March Madness

It's almost that most wonderful of times when brackets are king and bandwidth is wasted; yes, the NCAA Tournament (basketball of course) is almost upon us. With that comes the right/ritual of filling out your bracket and competing with others for braggin rights...some for money I hear. If you want to join our bragging rights competition either leave a message here with an email I can send an invitation or send me an email.

Also, this link will help you keep up on all the action and the action you want to watch http://mmod.ncaa.com/email/notify . It is great and I have used this service for the past few years to keep up on what's happening.

Book Club and Books

So our book club has been in existence for 1 month. We even talked about the book for about 45 Min. in our virtual meeting space. I had fun reading the book and then talking about it. I have decided (for my own recollections) to list the books I have read this year and a rating of the book. I am trying to read the book from our book club and then when done read one of the books Ty is reading. Jan = success. We will see how the year progresses.

Book Club

At a recent family gathering we discussed doing a book club. We know that all of us are spread out across the west and cannot meet in one location to talk books. I have put a yahoo group together to be able to have a one stop source for books we are reading, chat times and places, and any other info we want to share. I sent out an invite to those I thought would be interested. If you did not receive one I apologize for not thinking to send it out to you but if you are interested in joining there is a sign up link to the right of the page. We aren't the biggest brains in the world (at least I am not) so don't expect the books to be ultra-literary in nature. Expect more fiction that is entertaining. However, we will sneak in the occasional brainy book or spiritual book to make sure we are human still.

Thanksgiving

While there will be many blogs that seriously document thanks, I will go with my personality and go with the below. However, I do want to let everyone know that I am thankful for my family, health, America, the gospel, and extended family (order not necessarily in top to bottom etc.)

Thanks---
--I am thankful Michael Vick is in jail. This is only because there should be so many more NFLers in the Pokey and it's nice that a deserved occupant is there. Playmakers...remember remember.

--I am thankful I haven't watched biggest loser this year...my life is just fine without it.

--I am thankful the Clippers still stink and the Lakers are doing well

--I am thankful grateful for the daily delight and sarcasm of my favorite radio host Steve Czaban (foxsports radio and www.czabe.com)

--I am thankful for more delight and sarcastic comedy of the Office, Earl, and 30 Rock
--I am thankful for ABC bringing Scrubs to me...curse you NBC (evil shout inserted here)

--I am thankful I didn't read 'twilight' before the movie so I didn't want to stand in line with a bunch of 13 year old girls screaming and fawning...almost makes me not want to read the book but don't worry I still will.

--I am thankful I did not end up completley tanking in Fantasy Football (as of today I make the "playoffs")

--I am thankful I am such a nerd - makes life a bit more fun

Gobble Gobble

Work Halloween

Not many dressed up but we have pictures of those that did.

Justin (RI) and Zar (RI) - as Joker and business woman catwoman??

Kristin (CY) as Peg Bundy from Married with Children

Tamara (CY) as a boxer.

Maggie (CY) as a butterfly

Donnie (CY) as Capt. Jack in the Box Sparrow (can't see the pirate garb very well)

My Part

So although I have been doing things to help on the grassroots level to promote a Yes vote on Proposition 8, the broadcast last night pushed me to use the blog as another help. I know that most that even look here are family and they feel the same way I do but, I want to let all know I support traditional marriage and that I want that being taught to my children. I may not always be the best person to answer all the questions so I will include links that should help. If you disagree this isn't meant to offend but rather to show my opinion and support for what I believe. Thanks for your understanding. If you have questions let me know and I will share how I feel.

Voting - I know that there is a lot of apathy about voting this year because the candidates we have are less than stellar. This may tempt people to avoid voting but I urge all---Vote! The most important things to vote on are propositions, state assemblymen, senators, congressmen etc. If you feel the need to avoid a presidential vote resist and vote for all other things. VOTE!

If you aren't registered to vote register before October 20, 2008 (those in california) If you are outside california check the link to see when your deadline is. All can use the link to register. http://www.justvote.org

Links:

http://www.preservingmarriage.org/

http://www.protectmarriage.com/

http://www.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/media/mediaplayer.swf?media=http://broadcast.lds.org/newsroom/video/flv/Prop_8_Young_People_Master_150k.flv&type=FLV

Tech Obsession

I try to resist but like "Syler" from Heroes, I have "the Hunger". If you don't watch Heroes, get season 1 on DVD then Season 2 (because we all know watching 1 first then 2 is the way to go... haha) and enjoy this Geeky superhero movie (Michelle's opinion doesn't count on this issue). Anyway, the hunger or feeling of getting new tech toys.

I have lately been really wanting an X-Box 360 and with the Rat Story it made the itch go more. But, in conference it was reiterated for the 9,000th time to be financially smart. So buying an xbox 360 for catching a mouse is not what most of the sane world would consider smart. So, with that and, more importantly, Michelle saying that we should wait till Christmas sales and do a Christmas gift I will resist of spending foolishly...for now (see Syler from Heroes).

Speaking of Heroes here is my TV wasting time log for 2008 (The below is from last year and not a lot has changed. Shows in italics are forgotten from last year or new to this year:

Comedy:
Office - NBC
My Name is Earl - NBC
30 Rock - NBC
Psych - USA - Hilarious - run new episodes in Januaryish and Juneish
Monk - USA - same as above
Scrubs - NBC (update - last season was the last :(. ) Ultra update (WILL BE ON ABC THIS YEAR!!) dumb nbc didn't want it back
Simpsons (I don't get to watch much but always great!) - FOX
Biggest Loser --- :-) - NBC - (Update - for some reason I cannot stand this show anymore)
Don't Forget the Lyrics - FOX - where else can I put this?

Action / cop drama / ??
Life - NBC -- (update, quickly becoming one of my favorites)
Heroes - NBC
In Plain Sight - USA
Biggest Loser :-) - NBC - (update - see above)
24 - FOX (update - coming in November?? odd, haven't read up on why)
Chuck - NBC

Drama
Lost - ABC
Biggest Loser - NBC - (update - see above)
Amazing Race - CBS - Not sure where to put this either, but love it.
Shark - CBS (really just a fluff show but fun sometimes) -- update CANCELLED

Show / Shows I think would be good or sound good
Pushing Daisies - ABC
The Unit - CBS
Jailbreak or whatever - FOX - Mckay loves it I can't remember the name

Sometimes
Cold Case - CBS
Criminal Minds
Ugly Betty (not a fav but a show Michelle and I can watch together)
Without a Trace

Not sure yet shows
Bionic Woman - NBC - update CANCELLED

Shows to avoid like the plague
Deal or No Deal
Bachelor - ABC
Desperate Housewives - ABC
Private Practice - ABC
Cavemen - ABC -- update Cancelled
Any CSI - CBS
Any other comedy other than well...any comedy on CBS
Any other Drama on ABC