T-198 : Dubitable Derricott?

Last year when I was in Portland for a week of training I spent some time one night at Powells, the famous and humongous bookstore.  As I wandered the aisles I came across the Religion section.  Of course I was drawn toward the Mormon shelf, cracked open a copy of The Book of Mormon, and was very surprised to see it inscribed with the name "Elder Derricott" with a phone number.  I should clarify that Powells also carries used books, of which this was one.  I gather that this Elder Derricott had given the book to an investigator, likely when he was on a mission.  At any rate, it was certainly surprising.  Have you ever stumbled upon evidence of someone that you must certainly be related to that you'd never met or even heard of?

T-199 : Special Lingo

I've been thinking a lot lately about unique language.  I realized that the terminology that I grew up with in church and some that I use in my everyday working environment in IT must seem foreign to some.

As I poked around the Internets I found a good glossary at  http://lds.about.com/library/glossary/blglossary.htm in case you're not familiar with our funky tongue.  Mitt Romney kept it pretty generic tonight in the few references he made to his faith.  I'm also in the middle of Dan Brown's Angels & Demons, which has some terms that I have to try to understand based on context.

At work there are about 70 people in IT.  At a general level we can all converse.  Each of us manages different products and services, though, each with their own terminologies.

With all the opportunities to miscommunicate that's exactly what I feel we have to guard against.  Be patient. Understand.  And communicate with hopes of being understood.  Understand?

T-200 : Podcast Pool

If you haven't ever listened to a podcast you're missing out.  I listen in the morning while I'm tubbing, at lunch while I'm walking, and at night as I'm falling asleep.  Here is a list and description of my favorites.  I'd like to hear your comments on my list and -- if you have favorites that are not on my list -- I'd like to hear about them, too.

• 60-Second Science -  Tune in every weekday for quick reports and commentaries on the world of science-- it'll just take a minute.
• Earth Sky 90-Second Podcast -  Join 15 million listeners worldwide every day for 90 seconds of science, nature and people.
• NPR Columns: Sports with Frank Deford -  NPR Morning Edition's Frank Deford gives weekly commentary on a cross section of the world of sports. Sometimes acerbic, often funny, always insightful.
• NPR: Hourly News Summary - Five minutes of NPR news, updated hourly. 
• Brain Stuff - Marshall brain explains the world's everyday mysteries and other puzzling phenomena in BrainStuff, a podcast from HowStuffWorks.com
• Get-it-Done Guy's Quick and Dirty Tips to Work Less and Do More - Get time management tips to help you organize your life and get more done in less time. 
• Money Girl's Quick and Dirty Tips for a Richer Life - Laura D. Adams is a personal finance expert who writes and hosts the Money Girl podcast. 
• Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing - In under five minutes, you'll get a fun and friendly dose of writing advice. Grammar Girl covers everything from punctuation and grammar to style and voice.
• Stuff You Should Know - In the Stuff You Should Know podcast, follow Chuck Bryant and Josh Clark (I love their banter) as they explain hot topics. 
• WNYC's Radiolab - Radiolab is a show about curiosity. Where sound illuminates ideas, and the boundaries blur between science, philosophy, and human experience. 
• NPR Programs: Fresh Air Podcast - Fresh Air from WHYY, the Peabody Award-winning weekday magazine of contemporary arts and issues, is one of public radio's most popular programs. 
• JapanCast - Free Japanese lessons in podcast format.
• 60 Minutes - Listen to the award-winning 60 Minutes broadcast in its entirety every week.
• Wait, Wait...Don't Tell Me - Peter Sagal and Carl Kasell host the weekly NPR News quiz show alongside some of the best and brightest.
• Tech Stuff - In the TechStuff Podcast, our experts take a look at the past, present and future of all things tech.
• Car Talk - America's funniest auto mechanics take calls from weary car owners all over the country, and crack wise.
• This American Life - Official free, weekly podcast of the award-winning radio show "This American Life." First-person stories and short fiction pieces that are touching.
• The Tech Guy - From computers and the Internet to cell phones, MP3 players, and home theater, no one explains technology better than Leo Laporte.

T-201 : Daily Duties

What Americans Actually Do All Day Long, In 2 Graphics

It's actually pretty accurate for me.  How about you?

http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2012/08/29/160244277/what-americans-actually-do-all-day-long-in-2-graphics?sc=emaf

T-202 : Conversant Clunker?

I don't fancy myself a strong conversationalist; especially if I'm expected to start the conversation and/or if the person on the other side is in any way difficult to converse with.  Thanks to those of you who make me feel comfortable.  Interestingly I came across this graphic and a related quote recently that I'll document here for my future reference, along with making it available to you for perusal:

"Ultimately the bond of all companionship,

whether in marriage or in friendship,

is conversation…"

~ Oscar Wilde

(1854-1900)

Whaddya say, mate?  Do you find me chatty?  Got any tips? 

T-203 : Hymnal Opening

I'm pretty competitive; Tara says to a fault.  As partial evidence, whether cause or effect, I remember trying to be the first one to open the hymnal to a certain page when it was announced over the pulpit.  I suppose part of the flames could have been fueled by scripture chasing in Seminary.  I prided myself in being able to guess approximately how many pages to grasp in my half-fist in an attempt to open as close to the exact page number as possible.  When I occasionally got it dead on I was near euphoric!

T-204 : Mended Scriptures

My scriptures have been wearing to the point that recently the binding actually came off and they nearly split in two.  I've coddled them along for years because I really like all of the markings I have in them.  I actually got a new smaller form factor set a few years ago as a gift but never could wean myself away from my trusted marked set.

I first bought them back in 1987 before I went on my mission.  That means they'll be 25 years old pretty soon.  I think I learned once that something that's 25 years old is an antique.  Does anyone know if that's true?

Anyway, to salvage my scriptures, Tara used some strategically-placed Shoe Goo.  They smelled pretty good for a few days!  Now they're almost as good as new.

T-205 : Electro Scriptures

Has anybody ever tried the LDS View software on their computer?  I've had the Gospel Library app on phones and the iPad but never the desktop.  In fact, I'm not sure if this is even a different app than that.  Either way, it looks pretty handy!

• LDS View is a Gospel Library reader program available for Windows^® desktop and laptop computers, and for Windows Mobile^® handheld devices and phones with a touch screen.

• The LDS View is available in English, French, German, Japanese, Portuguese, and Spanish.

• The Gospel Library currently includes the standard works in many languages.

• Earlier versions of LDS View were sold in LDS Distribution Centers under the title of The Scriptures: CD-ROM Edition.

• LDS View is not just a reader. It also has several, helpful tools for in-depth study.

• You can look for specific references, search for words or phrases from the scripture text, perform simple word frequency distribution studies, and study multiple languages in synchronized windows. 

• With the English Parallel Bible, you can look up English words and see the original Hebrew or Greek word with a brief definition.

• You can print, copy, or save the results of your searches. 

• You can also personalize your study by adding bookmarks, marking the scriptures with a highlighter, or making marginal notes unique to each user.

LDS View for desktop or laptop includes two different editions: Resource Edition and Standard Edition. Both editions use the same Gospel Library, but the Standard Edition uses a simplified user interface.  The Resource Edition uses multiple windows, menus, and dialogs, and has more study and analysis tools. When you install LDS View for desktop or laptop computers, an icon for each edition will appear on your desktop.

When you start LDS View, the Getting Started Tutorial will help you become familiar with the features of LDS View and how to use them. This tutorial is available on the Help menu. The Getting Started Tutorial is also available here as a PDF for each version of LDS View: Resource, Standard, and Windows Mobile.

T-206 : Rex Centric?

Since we moved to Rexburg I've had this notion that I want people to realize that we're now a resource for them when they visit BYU-Idaho or pass through to the sand dunes, Yellowstone, or Jackson Hole.  I always feel a little down when I find that someone has passed my way without passing by.  I suppose I shouldn't expect everyone I know to feel obligated to stop on their way to and fro.  Heaven knows there's plenty of people I've passed by in my travels, usually with the excuse that I'm too busy or that I don't want to put them out.  But, I'll officially state it here.  If you're not too busy, I'll never feel put out.  C'mon over!

T-207 : Can Do

Hunter Esplin shared this poem in church today:

It Couldn’t Be Done

Edgar Guest

Somebody said that it couldn’t be done,
     But, he with a chuckle replied
That "maybe it couldn’t," but he would be one
     Who wouldn’t say so till he’d tried.
So he buckled right in with the trace of a grin
     On his face. If he worried he hid it.
He started to sing as he tackled the thing
     That couldn’t be done, and he did it.
Somebody scoffed: "Oh, you’ll never do that;
     At least no one has done it";
But he took off his coat and he took off his hat,
     And the first thing we knew he’d begun it.
With a lift of his chin and a bit of a grin,
     Without any doubting or quiddit,
He started to sing as he tackled the thing
     That couldn’t be done, and he did it.
There are thousands to tell you it cannot be done,
     There are thousands to prophesy failure;
There are thousands to point out to you one by one,
     The dangers that wait to assail you.
But just buckle it in with a bit of a grin,
     Just take off your coat and go to it;
Just start to sing as you tackle the thing
     That "couldn’t be done," and you’ll do it.
from Collected Verse of Edgar Guest
NY:Buccaneer Books, 1976, pg. 285

I'm sure I'd heard it before.  But something about Hunter's delivery struck a chord that told me I needed to be reminded of this today.  Now you know (or have been reminded), too.

T-208 : Exfoliated Hook

 In today's tub I got my toe hook inadvertently connected to a bath scrubby.  At least I feel exfoliated!  I didn't even know what these things were called until googled "scrubby" and poked around a few websites.  Here's hoping that's the strangest thing I have hooked to my toe hook before it's removal on 9/17 (and counting).  What's the strangest thing you've ever had attached to a hook protruding from a body part?

T-209 : Bathing Beauty

I got the stitches in my toe removed today.  The pin gets to stay in for at least 3 more weeks.  That means that I still can't shower.  It's been a couple of weeks already since I've felt the warm drizzle and I was kind of hoping for it.  A pin-toed guy's gotta do what a pin-toed guy's gotta do, though.  Luckily we have bathtubs.  I feel like a little kid again when I bath.  I don't usually have time to enjoy it since I'm usually bathing in the morning before going to work.  Maybe I ought to wake up a little earlier and plan to stay a few minutes in the water playing with toy boats or something.

T-210 : Changes Afoot

"Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower."  ~ Albert Camus


Today Emily (7th Grade) and Erik (12th Grade) went back to school.
Tomorrow I go back to the doctor to see how the pin toe is taking.
There's also a big IT Division meeting to lay out a new organizational structure.
The Summer is also seeming to start to turn to Fall, while it's not officially here until 9/22.
Dieter F. Uchtdorf, in the July Ensign (http://www.lds.org/ensign/2012/07/always-in-the-middle?lang=eng), counseled us to stay focused amid change:

Being always in the middle means that the game is never over, hope is never lost, defeat is never final. For no matter where we are or what our circumstances, an eternity of beginnings and an eternity of endings stretch out before us.

Changes are afoot!  Stay the course!

T-211 : Wit Wall?

"Wit is the only wall between us and the dark." - Mark van Doren

I'm not sure I fully understand this thought but it is ponderous.  So, does that mean that if there were no wit that we might be in danger of being drawn to the dark side?

I had to look up "wit" to find out what it really meant.  I wasn't sure the difference between "wit" and "humor".  According to Wikipedia:

Wit is a form of intellectual humor, and is the ability to say or write things that are clever and usually funny.^[1] A wit is a person skilled at making clever and funny remarks.^[2]Forms of wit include the quip and repartee.

Forms of wit

As in the wit of Dorothy Parker's set, the Algonquin Round Table, witty remarks may be intentionally cruel (as in many epigrams), and perhaps more ingenious than funny.

A quip is an observation or saying that has some wit but perhaps descends into sarcasm, or otherwise is short of point; a witticism also suggests the diminutive. Repartee is the wit of the quick answer and capping comment: the snappy comeback and neat retort. (Wilde: "I wish I'd said that." Whistler: "You will, Oscar, you will".)^[3]

[edit]Wit in poetry

Wit in poetry is characteristic of metaphysical poetry as a style, and was prevalent in the time of English playwright Shakespeare, who admonished pretension with the phrase "Better a witty fool than a foolish wit".^[4] It may combine word play with conceptual thinking, as a kind of verbal display requiring attention, without intending to be laugh-aloud funny; in fact wit can be a thin disguise for more poignant feelings that are being versified. English poet John Donne is the representative of this style of poetry.^[5]

[edit]Further meanings

More generally, one's wits are one's intellectual powers of all types. Native wit — meaning the wits with which one is born — is closely synonymous with common sense. To live by one's wits is to be an opportunist, but not always of the scrupulous kind. To have one's wits about one is to be alert and capable of quick reasoning. To be at the end of one's wits is to be immensely frustrated.

I like being intellectually humorous.  I like saying things that are clever and usually funny.  I want to be skilled at making clever and funny remarks.  I should be careful that my wit doesn't come off as intentionally cruel.  If you ever thought I was more ingenious than funny would you tell me?

T-212 : Pin Toe

Today I went back to work for the first day in a week.  In unrelated news my wrapped toe slowly began getting looser since yesterday.  I had bad dreams last night that it was falling off.  I don't know what I thought the big deal was.  Tonight I ended up just pulling it off because it was so loose.  Before I had Tara wrap it up again in her homestead way I took a picture of it.  Alas, since my camera phone has very little storage I emailed it here and promptly deleted it; only to find out that it never actually arrived.  So, your accompanying picture for this post is a simple graphic I was able to find on the Internets showing what it probably looks like if you have x-ray vision.  Of course you'll have to imaging that it's the big toe, not the little one as in the diagram.  I can hardly wait for my appointment on Thursday to see what the next step is.  I want prognosis!

T-213 : Brigham Hydrants

When I was much younger there was a magical place we often drove through which had painted fire hydrants.  The simple joy of seeing each one painted with different colors and faces was a pleasure akin to looking at Christmas lights; only these were there year-round!

Do you remember the Brigham hydrants?

Anyone know if they're still painted?

What other magical things do you remember as a kid?

T-214 : Fountain Spark

The other day I was shocked when I got a drink of water from the public fountain.  I don't mean that anything out-of-the-ordinary happened to cause emotional distress.  I mean that I was literally sparked upon my lips as I bent down toward the stream of liquid.  I could have been electrocuted!

T-215 : Scattergorically Supreme

Tonight was Tara's turn for Family Home Evening activity.  We played Scattergories.  After a slow start I came back and dominated.  I have a history of being too competitive.  I've been getting better at that as I age but I still have some work to do in enjoying the game during its duration even if the ending does not produce a victory.  

Do you have any ideas that might help me be a better non-competitive passenger?  

Can you guess the categories based on my answers in the photo at left?

T-216 : Journal Justification

"There is no satisfaction that can compare with looking back across the years and finding you've grown in self-control, judgment, generosity, and unselfishness." - Ella Wheeler Wilcox

I spent a great deal of time today organizing old photos into folders on the computer; even posting some to facebook for family to postulate on dates, etc.  It was enjoyable.  Ella kind of sums it up with her thought in my mind.  That's why we journal/diary/blog/genealogize, right?

T-217 : Parental Guidance

The first paragraph in our Priesthood lesson today has stuck with me, one phrase in particular (highlighted):

"As a child, George Albert Smith learned the importance of honoring the Sabbath day. Often on Sundays a group of neighborhood boys would come to his house after Sunday School to invite him to play ball. “I was like the boys,” he said. “I thought it would be lots of fun to play ball and to play other games. But I had a wonderful mother. She did not say, ‘You cannot do it,’ but she did say: ‘Son, you will be happier if you do not do that. …’ I want to tell you I am grateful for that kind of training in the home.”¹ The impact of his mother’s teachings can be seen in President Smith’s frequently reminding the Saints that keeping the Sabbath day holy brings great blessings."

That's motherly wisdom right there.  I feel like that's something I can get better at as a parent; explaining the consequences then letting them choose.

T-218 : Weight Wait

Today I stumbled across an article about 7 foods that help you lose weight (http://www.caring.com/articles/seven-foods-lose-weight).  I don't feel like losing weight is as important as maintaining a healthy weight as part of being overall fit.  I did find it interesting, though, that 6 of the 7 foods mentioned are part of my breakfast regimen:

1. Oats

2. Eggs

3. Skim milk

4. Apples

5. Red meat

6. Cinnamon

7. Almonds and almond butter

I'd better keep it up.  I've been getting a bit soft since my toe injury has kept me from exercising for a few weeks now.

T-219 : Unbelievable Beliefs?

Today I finished reading "The Articles of Faith", by James Talmage.  It's basically twenty-four lectures, twenty-two of which were ultimately delivered to college audiences, treating the basic tenets of LDS belief. The lectures were then published by the church as The Articles of Faith, the only authorized, book-length explication of Mormon doctrine.  There are some things I can't believe, like how the stuff in some yellow tubs tastes so much like butter!  But, these are the things that I do believe:  

The Articles of Faith
of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

1. We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
2. We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam's transgression.
3. We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
4. We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
5. We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.
6. We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.
7. We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.
8. We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.
9. We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.
10. We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.
11. We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.
12. We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.
13. We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.

Can you believe it?

T-220 : Routine Maintenance

I like routines and see value in them.  I sometimes have tendencies, though, to let them get the best of me.  When does a routine become a bad habit or addiction vs a strong tradition?  And what of the related terms: autogenetic, habitual, impulsive, instinctive, instinctual, intuitive, involuntary, knee-jerk, mechanical, natural, perfunctory, reflex, spontaneous, unconscious, unforced, unintentional, unmeditated, unthinking, unwilled?  Is it when we can't turn around without help that we've crossed the line?  Don't worry.  I'm not about to spring any skeletons from my closet on you.  I'm simply a ponderous guy who started daily documentation blogging a bit more often and these are the types of things that went through my head today.  By the way, tonight was all but routine as we volunteered at the book wagon at the county fair.  Tomorrow will be more of the same as we'll be volunteering at the clothing issue counter at the temple from 5-9am.  Maybe I'll take a routine nap after that! :)

T-221 : Curious Compassion

My way of expressing compassion is often to try to inject humor into the situation to lighten the mood.  I don't mean to make light of the situation. I suppose I should be more cognizant of when to utilize humor and when to utilize other things like a thoughtful look or a touch.  If anyone has any tips specifically for me, my heart is open...at least until I think of a witty retort. :)

T-222 : Prevention Ounces

It occurred to me recently that my decision to wait so long to go to the doctor about my toe is not all that different than the decision I made while driving home from Florida near Ozark, Arkansas years ago when I kept trying to go to one more exit to find cheaper gas only to finally run out and end up a day late and $1000 poorer.  Who knows how much the toe is going to cost.  Both experiences have been good for me.  They're helping me realize that I actually need to be less tolerant at times when action is needed.  I pride myself on my tolerance.  But, just like anything, too much of it can be detrimental.  Somewhere between tolerance and rashness is where we all ought to be, right?

T-223 : Home Values

What I value most about my current home is the fact that it's so much more than a house.  It certainly has a lot of curb appeal and niceties inside and out.  But it's the work that we've put into it since moving in almost exactly 3 years ago today that makes it our home.  What would it be without family?  Tara has done a masterful job in the lawn and garden department; even delegating tasks to us and the kids.  My normal job is to drive around every square inch of green once a week or so with my blades down.  We've also managed to establish some routines and traditions that are part of the glue that holds us together.  What do you value most about your current home?

T-224 : Snollygoster Slangers

I watched a TED talk today about the term "snollygoster", which is a politician who lies, if I caught the gist.  I might need an attitude adjustment and/or education from someone who knows better than I but I think of the terms "politician" and "liar" as often synonymous.  Help me understand better if you can.

Anyway, later today I read this article from Mental Floss - one of my favorite websites - with 19 other words and phrases not normally heard.  I'll add my 2 cents to the article by using each word/phrase in a sentence.  You can either laugh, argue, or sit idly by:

1. In the ketchup: Operating at a deficit
   Sometimes I fear that our budget is in the ketchup.  I'm glad that Tara keeps track of these things for us.
2. John Hollowlegs: A hungry man [hobo use]
   There's not many times during the day that I'm not John Hollowlegs.  Luckily I've learned the value of eating the right things and exercising.  I'm still working on losing those last 10-20 pounds but at least I'm not 50 pounds overweight anymore.
3. Lobbygow: One who loafs around an opium den in hopes of being offered a free pipe
   I suppose times are different now since I think it's generally agreed that opium dens are harmful to long-term health but I wonder if I'd have had the tendency to be a lobbygow if I'd been born back in the day.
4. Happy cabbage: A sizable amount of money to be spent on self-satisfying things
   Who wouldn't want happy cabbage?
5. Zib: A nondescript nincompoop
   Do you think I'm a zib?
6. Give someone the wind: To jilt a suitor with great suddenness
   I don't think I've ever given someone the wind.  Unless I'm mistaken it's a female thing.
7. The zings: A hangover
   I've never had alcohol -- unless that rum ball I ate by accident at a Signal Mountain Lodge party counts -- so I've never had the zings.  Could one possibly get the zings from something besides drugs or alcohol; like sugar, or even an overabundance of any substance?
8. Butter and egg man: A wealthy, unsophisticated, small-town businessman who tries to become a playboy, especially when visiting a large city
   I like to think I've never been a butter and egg man.
9. Cluck and grunt: Eggs and ham
   I do like green cluck and grunt!
10. Off the cob: Corny
    My sense of humor could often likely be described as off the cob.
11. Dog robber: A baseball umpire
    Dog robbers don't get much respect but I'd hate to see the day when we abolish them totally in favor of technology.
12. Happies: Arch supporters [shoe salesman use]
    My fallen arches react better when I have happies in my shoes.
13. High-wine: A mixture of grain alcohol and Coca-Cola [hobo use]
    I've always been taught to avoid high-wine.
14. Flub the dub: To evade one's duty
    It's taken me a long time to learn not to flub the dub.  I still sometimes resort to the behavior but feel like I've learned a great deal about doing my part over the years.
15. Donkey's breakfast: A straw mattress
    I'm thankful I don't have to sleep on donkey's breakfast.
16. George Eddy: A customer who does not tip
    I'm rarely a George Eddy but I do shave percentage points if I don't sense a concerted effort by my waitperson.
17. Wet sock: A limp, flaccid handshake
    When someone gives me a wet sock I do my best to encourage them to try again.
18. Gazoozle: To cheat
    I'm confident neither Tara nor I will ever gazoozle on each other.
19. On a toot: On a drunken spree
    Again, aside from alcohol, could one conceivably go on a toot from another substance?

I can't wait to hear from you.

T-225 : Pressure Popping

Tara canned green beans today.  At dinner when I heard the "pop" indicating that a jar was pressurizing to form a vacuum seal I remarked to hear what a good sound that was.  It's pleasing in that it's indicative of the work that went into turning a seed into a plant into a harvest-able item that can be preserved in such a way as to be available for years to come from a shelf in the pantry.  What simple sounds give you simple pleasure?

T-226 : Postop Plankton

I had my second surgery in 7 days today.  Apparently it was successful.  I was anesthetized again, of course.  So, the only thing I remember after being wheeled to the operating room is opening my eyes in my prep/recovery room.   The first thing I saw was Plankton, a character on the SpongeBob SquarePants cartoon television show; which Tara had supposedly just turned to right before I was wheeled back in.  I was also told that I was wheeled in sitting up, having been roused to some state of awareness in a room between the operating room and the final recovery room.  I remember none of that.  I stand by my claim that I was roused to final consciousness by an imaginary sea creature and/or the show in which he appears.  If nothing else, it makes an alliterative title for this blog post.  Anyway, the rest of the day was spent almost entirely at home recuperating.  I feel much better than I did last week.  I felt relatively OK then but did get nauseated enough to throw up twice.  Today, so far at least, I've managed to keep everything down and have felt little to no pain.

T-227 : Free Surgery!

I went back to the doctor today for the first time since my surgery last Wednesday to see how the toe was healing.  After x-rays he said he didn't see any change at all.  In other words, the surgery failed.  I'm going in the morning to have a pin inserted lower into the bone than the attempted pin from last week.  He abandoned the attempt hoping that the bone would just stay in place on its own.  Since it didn't, he's going to resort to inserting it in a lower place in the bone that will damage more cartilage but it's the best remaining option.  If this doesn't take, fusing the end 2 bones in the "great toe" is the next best option.  I'm optimistic. The good news is that the doctor was disappointed enough that it didn't work that he actually said he failed me and that he wouldn't charge me for either the first or the second surgery!  Every toe has a silver lining...or something like that.  Wish me luck!

T-228 : Captcha Indexing

If you've never indexed names at www.FamilySearch.org I realized the other day that it's a lot like typing a "captcha" on a website that wants you to prove to them that you're not a computer by requiring the user to type letters or digits from a distorted image that appears on the screen.  Try it out today at https://familysearch.org/volunteer/indexing/.

This is not a paid advertisement.

T-229 : Reunion Aftermath

We just spent a long weekend in Montana at a family reunion with about 75 of Tara's relatives from her dad's side.  I knew most of them from past reunions and events.  There was some talk of sharing pictures and videos in Dropbox.  I'm up for it but need a little momentum from other folks.  I've got some of the videos I took -- including Jacob's Talent-Show Winning Snowman Song, Tara's Rindercella, and some fireside memories uploaded on my YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/tonyderricott?feature=guide.  It got me thinking about reunions on my side.  When is it time to switch from the Grandma/Grandpa generation to the Mom/Dad generation?  I don't think there's any one answer that will fit all.  Anyone out there in the Sharon/George-Elsie or the Delmar/Wayne-Grace camp care to comment?

T-230 : Open Redulion?

I had toe surgery today.  I was originally schedule to go in at noon.  They called last night and asked me to come in at 9:00 a.m.  Then they called again this morning around 7:00 a.m. saying that they'd had a cancellation and asking if I could come in as soon as possible.  We left the house around 7:30 a.m.  At the hospital I got to experience a number of things I'd never experienced before.  I remember a hospital robe that made my chest sweat, initialing my toe with a purple Sharpie (with a bonus witness-initial by the nurse) an EKG, an IV, and something they slipped in the IV just before being wheeled to the surgery room that was advertised as likely knocking me unconscious within 15 seconds.  I'm quite sure it did just that.  They apparently wheeled me to surgery around 8:30 a.m. then back to the recovery room around 10:15 a.m.  I dozed off and on for a couple of hours before I was wheel-chaired out to the car to be chauffeured home by Tara after stopping briefly to pick up a walking boot and some pain medication prescriptions.  I've been so relaxed since then.  The pain medicine is really doing a good job.  I've only felt brief discomfort in the toe region all day.  A side "benefit" is the slothfulness that's been thrust upon me by hydrocodone/acetaminophen.  In some small sense I can understand the appeal of drug use; not that I in any way condone it.  It feels pretty good right now, though.

So, I do have one question for any of you with more knowledge than I of handwriting recognition and/or medical terminology.  On the ID bracelet (pictured) is written a number of words that I mostly recognize but can't quite make one out.  Here's what I think it says:

"Open Redulion R (circled, meaning Right) great toe dislocation"

The question, then, is what "Redulion" means?  I googled "Redulion", "Rodulion", "Redulron", and "Rodulron" without much success.  What am I missing?

T-231 : Kimball Stairs

I realized recently that I take for granted that there is a museum-quality display of Spencer W. Kimball artifacts at the top of the stairs that I climb usually multiple times daily.  Perhaps I'll take close-ups of some of the items at a future date.  What cool things do you have around you that you might take for granted?

T-232 : Crosswalk Mosey

Does it bother you when you have to wait longer than normal when you're in the car and someone's moseying across the crosswalk?

Do you walk a little faster when there's a car waiting for you to get across the crosswalk?

Does it make a difference if you're "jaywalking"?

Does it make a difference if the pedestrian near your car is "jaywalking"?

T-233 : Tony Toe

In case you hadn't heard, I hurt my toe a couple of weeks ago playing lunchtime soccer on campus.  I hoped beyond hope that it was a sprain that would eventually heal.  I finally went to the doctor on Friday.  He tried his darndest to wrench the dislocation back in place but -- even after 3 shots of numbing agent through different spots in the toe -- it wouldn't give.  So, I get to pay extra for the experience of being cut open.

I got a special hospital bracelet today.  I had some pre-op blood work done prior to my planned toe surgery on Wednesday.  I can only let words like "pre-op blood work" roll off my tongue because of all the hospital drama shows I watched growing up as a kid.  It'll be my first surgery.  Wish me luck!

T-234 : Hymnal Hunting

The hymnals in our chapel in Preston -- originally the 1st Ward then later the 5th Ward; and shared with the 8th Ward -- many of the hymnals had penned in the margins instructions to turn to different pages.  Once one  got to said page there was an instruction to go to yet another different page.  I don't remember what the end result but I do remember that on one hand it was a fun diversion while on the other hand it was "evil" of the person who desecrated the hymnal in that way.  Was I alone?  Did this happen in your chapel?  Does it still happen today?

T-235 : KartKrash Tara

Yesterday we visited Tara's brother, Kent.  He'd built a go-kart over the past year and brought it out for us to see and try.  It's not a powered go kart like you pay to race around a track down at the local family fun center.  It's more like a soapbox derby car.  You have to start at the top of the hill and then steer with your feet and the attached rope.  The key is to steer gradually.  Tara didn't quite get it on the first try...

She redeemed herself on the second run.  You'll just have to imagine it, though, as no video evidence was recorded.

What's the funnest kid-fun thing you've done lately?

T-236 : Baptism Redux

No.  I'm not getting re-baptized.  We went to a niece's baptism today and one of the speakers commented on how she felt when she was baptized; that she wanted to be baptized again and again because she felt at that moment so good.  This thought resonated with me because I remember thinking that same thing when I was baptized 36ish years ago.  The beauty of it is I believe that I can have that same feeling each week when I take the sacrament if I'm truly penitent and focused.  What do you think?  What's the best way for you to clear your head and get in touch with your best self?

T-237 : Day Documentation

We've had family time each night before bed for a long time. We always pray right before we leave the family room for bed. We usually finish up the time right before that with some sort of scriptural discussion. Recently we've gathered around the computer with the big screen monitor to watch online videos collected from some of my RSS feeds. Last night we talked about doing a little more in the day documentation department. We plan to take time each night to journal or blog. Emily's not quite old enough to have her own account so I just set her up under mine. Here's our addresses:

• Tony: http://tonyderricott.blogspot.com/
• Tara: http://taraderricott.blogspot.com/
• Jacob: http://jacobderricott.blogspot.com/
• Erik: http://erikderricott.blogspot.com/
• Emily: http://emilyderricott.blogspot.com/

Notice the trend?
By the way, how do you decide whether to enter a thought into your personal journal or your more public blog?
Subscribe and comment.