. If you read this and you are the victim of my memory lapse (i.e., we were supposed to meet for lunch or you are having a fabulous party I'm missing, please accept my sincerest apology. Then again, next time, I might very well be at your fabulous party or enjoying lunch with you when I should be somewhere else. Think Lion King and the Circle of Life. I'm listening to the German cast just now. Thanks, Josh.

If there is one thing that people say about me (what? People talk about me?) is that I am musically deficient. When I was a teenager, my mother used to tease me for only listening to LDS artists (Afterglow, Michael McLean, Janice Kapp Perry, etc., etc.). Then again, I tried to be the best little LDS boy ever (except Joe Smith, of course). As I grew older (and wiser?) I turned my focus to soundtracks from Broadway and cinema, connecting to the story and passion and raw emotion behind the songs. Theater is something I figured all people, especially all gay men loved. No. I was sorely mistaken about that, but to this day can't figure out why. Broadway is so magical. When friends would ask about my musical taste or about a specific artist, I'd either simply ask, "Who?" or reply with a phrase from the South Park movie, "I don't listen to hip-hop." I'd tell people, "If it hasn't been on Broadway, I haven't heard it." Of course I've heard other songs and artists in passing, but none enough to commit to memory. Friends at work even teased me one day for not knowing popular artists. I couldn't tell you who they asked about, but do remember feeling a bit insecure for not knowing. Clinging to the whole Broadway phrase just didn't cut it. Apparently there are some artists and groups and songs everyone, even gay guys, should know.

So, an experiment to increase my exposure to music outside of Broadway. At the library, I randomly picked albums from four male artists in different genre strictly based on their covers. I'll admit choosing women artists never crossed my mind. I'll listen to the entire CD (even if I dislike it intensely) and write a little something about them here on the blog. Fun? We'll see.

The first batch included Elton John's The Captain & The Kid. I really like Elton John's The Lion King (movie and Broadway soundtracks), AIDA and Billy Elliot, so I figured this was a safe bet. Can't get crazy and jump into the deep end of the pool. Don't want to drown on my first effort outside Broadway.

About 10 years ago, I had a thing for Ricky Martin. I always wished he would live La Vida Loca with me. At my apartment, I had a Ricky Martin poster on my wall that I enjoyed very much. For this experiment, I tried his 2005 album LIFE.

At work, we had discussed the tragic tale of Kenny Chesney's marriage. Going a little bit Country, I picked his holiday album, "ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS is a real good tan." This album seems to confirm the rumors that he is gay, though I'm not judging. The cover and in fact all pictures in the CD booklet are hot and curiously devoid of women. His songs are interestingly anony-sexual (like Ricky Martin's). Come out already. The water's fine.

The fourth selection was from the Jazz section. The Essential Artie Shaw. Artie died a few years ago, but back in the day, he was huge. He mostly did big band stuff, though he plays a killer clarinet.

Enough introduction. That, and I just remembered I'm supposed to be making potato salad for a BBQ tonight in the canyon. Better run. Once I take a listen, I'll report my findings back here.