Power pole

Here's the reason we had no power for a day during our Mt. Madonna campout. Apparently, the pole just rotted out and chose that rainy, cold day to pack it in. It was interesting watching them work on the replacement - took a lot of people and a lot of time. Part of my famous Machinery series.

LRN1 thinks yesterday's horse statue should also be counted as part of my famous Machinery series. I see his point and am updating the post accordingly. Thanks for your discriminating taste, LRN1!

Normal day. My ecclesiastical leader and I issued several more callings to Young Women for camp. Also worked, commuted, and ate. Our meetings were in Tracy this evening, so I drove to work in order to get there on time without having to leave the car at the Tracy station in the morning. I got there a little early, so I made a quick trip to Rubio's and had a couple of fish tacos while I waited. Pretty good stuff - takes me back to San Diego days.

There's important toilet news today - they're holding competitions. Now there's a title to aspire to.

Also, here's an invention the world probably isn't quite ready for yet. Still, it could be interesting. Also disgusting. Must keep it out of the wrong hands. I'm thinking of you, LRN3.

Tomorrow's off Friday. Lots to do over the weekend. Wash LRN4's car (weather permitting), fix LRN4's brakes, get the Honda's oil changed, make numerous YW camp callings, visit with LRN5, LRN6, and LRN12, maybe help a little on the lawn (weather permitting), get the MARV (Morrow Autonomous Robotic Vehicle, of course) driving on its own, and maybe buy some more expensive electronic goodies.

Time for bed soon. See you tomorrow.

Brown horse

Here's a gallant steed. Picture taken on the Great America carousel and part of my famous Statue series.

Fine day. I worked fewer hours than usual because of a stake assignment, as discussed previously. I have another identical assignment tomorrow night. Looking forward to it. I'm making callings like crazy right now.

Otherwise, commuted, worked, commuted, did stake work, came home, ate, blogged, went to bed ( in a few minutes).

Lots of activity in the comments these days - thanks! A few comments on the comments:

LRN3 has a great summer job idea. I think there's opportunity for all the college-based Loyal Readers there. Sounds like kind of a freelance thing to me.

LRN5's glowing worm report is heartening progress in my lifelong search for a glowing snake. Thanks for that encouraging word.

I suggest that LRN4 look more carefully in the lower left-hand corner of the Apple TV/Boxee Great Art. LRN5's definitely there.

Thanks again for commenting! It makes me feel like someone is actually reading my timeless prose, if not actually enjoying it.

There's a little bit of toilet news today: Stop, then go. Words to live by.

See you tomorrow.

On the wall

Here's LRN2 on the Henry Miller house ruins. Part of my famous Camping series.

Massive Meeting Tuesday, so not much to blog today. The next two days promise to be excessively busy too, as I'm getting together with my ecclestiacal leader to interview potential Young Women Camp youth leaders. Lots to do, but I'm enjoying it.

I don't remember whether I mentioned LRN3's summer internship in this space. He's going to work for the Game & Fish Department, educating boaters and others on how to not introduce non-native species into Arizona's precious waterways. He'll also be doing a bunch of other stuff. It all sounds like lots of fun. Take lots of pictures, LRN3! And sign up to give some campground ranger talks.

Today's pet news: I'll have to keep my glowing puppy chained down.

See you tomorrow.

Boxee install

Here's Joe, my new Apple TV, going through its Boxee installation, complete with Tux. Also featured: LRN3, LRN5, and LRN15. Sort of. Part of my famous Machinery series.

Nice but incredibly busy weekend. LRN2 and I went to the YM/YW super activity on Saturday. I worked at the zip line all day long. Got tired and had a great time. Never went down the zip line myself - I have a family to support. I'm pretty sore from exercising normally-unused muscles.

Sunday consisted of the usual meetings.

LRN12 spent the weekend with us while her folks enjoyed being together. We had a great time, much of which was spent without LRN2 and me - see above. She was feeling pretty sick by the time she went home, though. Hopefully, it's not the swine flu.

No toilet news today, but we do have a report on my next pet - The Glowing Puppy. As soon as they make one in snake form, I'll bet LRN4 will sign on too. Or maybe some fish for the pond. Now that would be cool.

See you tomorrow.

Scary sight

Here's a rather frightening sight - skulls. Dozens of 'em. Found in an ancient cave? An ancient monestary? The Roman catacombs? Naw - Great America.

Nice day. It rained early, although I didn't see it. My car did, though. Sigh. Work was fine. Commuting was fine. Everything was fine.

Spent the evening working on Young Women Camp callings. Made some progress.

The weekend will be incredibly busy. Saturday from dawn to late at night will be spent at the youth COPE activity. Ought to be fun. Hard work and fun, that is. Sunday will be normal. Meetings and YW camp callings. And rest.

No toilet news, but I do have disgusting news, so that counts: I think I'd rather have asthma.

I also discovered the second unluckiest person in the world today (right after the first unluckiest, reported here earlier): Pregnant Woman Hit by Car While Fleeing from Bear. Now that's unlucky.

See you Monday.

Steam power

Here was the view out the train window yesterday morning. Some guys took their toy out to play. Picture courtesy of the exclusive Blackberry cam. Part of my famous Machinery series.

Young Minds at Work day was very nice. LRNs 1 & 2 and I hung out, worked, visited some cool things, ate sushi, rode the train, drove around in the pickup, visited Weird Stuff Warehouse, and generally enjoyed ourselves.

Speaking of Weird Stuff Warehouse, it's an interesting place that's indeed full of weird stuff - mostly extremely obsolete computer equipment that's expensive and of absolutely no conceivable use to anybody. Doesn't make you want to go back. I'm sure they're making money somehow, though.

My Brother-in-law Ken dropped in yesterday afternoon. It was nice to visit with him. He and LRN1 went to Bass Pro for a little while and then we pretty much just sat around and talked until he had to go. Nice but brief visit.

Otherwise an average day. It's cooled down some but still very pleasant out with a few clouds. Not bad at all this evening.

How about today's toilet news? They're getting more convenient.

See you tomorrow.

Loyal statue

Here's LRN2 performing his interpretation of the former statue in the fountain at the Henry Miller estate on Mt. Madonna. Part of my famous Camping series. Also an honorary part of my famous Statue series.

I have lots of Great Art in the queue all of a sudden, including some very good work from Loyal Readers Numbers One and Five. That's definitely a good problem to have. Some people may not realize how much work it takes to create Great Art.

Not much to report today. My brother-in-law Ken came over for a visit this evening, which is always a welcome event. He had a meeting in the area, apparently. Gave us a copy of a recent book, which was very kind.

LRN1 is working on his summer work plan, thus maximizing the likelihood of success. Good luck, LRN1! Do something useful.

There's a tiny bit of toilet news today: they're apparently being outlawed in Sweden. At least in public.

See you tomorrow.

Madonna trail

Here's a hiking trail on Mt. Madonna. Very pretty place. Part of my famous Camping series.

The big news is that LRN1 is home! Welcome home, LRN1. Have a great summer. Let's get working on that robot.

Otherwise, the day was another hot, hot, hot one. I drove the Miata. It was beautiful this morning and too hot this afternoon. Should have put the top back up and used the A/C. Oh, well. It's supposed to start cooling off tomorrow, with temperatures in the high 60's and low 70's by Saturday and rain predicted a couple of days next week. That's okay. At least it probably won't rain on our youth activity on Saturday.

In today's toilet-related news, we learn that crime definitely does not pay. Maybe they were trying to steal the wrong stuff.

See you tomorrow.

You are the cheesemaker

Here's LRN2 learning how to make cheese. Picture taken during the (duh) cheese factory tour.

Happy birthday to my brother Chris! he and his SO were at our house yesterday. It was nice to see him again and meet her and her two kids. It was a very pleasant day.

Warm weekend. Downright hot yesterday and again today. The pool was marginally warm yesterday - enough so that the kids went swimming while the adults enjoyed sitting in the shade and talking for quite a while. Very relaxing day.

Saturday was nice too. LRN2 and I cleaned the pond filter and washed and waxed my Honda, which now looks wonderful. We also went for a couple of rides in the newly-shocked and -tired Suburban - it really rides nicely now. Huge difference. You really don't notice how bad things have gotten until you get them fixed.

Normal day at work. A little bit of work and a lot of meetings. Even more meetings (and even less work, probably) tomorrow.

LRN1's still working on his summer work decision. He has a pretty good offer (at least financially) in Salt Lake, but I don't think he wants to be there all summer. the job would also require him to coop there during the school year, which would be a little bit difficult. On the upside, he would be making pretty good money for a student and would be definitely working professionally.

He owes them a decision tomorrow. I'll be interested to see how it turns out.

He'll be home tomorrow, in any case.

There's toilet news today! Warn your children.

See you tomorrow.

Swinging readers

Here are LRN2 and LRN4 and a few of their new friends about to be swung to nausea-inducing levels. I didn't ride. I took pictures. They seemed to enjoy it, though. Strange. Picture taken at Great America.

Well. Busy day. Got the shocks for the 'Burb. I checked into exact replacements for the Bilsteins that were on there from the factory and they were either extremely expensive or mail order only. I ended up getting a set of KYBs. Behold . . . the MonoMax:


What a thing of beauty. Hopefully, it will keep the new tires from rapid degradation, like the previous set. Speaking of which, I got new tires too. They're Michelins and seem like they'll be really good too.

Anyway. Also worked a few hours and spent some time preparing my talk. Still need to wash a car, clean the pond filter, and whatever else was on my list yesterday. I'll figure it out.

Congrats to LRN1 for his job offer! We were pretty sure it was coming, but it's nice to actually have it in hand. I hope he at least hears back from the Apple guy so he can make an informed decision.

Of course, he may want to consider this opportunity instead. That's way better than Monkey Man.

No toilet news, no food violence news. The world is safe. See you Monday.

Spongebob

Here's your favorite cartoon character and mine. Photo taken at Great America, and featuring a rare cameo by your favorite blogger - if you can find it.

Once again, the weekend's here. and I have lots of plans. Possibly the highest priority is finishing preparations for my Sunday talk. I have the general ideas ready and just need to organize them (link warning: video of a very bad - but short - speech). But it needs to get done.

Probably have to attend a couple of work meetings via telecon tomorrow morning.

Need to buy new tires for the Suburban - I discovered last night that one of them is completely worn out, so now's the time. I also need to have new shocks put on, since the old worn-out shocks are what caused the premature death of the tires.

Around the house, the pond filter needs to be cleaned and a car needs to be washed. Pretty much any car will do. They're all filthy.

Then there are the preparations for my brother's possible visit. He just sent me a message saying he's not sure whether he's coming at this point. Hope to find out soon.

There are numerous Young Women Camp callings to work on, of course. Need to make real progress on that front.

Plus relaxation, of course.

Is that enough? I think so. It'll have to do, at any rate.

Talked with LRN1 this morning. He had a third (I believe) interview with the company in Salt Lake City. It seems quite positive for him at this point. They want him as a co-op rather than in intern. That seems attractive to him because it makes him an integral part of their ongoing work, rather than someone temporary who does busy work. It will be interesting to see how it turns out.

Any food violence out there? Just this: Spaghetti-O's smell like death. Pretty chilling.

See you tomorrow.

Ruins

Here are the Henry Miller ruins at Mt. Madonna. Part of my famous Camping series.

Happy income tax day! I trust my Loyal Readers have safely and prudently filed their tax returns and received their hard-earned pittance back. I certainly have.

No post yesterday. It was Massive Meeting Tuesday, and then I spent some time on the phone with LRN1, working with him on his generous tax refund. My Loyal Readers have my pity for their Morrowlife withdrawal symptoms.

Beatiful, sunny day today. Although the wind remained as a strong holdover from yesterday. We're expecting Downright Hot Weather over the weekend. Looking forward to it.

Situation otherwise normal. I've been spending lots of time working on the Household Video System. Downloaded the latest general conference, which now comes in beautiful hi-def format. Truly a joy to watch.

Also received the new remote control for the downstairs TV, which I believes completes the current phase of the infrastructure buildout. I hope to find the time to install the remote tonight. Or maybe tomorrow. Or maybe Friday. No later than Friday. Definitely.

Let's see if there's any Food Violence news today: Indeed there is. I can think of better things to fight over. Spam, certainly. Maybe even corned beef hash. But pork and beans? I think not.

Not to mention this. Now that's just wrong.

See you tomorrow.

Nervous reader

Here's Loyal Reader Number Three at the Wedding of the Century, looking just a little nervous. Maybe he didn't want to be recognized.

Back to work. I'm sleepy - should have gotten to bed earlier. Probably won't tonight either, and tomorrow's Massive Meeting Tuesday, so I'll be turning in late again. Sigh.

Things at work were about the way I left them, which is fine. At least they missed me. Sort of.

The weekend was nice - warm and sunny. Loyal Reader Number Two and I got a few things done on Saturday - cleaned the pool filters and washed the Miata, chiefly. He went over to a friend's house on Friday afternoon, so Loyal Reader Number Four and I went out for Chinese dinner, which was enjoyable. Loyal Readers Numbers Five, Six, and Twelve came over for the weekend mid-day on Saturday. We did the Easter things together and had a very nice time. Jacuzzified on Saturday evening, which we don't do often enough.

So it was just a normal, pleasant weekend. No complaints.

We have some highly important toilet news: They're finally reaching potty parity in New York. The huddled masses are finally breathing free.

See you tomorrow.

Water carrier

Here's Liberace's water carrying statue. It didn't appear to have any actual water in it, sadly. Part of my famous Statue series.

We're back! Had a nice week, although it rained steadily from late Monday night until the time we left, with brief periods of mere cloudiness. Oh, and it never got out of the 40's during the day. We decided to come home a day early.

It wasn't all bad, though. The trailer was comfortable and we spent the time reading and playing games. I read five books I had borrowed from the library last Saturday and enjoyed them greatly. Also took afternoon naps. So it truly wasn't all bad.

Also, Monday was sunny and very nice. We did a little exploring, including taking an interesting nature hike that included the ruins of the Henry Miller house - a rich guy who owned the place and built a mansion with spectacular grounds on top of the mountain as a summer home. There's nothing left but some stairs, a wall, some foundations, and the basin of a fountain. Plus some old plants that have spread out some. It's a shame - they appear to have torn the whole place down and sold it for scrap after he died. What were they thinking?

Also did some geocaching. We found five caches and had a nice time looking for them in some pretty locations. There are a bunch of giant redwoods in the park, which we wouldn't have seen if we hadn't gone looking for caches.

Trip Great Art is coming soon.

That's about it. All's well here at home and things are getting back to normal. Thanks to Loyal Reader Number One for making a couple of comments.

It looks like there was a little food violence during our absence. I'm not sure, but I think this can be categorized as food violence too. Be careful out there.

See you Monday.

Big cache

Here's Loyal Reader Number Four finding perhaps the biggest geocache container we've ever gotten. Good job, LRN4! Part of my famous Camping series.

Wonders of Blogger today. First time I've had to do that in quite a while. I'm blaming the Apple TV.

Yes, it arrived yesterday. Very cool. It's not perfect - can't stream BYU TV yet, as far as I can tell, but I'll bet that will come. I think individuals can contribute to that project - maybe I'll do that. I got Boxee installed almost immediately and it works perfectly too. We can watch any of those gazillions of TV shows whenever we want! Yipee. I also set up Pandora on it, which works nicely. Lots of Appley goodness there.

The cheese factory tour was fun. We went to what turns out to be the biggest cheese factory in the world. There were eight of us - four yoots and four parents. They showed us how to make cheese by having us make our own. It was surprisingly easy. I've been paying way too much for cheese. Amusingly, they started out our tour by having an HR person show us the company's recruiting video. Cue music: "Be . . . all that you can be, 'cause we need you . . . in the cheeeeese factory!"

Had some friends over for a small group dinner in the evening. Two couples came. We had a nice time, but were dreading going back to the church for the dessert portion. Last time, it was so noisy you couldn't hear yourself think, which kind of put a damper on the whole thing. This time the noise was much better controlled, so we could at least hear each other. We played a game, ate, and went home, having enjoyed it.

Not much else to talk about. Day one of my ten-day vacation is at a close. Nine more to go. So far, so good.

Reminder for next week - blogging unlikely. Comment! See you a week from Monday.

On the dock

Here's Loyal Reader Number Two, sitting on the dock of the bay. Well, standing on the dock of the river, anyway. Part of my famous Camping series.

No April Fools' Day post. Thanks to Anon for noticing. I had to work for a couple hours after I got home and then there was the new TV to set up. Which seems to be working fine - played video through it from a DVD player and it looks and even sounds great. I'm especially gratified about the sound - flat panel TVs have a nasty reputation for their sound quality. The TV even has a good number of inputs, including two HDMI ports, composite video, and even coax cable. Very good.

Slightly sad news though - the FedEx guy showed up today with the Apple TV, and both Loyal Readers were in the shower. Sigh. We have to wait until tomorrow now. Double sigh.

But nothing can bring me down too much this evening - it's vacation time! I'm off for ten whole days. We're camping for six of them, as previously discussed.

The rest of the days will be the busy ones. We have our cheese factory tour tomorrow mid-day and then a few couples over for dinner in the evening. Plus, I'll be installing the Apple TV and playing around with it, of course.

Saturday, Loyal Readers Numbers Three, Five, Six, Twelve, and Fifteen are coming over for the day. That's right, LRN3 and LRN15 are in town for a few days for LRN15's birthday, which is today.

Speaking of which, Happy Birthday, LRN15! We're happier than you'll probably ever know that you're a member of our family. Especially since it was by choice! You join Loyal Readers Numbers Four and Six in that distinction. What were you all thinking?

Anyway. Saturday is also General Conference. We probably won't get to see much because of the visit, but we can easily go back and see the missing sessions on BYU-TV.

Sunday will be the rest of General Conference and a Stake leadership training session in the evening.

Then we're off on Monday morning for six days of fun and frolic, followed by Easter at home with LRN5, LRN6, LRN12, and my brother Chris with his Special friend and her two children.

Busy.

We don't have many plans for the campout. I hope to geocache a time or two. Might bring the RC helicopter again. Its battery is pretty short-lived, but it's fun to fly for the minute or two you get at a time.

I hope to do a bunch of reading, hiking, and napping too. Emphasis on the reading and napping.

LRN2 went to the doctor's office today and was given antibiotics. We hope they do the trick Real Soon Now. And LRN4 and I hope he keeps it to himself.

No food violence today, but I do have a Very Special Morrowlife Controversy: How do my Loyal Readers feel about this? My answer: No answer. Do you think I'm crazy or something?

Important Morrowlife Disclosure: If my Loyal Readers ever wonder why I stay out of the cleaning supplies, it's just that I'm trying to save my marriage.

Official Morrowlife warning: blogging is highly unlikely next week. The probability of wifi being available in the park is very low. I'll try to get something lame (as usual) posted from the exclusive Treo if at all possible. Otherwise, feel free to keep things going in the comments and await anxiously for my return. I'll be here tomorrow, though, so Cold Turkey doesn't start for a while.

See you tomorrow.