I thought this was pretty funny. So, I had to post it. I think that at many times in our society we encourage ‘in-the-box’ thinking. Especially in schools. But hey, such is life, right?
Oh, and in other news, I was waiting to re-register applyclan.com, because it was a good domain, and it seems that some automated thing bought it instead… So I’m kind of angry. We’ll have to see if it’ll let me buy it back.
Carne Asada was something that I was introduced to while spending tons of time with the Hispanic people in Arizona. And I have to say that I certainly don’t regret getting to know it. It’s stellar. It’s incredibly tasty and very versatile. It can be ripped apart with a tortilla and smothered with salsa, beans, and rice. Or, if you feel so inclined, guacamole, cilantro, and other things may be added as well. The point is, you can eat it just about however you want, and it will taste amazing in any way.
Anyway, this recipe was found a little while ago in the Deseret News, and I figured that since I didn’t necessarily have a recipe, I might as well keep this one. Then it sat on my wall for awhile and I decided that it should be removed from there. What better place to store it than on the internet? The internet is an amazing place. Now I can share it and recycle the paper, all at the same time!
I’m writing this post because Garfield wanted to say happy Halloween to everybody. ’tis a good day, I have to say.
Don’t die, it’s bad for you. Oh, and so is eating a ton of candy.
One other thing… If you donate blood on Halloween, they give you a cool pin that says ‘Holiday Hero’ on it, with a witch and all. It’s pretty sweet.
Anyway, that’s the end of my billions of random paragraphs. Have a jolly good day, everybody.
Today, while I was driving the last stretch of my journey home from Provo, I noticed something that I had never seen before. As we all know, this time of year, every couple of years, the world seems to magically fill up with signs bearing various names. For the most part, at least at the beginning, these names are unrecognizeable. But as time wears on, we come to recognize various signs, having seen them hundreds of times.
That’s the case with me right now. The signs have been up long enough that I could call out the names of nearly all the candidates for nearly all the offices, just off the top of my head.
But something that truly surprised me today was a new sign, one that I hadn’t seen before. But it was bearing a somewhat familiar name, one that has run for president in every election that I can recall, though his name has rarely been heard more than a few times. He even switches parties occasionally… Not that it really matters. We all know that there are two parties that hold the publicity… And the votes.
As I’m sure you’ve noticed, his name is Ralph Nader. Who knows exactly what drives him to keep running, but you’ve got to appreciate his perseverance. He’s always there for me, if I need someone else to vote for. Maybe, one day, he’ll actually get somewhere with that. Maybe. Though I suppose I probably shouldn’t get my hopes up.
Oh, and plus, I can’t vote for him now… As I’ve already voted. But I’m sure he’ll be there next election.
And I doubt I’d vote for him, anyway. I’ve heard people comment that it would simply be ‘throwing my vote away.’ And I’d have to agree. Plus, I don’t have the slightest idea what his views are. Maybe it would be a good idea to check that out.
But, the point is, through all my rambling, if you can’t stand voting for either McCain or Obama, you’ve always got Ralph. He’s there for you.
In the past few years, I have tried to remain a fencesitter in the constant duel between Brigham Young University and the University of Utah. But this neutrality seems to be coming to an end. Rather, I just realized yesterday that I’m not so much a U of U fan. Not to say that the U of U succeeding makes me unhappy… But just that it would make me happier if BYU were succeeding.
I realized this yesterday when I was invited by my good friend, Bufu, to attend the BYU game with him. I rather much enjoyed it, and while I was there I realized that I would not have held the same amount of optimism if I had been at a U of U game. I mean, at a U game, I would certainly root for the U (provided they weren’t playing against BYU), but I have decided that I truly enjoy the color blue more than red. It’s just a fact of life. Plus, since I attend BYU, I suppose that I have a duty to be a fan.
Anyway, I really enjoyed the game yesterday. Like the concert that I posted about awhile back, going to live events just holds a special something for me. I assume that it’s the same for just about everyone. I mean, just seeing it live makes a huge difference. There’s a different feeling at a live event.
I do, however, regret that BYU didn’t perform better against UNLV. I was especially disappointed when I texted ChaCha and received the answer that they weren’t even ranked. And yet, somehow, BYU barely managed to hold them off for the win. And do I ever mean barely…
But hey, it made the game more exciting. Had it been a shutout, I suppose that I wouldn’t have been quite as interested toward the end. Okay, I most certainly would not have been. So, in that way it was good.
Anyway, it was good fun. And don’t hate me for being a BYU fan. It’s just who I am.
Yes, that’s right. This weekend, I experienced the coldest day that I have in quite a long time. It was a day unequaled by any in Arizona. And therefore I am happy.
I like cold. I like snow. So, I was happy.
But, I was not here. I do believe that it snowed here. But I didn’t see the snow here. I spent this last weekend in a stunning part of Idaho, enjoying cold weather and preparing my family’s cabin for winter. It was glorious. Absolutely glorious. Plus, I found the perfect way to make s’mores when the only fire is inaccessible (or, rather, nearly so)… Believe it or not, a quality s’more can be made with a microwave. I’ll even include the recipe.
Ingredients: 1 full graham cracker, broken in half (to form 2 squares; 2 puffy marshmallows; some chocolate (an amount equivalent to 2 pieces of a Hershey’s chocolate bar)
Directions:
I hope that works for you. It worked beautifully for me. Tastiest thing ever.
While I was reviewing the candidates available for my vote in this coming election, I realized something rather ridiculous. You see, under the category for ‘Governor’ and ‘Lieutenant Governor’, I found a rather surprising name, that of “Superdell” Dell Schanze.
Am I the only one somewhat frightened by this? As I investigated further, I happened upon his blog. There, I found the wonderful statment, “
Depending on who becomes president I very well could be the last hope of liberty and freedom on earth.”
I sure hope not. If so, I may as well drive a limo filled with explosives off a nearby cliff. It would make for a good show, and then I wouldn’t have to worry about ‘the last hope of liberty and freedom on earth.’ That would be far too frightening for me to deal with. The thought alone makes me shudder.
Thankfully, however, I am rather sure that the people of the State of Utah are more intelligent than to believe him.
Yesterday I made a rather sudden decision to change webhosts. I realized that I was getting tired of the old host. I mean, they served me well for quite some time, but then I noticed that other services provided much more space and whatnot at a lower price. So, I made the switch. The other one will still be there for quite awhile, (nearly a year), but I’m switching almost completely over to the new guys.
Anyway, that’s my story. So, as you may have noticed, you’re at http://russ-taylor.com, not rt.applyclan.com. It should be a good switch, I hope.
I recently realized that I had completely forgotten the joys of going to live performances. Luckily, this week I was blessed with an opportunity to go to one, and therefore have refreshed my memory of the beauty of concerts and whatnot.
Last night I was able to attend the O.C. Tanner Gift of Music concert at the Conference Center downtown. It was pretty spectacular. When you’re somewhere hearing stunning music live, there’s just a depth and quality to the music that isn’t there when you’re listening to mp3s or CDs.
The guest performers were amazing – Denyce Graves and Bryan Stokes Mitchell. Especially Bryan was incredible. I mean… I was just about in paradise. Anyway, to sum it all up, it was a great night, the Tabernacle Choir and Utah Symphony did a great job, and I am sure to go more concerts soon, because they’re amazing. Even if they’re not for rock bands, they’re still enjoyable.
Anyway, I’m tired now, and my brain hurts. So, that wraps it up.
Oh, and there are still some problems I’m trying to work out with the site. So, please be patient. Thanks!
I’ve been meaning to write something on this subject for awhile now, but I hadn’t yet been able to find something that I considered a suitable way to present it. But now, I figure that I can’t put it off any longer.
This week, my beloved grandfather, 94 years of age, passed away. He had a stroke about a month and a half ago, and had not been able to return home since. He had been improving until struck by an infection. The final blow was when he got pnemonia and refused treatment. Of course, it had been very difficult for him, not being able to walk, talk (& be understood, that is), etc. But he held on long enough to give all of us a chance to visit him.
Today was his funeral, and it was spectacular. I must admit that the knowledge that I have as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has been incredibly helpful in this respect. I mean, there isn’t much better than knowing that I’ll be able to see him again (and get to know him better than I ever had a chance to here) sooner than I may think. God’s plan for us is perfect.
“There is no tragedy in death, but only in sin.” – Pres. Spencer W. Kimball (link)
How true is that? Death is a necessary part of life. It is, and always has been, completely unavoidable (Except in the case of people like Moses and whatnot… But I’m not quite at his level of spirituality). It is no tragedy in a life well-lived, where the person has been faithful to the Lord’s commandments.
And in closing, I’d like to include a song with words by Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley:
“What is this thing that men call death,
This quiet passing in the night?
‘Tis not the end but genesis
Of better worlds and greater light.“O God, touch Thou my aching heart
And calm my troubled, haunting fears.
Let hope and faith, transcendent, pure,
Give strength and peace beyond my tears.“There is no death, but only change,
With recompense for vict’ry won.
The gift of Him who loved all men,
The Son of God, the Holy One.”