Idaho Bound

Here I come!

I accepted a job offer from the BYU Idaho Information Technology Department as a Technical Support Specialist in the Desktop Support Division today. I start January 5, 2009.

Anybody wanna buy a house in Montana?

Healthy Tooting

I jotted some notes down in Sacrament Meeting last Sunday. Whether they're mad ramblings or wise inspiration I don't yet know. I'll attempt to reproduce them here and let y'all be the judge(s) with your comments.

Concept: Tooting Your Own Horn
Some people say, "I'm not one to toot my own horn...". Some genuinely believe this as they say it. I'm beginning to think this may be a bit on the unhealthy side of the moderation between pride and humility. Others use the phrase to preface their comments with vain humility as they then proceed to toot ad nauseum. (That's Greek for too much) Moderate tooting should include journal keeping and has much to do with one's self-esteem.

I feel like there have been times in my life when I've tooted too much. I fear that too often, though, I don't toot enough. What do you think? Am I a tooter or a stifler?

You know me well enough to comment. Scratch my back this one time and I promise to comment on your blog when you present a similar poser.

Lazy Father

I cleaned off my desk today and found a Father's Day card I've been saving, meaning to scan so that I could save it for posterity's sake. To the right you see the outside of the card. Since I don't have much more to write I think I'll wait a day or two to post the inside.

Any guesses on what it says inside?

Blog Eagle

Jason Schallenberger asked me to present his Eagle Scout Award and give the Eagle Challenge during the Court of Honor tonight. It was an honor. It's also always an honor and I'm humbled to be able to sit with other Eagle Scouts in the Eagles' Nest. Tonight is was myself, Weston Harmon, Loyd Rennaker, and Dwain Schallenberger. Thanks, Jason.

I was reminded of my days in Scouting 25 years ago. I commented to a few people tonight - as I often do at occasions such as this - that I don't think I'd have earned the award without my mom. I'm sure my dad helped. I'm sure my leaders helped. But I think my mom was integral to placing me in the situation. Thanks, Mom.

Education Weak?

As is becoming an annual tradition I went to BYU-Idaho Education Week this past Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. I know that's only 3 days, which is technically less than a week. That's not the point of the story, though, so just let it go!

This year Tara came again after a brief absence last year due to last-minute Girls Camp schedule changes. It was much better for me with her there. I was even able to resist the urge to pick a different class than she did just for the sake of difference and/or trying to maximize our learning by spreading ourselves out and sharing notes later; which has proven not to be as fruitful as hoped in the past. In other words, we actually went to a couple of classes together; which was good.

Jacob also went with us this year. I think there was a little too much "adult education" for his tastes but he did comment in prayer tonight that he was thankful that he could learn more about how to become a better person. Tara and I talked during one walk between classes about how nice it would be if he only gained one thing from the weekend -- and future "Education Weeks" -- that he could look back on with positive memories. Next year Erik will be able to go, too. I think that will be even better for both of them.

Anyway, as to the title of the post, it's basically a comment on how weak my education is outside the 3 days in Rexburg. The things I learn there have a recharging effect on me, as if what I learn the other 362 days/year don't equal. I'm sure that's partly said because it's so fresh in my mind at the moment and that the feeling will fade in time. That's what blogs/journals are for me, though; to capture snapshots in time that I can look back at later and remember the feelings I felt at said moments.

How do you like my amateur snapshot of the temple, too?

Dad's Little Notes

Dad will often send us little news article clippings. They usually come with notations or separate notes, as this one did today:

"Dear Tara 'n Tony-

I thought that this article about a high school young man may be of interest to you -

Oh - some of my tulips started poking up their little leaves the other day, but I quickly grabbed my little rubber mallet and promptly pounded them back. I have no idea why they jumped up like that! Then - a few days later, they popped up again! I just threw up my arms in quiet exasperation - 'Oh, go on!' I replied. God Blee you all. Dad "D"

Do you have a kitty, yet?"

I, for one, sure enjoy Dad's little notes.

Prophet Ears

I went to the General Priesthood Session with Jacob and Erik tonight. We all really enjoyed President Monson's story about wiggling his ears. Hopefully the transcript will be posted somewhere soon so you can read it, too, if you didn't already hear it.

Home Boy

Today was a bank holiday. Some people think we have a lot of them. Regardless, I stayed home all day. I did shower. But I did not go outside but once to see if I'd left my scriptures in my truck. Alas, they weren't there so I must have left them at the church. Anyway, I was able to get some things done at home today that have been lingering undone for months:

• Cleaned/organized/simplified/discarded the COMPUTX area of the basement.
• Refurbished 2 used computers to factory state (with Windows XP). Anybody want some?

I think I'll go back to work tomorrow, though.

Conferring Youth

I went to the first Youth Conference Committees Planning Meeting today. I'm in charge of the Registration and Housing Committee. Are you interested in housing youth? Sounds like we're going to have about 300 in attendance from all over Western Montana; from Whitefish in the North to Darby in the South.

Church Change

We started going to church at 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. today. It made for a longer afternoon. I kind of liked it. We had been going from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.