Larry H Miller 1944-2009

Tonight we, all Utahns, mourn the passing of a great man in our community. Larry was a great leader in our community. I was never a great fan of Larry or his family, but as I now look back at his legacy and how it affects me I feel a need to thank him in my own way. I know that Larry's hand was felt when I was playing fast pitch softball. I played on a 18 and 23 and under team that traveled around the country. I now know for a fact that we had to have some unknown person helping us along. Our coach would never tell us who was behind the scenes helping us, but I know that Page Brake and Larry H Miller were big parts of that.

Certainly Larry has had a large impact in the automobile industry. He owns many of the places where I currently buy parts and just maybe without him it would be tougher for us to do what I do everyday.

Larry owned many car dealerships, the Utah Jazz, Salt Lake Bees, Miller motor sports park, the Megaplex theaters, KJZZ TV and many other things. I salute Larry and what he has done for me and my family. My thoughts and prayers are with the Miller family.

Book Review

I am really sorry, but it is time again for me to give an un asked for opinion of a book that I just completed. Again, I do read sometimes, in fact I have 3 books in my Que still waiting for me to open their pages so there.

This is another of my mission companions great books. I am glad that I got the chance to read some of his works over the last few years.

This is the story of a young man engrossed in his life in New York City. Set during the time that Katrina hits New Orleans. He receives a call from a stranger stating that his acoholhlic father is lost in the storm and he needs to come to New Orleans to help find him. Luke embarks on a journey not to find his father, but to reconnect with himself. I really liked this book and encourage anyone to read it. I was impressed with the feelings that it gave me right now in my life. Especially as I have been reconnecting with friends and old acquaintances, and making new friends. "Facebook" and my blogs have helped me to find something that I had been missing for sometime. Some of you may know that I have had a blog for quite a few years now. I think I started some 3 or 4 years ago, but recently I have begun to really connect with other people and I have become interested in their thoughts. I have realized that life is way to short to get stuck in the now and I need to lift up my head and discover all that is around me. My past is not the most glamorous and I am not perfect, but I do have a story to tell just like everyone else. This book helped me to see into those stories and pull out the good from everyone. Thanks, Elder Wright for another great story.

TRISKAIDEKAPHOBIA

What!!! ,you may say, is that. Fear of the number 13. Today is the day and fear of today is actually called: paraskevidekatriaphobia. Where does it all begin? Some say it started way back in the time of Christ. Rumor has it that the last person to sit at the table for the last supper, the thirteenth, was actually Judas. His fate did not turn out so well. A large percentage (80-90%) of tall buildings do not have a 13th floor. The floors are renumbered 12a or they skip that floor. In Los Angeles 13th street is called Pico Boulevard. In San Francisco Funston Ave appears where 13 would have been. Most Airports do not have a 13th gate and airplanes rarely have a 13th seat row. The military made the F-12 and F-14 but no F-13. The most famous NASA flight was which one... Apollo 13. Apollo 13 lifted off at 13:13 (or 1:13 for you non 24 hour clock people). In sports Formula 1 has not had a car numbered 13 since 1974. There are some players that will not wear the number. Some do not care, for example Alex Rodriguez has 13 on his back and he has 13 letters in his name. Most race tracks will not start a race with only 13 cars. There is a business back east somewhere called the 14th guest. If you have 13 people invited to your party you can pay them to come so you do not jinx your event. Very interesting, did you take the day off today or sleep in late? It is estimated that 18-21 million people are affected in some way because of this day. Some are so paralyzed they will not even get out of bed. Business marks a 800 to 900 million dollar difference on the Friday the 13th. Airlines show a drop off in today's flight numbers, and on and on. It would be interesting to see what superstitions you have. I found one thing Gillian B James (my wife) has 13 letters in her name....... Oh boy, what do I do.

Book Review

Finished a very good book today. Sometimes I get in the mood to read self help and business idea books. Such as "Raving Fans" or "Who moved my cheese". "Fish" falls in that category. I found it very helpful and an enjoyable quick read. At the end of the book there is this a quote, it summarizes the book. " As you enter this place of work please choose to make today a great day. Your colleagues, customers, team members, and you yourself will be thankful. Find ways to play. We can be serious about our work without being serious about ourselves. Stay focused in order to be present when your customers and team members most need you. And you should feel you energy lapsing, try this surefire remedy: Find someone who needs a helping hand, a word of support, or a good ear- and make their day."

The book begins by telling the story of a woman that has the privilege of working in what she calls the toxic waste dump. She visits a fish market in Seattle where she learns the highlighted concepts. CHOOSE your daily attitude. We learn the in all reality we choose what mood we will be in. PLAY at work, make it fun and enjoyable. We spend a large percentage of our lives at work it might as well be enjoyable. BE PRESENT in everything we do, how often are we thinking of the chores or bills when our kids are telling us about their day, or when the customer is explaining a problem. Finally MAKE THEIR DAY, can we in someway reach out to someone that needs help in some way.

I liked the theme of the book and I know that I can use it's teachings not only at work, but at home in my everyday life. I tried it a little today. I made eye contact with 3 people at church and asked them how things are going. That is not something I can usually do. I would much rather stick to my comfort zone and be to myself.

Tonight we had the debate that has pestered my family through the ages. Seems as though when ever we want to go out to eat it is a battle because each of us has a finicky stomach. They get that from Jill because I will eat anything. Anyways, the battle comes down to this: where do we go that serves the best quality food.

Tonight the debate centered around the all important burger. Who is it that makes the most enjoyable and finger licking one in town? Every place is eligible for this discussion and I personally believe that each burger has it's place. Starting with McDonalds. This is the low end of the spectrum. A burger thrown together and sometimes not cooked all the way just cannot make it to the gourmet page, but that said if it were not for McD's I know some expectant mothers that would have starved. Besides what do we expect from a clown? I personally believe Burger King is a step above in the fast food chain. I like the Whopper with cheese. Maybe it is the thought of flame broiling. Around here Ab's is not to bad. Wendys is stashed between McD's and BK. The top on my list has got the Five Guys. My mouth is watering right now. Of course this is were we ended up again tonight. Picking everything you want slapped on the piece of meat has it's advantages. I feel the Crown Burger/Apollo fall just short of the best burger in town.

Now feel free to post in the comments what you think I would be glad to hear. Maybe it will awaken my taste buds and force me to try someplace different.

Jill so kindly pointed out to me last night that I have not posted in quite sometime. Kolbie is over at dance so I have about 20 minutes before I need to leave so I will peck out something for my entertainment. (That is what this blog is, my entertainment)

Some of you may know that my brain thinks in only one gear..... No not sex, it thinks lots about sports. Today I had a lunch date with my new fantasy baseball league. We all met up at "Five Guys" in Midvale to discuss the up coming season. I had the cheeseburger with all my favorites, I wonder how many weight watchers points that cost me? So here is how the date went.... calling it a date sounds to feminine. This was the owners pow wow. I am related to 4 of the 10 members of this league. They have endured my begging for years to let me into their league. See I usually end up in the Yahoo league that by Memorial day there is only 1 guy left playing and it stinks. Lance finally gave me the OK and let me in starting way back in November. I inherited a pretty bad team so this off season I have bartered and got rid of the dead wood. (the league is calling me the Dodgers east because I ended up with a heavy load of the blues) Today was my first face to face meeting with the guys I had been emailing and chatting with for the past 3 months. It went well, I was fashionably late. I figured I did not want to be on time because I am the rookie so I might have to buy everyone Else's lunch. After I get my food we begin to discuss strategy and the what not. They are pegging me with questions about who my keepers are going to be etc. You know when you picture online friends one way and they turn out completely different, well that was how it was. They seem like a great bunch and I should have fun with this new adventure.

I collect baseball cards, boxes and boxes of them. I have more packs that are unopened than I dare let Jill know about. I really like the pictures on them. I do not want a card with some reflective background. I like the bats to be swinging and the arms to be flailing. I am weird that way. So lately I have this itch to buy more of my favorites. More Dodgers of course and I will see if I can find some of my old favorites. These are the pictures of the guys I have on my team currently. Of those 7 guys I need to keep 5. Tell me waht you think. Should I take my chances that Manny will sign? Or play it safe with Jimmie Rollins and the gang.