Cars of Transformers!

The Perfect (Yet Seemingly Un-Attainable) Balance

How does an individual create the perfect harmony in their life with so many activities demanding a share of their time? Is there a simple way to balance work, family, church, community....exercise?
It used to seem so simple. I was raised by family and faith, "Family First". Now before I go further, each person reading this must understand that I believe that with all my heart. I love my wife and children more than anything is this entire world. The trouble I have is truly defining family. I know who my family is and where I can find them. I understand the activities my kids are involved in and how to participate in each of those. So moving on to the more difficult part...LIFE!
As a father and husband I have the responsibility to provide the necessities of life for my family. I feel I do a respectable job in aspect of my patriachal role. I run and operate a successful business. Herein lies the problem: I spend a great deal away from my family, so that I can take care of my family. So is work family time or work time?
In addition to work, I am deeply involved in my church. Every morning I get up shortly after 5 o'clock to teach high school aged students a religious class (seminary). I absolutlely love teaching this class. I love my students, I love the doctrine, and I love teaching. I believe a family should be raised with a strong religious teaching. I personally am a Christian and strive to raise my family according to Christ's teachings. By being involved in this class every morning I have the opportunity to bring understanding to myself of where I desire my family to be. Again, this is so positive for me, but this too has its drawbacks. More time.
Here is a brief rundown of my day: I leave the house very early in the morning, missing the waking hours of my children. I work all day rarely able to even take a lunch (this I know I could probably be better at). I come home in the evening just in time to eat the amazing meal my wife has prepared for our family. After dinner it is time to get our young children ready for bed. As they are laying in bed trying to sleep, I head straight for my desk and finish preparing my seminary lesson for the next morning. By the time the kids are asleep and lesson finished, I am exhausted and ready for bed.
My Point: During the week I spend much more time away from my family than with them. The time I am with them, we are all sleeping. I feel the time away from my family is spent to benefit my family. I am wondering if I am taking(or making) the time to see and enjoy the benefits this time is providing.
I end with the same question as I began: How does an individual create the perfect harmony in their life with so many activities demanding a share of their time? Is it possible? Or are we living on a contioulsy undulating teeter-totter?

PGA TOUR TOP FIVE LEADERBOARD

Up For Air...........Briefly!

It is a calm, quiet Sunday afternoon. Something I haven't experienced for quite sometime (calm and quiet that is!). I have forgotten how having a baby makes you suddenly very busy. These past weeks have been loaded with joy. I love seeing our two older children interact with their new baby sister. Now that's joy!
This is a short post, but I am going to actually enjoy my quiet moment. As I type this the children are beginning to wake! Let the good times roll!

Farewell to an Icon

Utah Jazz owner, and successful entrepreneur Larry H. Miller passed away this afternoon. As an avid Jazz fan and a client of his car dealerships, I wish my best to his family. He will be greatly missed. "After all, we all know this guy!!"

Video Courtesy of KSL.com

50 years and still Firm!

I would like to give a big shout out to an American Icon. She turns 50 today, and boy does she ever look great!! She has had more life experiences than probably anyone whom ever lived. She's made of plastic. She's fantastic! You guessed it! Barbie!! Barbie, congratulations on hitting the half century mark. In celebration might I suggest that we release yet another Barbie doll?!? Menopause Barbie. It just has a great ring to it. Definitely an epic doll for the history books.

I am not sure where Ken is at this moment. However, I do know that wherever he is, he too is celebrating. Best wishes on your next fifty years. May you look as good then as you now.

Cell Phones - The Modern Six Shooter

In today's world of advancing technology, we hear that technology doubles every 18-24 months. That's quick! Is technology really evolving this quickly? I am definitely not an expert on the evolution of of technology, albeit I can undeniably see this evolution occurring. We see the size and thickness of our televisions change so rapidly, it seems as soon as we purchase ours the bigger and thinner (and more "green" might I add) version is just hitting the shelves. As we buy our new mp3 player it has a new predecessor that is smaller containing more memory. Change, as it would seem, is always a constant.

There is one piece of technology that I wish to focus this thread on today. A piece of technology that is so integrated in our lives, it seems un-natural to be without. In fact, I dare say that without one you will be scorned and ridiculed by your peers. Having one and not knowing how to use it, that is just as serious a sin. What is this technology that has so permeated our lives? Yes, the mighty cell phone.

Evolution of the cell phone. May I present to you the idea that the cell phone is the evolution of another product that had so saturated the lives of those who used it. This primitive "cell-phone" was the staple of everyday life long before the modern cell phone came into play. I wish to show how the modern cell phone is the progeny of the late six shooter of the wild west.

The revolver, such an integral part of life in the old west that an individual would not dare leave home without it. Everyone carried their pistol a little differently. Some carried the smaller models in pockets and boots. The women usually had theirs hidden in the bottom of their purses, so when the time came that they actually need it, they had to fumble through everything in there to try to find it. The men who usually meant business carried them strapped to their hips in a leather holster for all to see. It was a show of power and pride for these folks. They usually knew how to operate their six shooter more efficiently then anyone else, and they liked people to know.

There started out so few models of revolvers that in the beginning nearly everyone was carrying the same make and model. As the revolver gained notoriety more companies began to manufacture more models, constantly changing features to stay ahead of the game. The market became flooded with a copious amount of revolvers. People began to compare their model to their neighbor's. People began to buy more than one revolver when only one was necessary, just to have all the latest features of the new one. "Yeah Bob, I just upgraded to the .44 caliber yesterday. It has bigger bullets with a faster trajectory."

The six shooter had so many uses. It was carried along on travel for protection. If a wagon broke down they could protect themselves. They could even place a call for help by firing a couple shots up in the air. To pass the time, and as a form of competition, many people played games with their revolver.

The six shooter was a vital piece of western communication. One would never forget to take it with them, especially on a visit to the early form of social networking sites, aka: bars. When asking someone a question and that individual feels inclined not to respond to your request, you pull out your six shooter, point it around a bit, and all of the sudden the line of communication has improved drastically. Information seems to flow toward you from all directions. The revolver gets great "reception". If by chance that friend still decides not to respond, you have the ability to delete that person from your friend list immediately. Incredible piece of technology!

I know it seems like quite a stretch to claim that cell phones are the evolved, modern six shooter, but I feel I make my point quite clear. But then again, I am just shooting from the hip.