Welcome Home Zach!!

On Monday there was a special vibe in my house. I wasn't sure what was happening but I knew it was going to be big. It started by us all taking mommy to work which was strange because we have never done that before. When we got back to the house daddy was acting super happy and a little nervous. I played for a little while until daddy made me get dressed in my "someone in Mexico loves me" shirt. Then daddy took me to Wendy's for lunch and then we picked up mommy early. I usually don't get to see her again until dinner time. This made me super happy because I love my mommy and miss her when she goes to work. Then we drove to the airport and I was wondering where we were going this time. I was thinking its got to be someplace fun because all we packed was sombreros. We went inside and found Grandma and Grandpa Buck and Uncle Andy sitting on some chairs. We sat there forever waiting for something big. Every few minutes someone would get up and go and watch TV for a minute then come back and say the time moved later again. I got bored with this and decided I needed to run around for a while. I found this really fun rope to run under. But mommy was mean and kept telling me I couldn't go under it and run around on the other side because the area was off limits. Finally everyone got up and stood by this fence. Daddy gave everyone a sombrero and we all stood there for a long time watching people come up the escalators. Daddy kept pointing out people saying "there he is....just kidding". Grandma must have bumped her knee or something because she started to cry. Daddy shouted out "hey it's him!!" and Grandma's knee must have really started to hurt because she was really crying now. This strange boy in a cowboy hat came over and gave Grandma a hug to make her knee feel better. Grandpa came over I thought to tell the boy to leave Grandma alone but he gave the boy a hug too. Turns out the boy is my uncle Zach that mommy and daddy always made me pray for. He was serving a mission in Mexico when I was born and that is why I never met him before.
Then we went to Grandma's to take a nap, eat and play with my new uncle. He seems really nice but I think something might be wrong with him because he talks really funny. I'm worried that he might be contagious because Daddy started to talk funny too. Mommy kept laughing at them and grandma and grandpa kept asking what they were saying.

Welcome Home Zach it's good to see you again!!

The Excitement of the Playoffs

Well last year at this time was around the time Joseph attended his first ever baseball game- Game 1 of the World Series. You may remember that he caught his very first home run ball at that game and there is a classic picture of him trying to hold the ball (his hands didn't quite work yet so Mommy is helping him)

Well a lot has changed in 1 year. Now Joseph's hands work just fine and there are two other boring teams in the World Series. Because the Rockies aren't in it, this gives the players some time off. Though the playoffs are way less exciting this year, there are certain opportunities.

Throughout the year we have had a chance to meet and get autographs from almost all of the Rockies- except one- 2007 NL MVP Matt Holiday, the Rockies Left Fielder and easily the best player in baseball. Matt never comes aout and warms up with the team, he plays all the way on the other side of the diamond from where we sit, and at public appearences he always charges like 50$.

Well I heard on the radio that he was going to be at the RC Willys or Soundtrack or whatever its called now (Ultimate Electronics) signing and it was free- the only catch was he was signing baseball cards, and only baseball cards that he brought with him. We thought it might still be fun to go so we went up to the RC Willy's Megastore and stood in line. Sure enough Matt Holliday came but he's such a nice guy he decided to sign anything! Fortunately I brought my very first ever Home Run ball just in case, which was good because that's what he signed! Joseph got his infamous Rockies coat signed by #5 and Mommy got the baseball card. Here is a picture of us with Matt! Sweet!

But wait there's more!

Speaking of legendary encounters with Rockies players, Did I ever tell you about the time I had lunch with Todd Helton? I know I haven't told William so at least for his sake, here's the story. My Parents had just got back from a road trip which took them through Kansas City. They were at a local baseball shop and they noticed on the clearence rack was a set of Todd Helton jerseys for 10$. So they bought up the lot of them and the guy at the register asked if Todd still played for the Rockies- as if!

Well I went to visit them to see the pictures of the trip and they bestowed the jersey to me which I decided to wear right there. We were hungry so we decided to go to lunch- ah but where should we eat? This ended up being a huge decision as we decided to eat at Quiznos by Target.

So we're eating our sandwhiches when slowly we start to realize something about the guy sitting at the table in front of us- he was massive, a big huge bulky guy with a big goatee and huge, giant arms. He was eating his sandwhich and reading a religious book, possibly the bible. When I first noticed him I thought, "hey that kind of looks like Todd Hel- hey it IS Todd Helton!"

Sure enough it was him, the Rockies 1st baseman who is first among active players in average. We were debating whether we should go talk to him and approach him and have him sign my shirt. In the end we decided to leave him be and let him enjoy his sandwhich.

Eventually he finished his sandwhich and dumped his tray and on the way out he saw us. We said something like, "Hey Todd are you going to win today?" Todd, seeing my new shirt said, "Hey I like your shirt!" "Hey thanks, I guess we'll see you later, though you won't see us."

I still have the receipt from that encounter, and I even asked the Baseball Hall of Fame in Coperstown if they would display it but they declined. Still it's only a matter of time before he is inducted.

To Serve Man

So check this out…you know how Ward Relief Societies make recipe books for the Ward and get input from the sisters, you know their best recipes and stuff. I have a great idea Sister Hanagarne…

It’s called “To Serve Man.” Here’s the cover-

You see its written in Kanamit. The book has recipes from the ward’s sisters, and its got a forward by Rod Serling. The idea is based on a great Twilight Zone episode which you can watch at http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5752383157717584836

See and the “To Serve Man” angle is a church philosophy- to serve. Serve others, serve man. And if you watched the above link you’ll know the irony. It would be sweet to make a macabre, tongue-in-cheek cookbook where every recipe has man, or arm or some macabre title. Watch the episode and get your submissions is for the “To Serve Man” recipe book.

The Theory of the Ward Weirdo

Greetings friends. I come to you in my role as educator and academia to expound upon you and enlighten your minds to a phenomenon observed, tested and proven through rigorous application of the Scientific Method. You know of the theory of relativity, and the theory of gravity. Just as pertinent and just as beneficial to society and understanding is the theory of the Ward Weirdo.

Think about it. When you are at church on fast and testimony meeting, look around you. Now I want you to picture yourself there, in the chapel, digesting the bread, zoning out, finding Waldo. The Bishop then opens the time to you, the congregation…then it happens that one guy (or girl) gets up and you cringe. Somehow he gets up every month, and somehow he is A.) Still a member and B.) is still allowed to do so. He’ll get up there and give a southern Baptist testimony, or a testimony of who we should vote for, or some other borderline false doctrine. In fact in South America, it could be argued that the whole church is the Ward Weirdo.

I have found in my studies that WITHOUT EXCEPTION, every Ward, Branch or Congregation has a Ward Weirdo- more shocking is that it is an actual calling carried out in secrecy and endorsed by the Knights Templar as such. The Ward Weirdo can never reveal themselves directly, however the signs of their existence are clear. The reason I know this is because I am a Ward Weirdo Magnet. They always find me. Always.

Case in Point: the place Puerto Panasco Mexico. The time: A few years ago. Went down to Mexico to camp on the beach (ugh) went to church. Was enjoying the meetings, went to Sunday school and of ocurse because I speak Spanish, I was sort of an anomaly. Then it happened- the Ward Weirdo. He was speaking about some incoherent idea, that I didn’t really care to hear about. Sure enough this was the Ward Weirdo.

Another example in the desert of Nevada in 1947 it is believed a “weather balloon” crashed outside of Roswell New Mexico. That’s what the government wants us to think. It wasn’t an alien, it was a Ward Weirdo- probably from the Roswell third Ward. Though there were skeptics an autopsy performed live on Fox revealed the “alien” to be the suspected Ward Weirdo from the Roswell 3rd Ward.

So that brings us to our Ward…the Northridge Ward, Highlands Ranch Stake. We had one, oh we certainly had one- gave the “most Southern Baptist Testimony Ever.” But he moved. So the succession of Ward Weirdness must be preserved, so we began asking who is the Ward Weirdo in our Ward?

The answer shocked me…and rattled me to my core. To be Continued…

Testing my new idenity

Amen

This time the Catholics got it right!!

http://www.catholicvote.com/

I'm Leigh Anna and I approve this message.

The Fireside Song

Jared - "I thought of the idea for this song - a LONG time ago but I lack the musical talent to pull it off."

Leigh Anna - Well this guy beat you to it and the next guy has copied the idea. You could make another version. Especially now that you have tons of extra time. You and Joseph could made a duet."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Pf8t5x6Ikw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBDKS4Bh4lM&feature=related

Leigh Anna - "Besides I'm trying to find Saturday's Warrior clips. I can't remember the words for Jimmy's part and Deseret Book is closed til Monday so I can't go and buy a copy to watch over and over and over......Jimmy oh Jimmy don't listen to them......."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVASLtgUFp4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kaQZDsqYhAM&feature=related

Appreciate your help

Hi Everybody, Jared here. Got the unfortunate news on Friday that I lost my job. Yep that's right I got laid off! The good news is I will get to spend more time with my boy Joseph but the bad news is well I don't have a job- which totally sucks. I have a Masters degree in Legal/Public Administration and a BA as well. I want to try to minimize the time I am jobless so if you know of anybody who is hiring or know of any vacancies or know a guy who knows this guy who has a friend in HR somewhere, please let me know. Any leads or information you could give would be appreciated. My email is jbuck09@law.du.edu and phone 303-667-9082. Again if you know of anything, even a rumor I would be very interested in hearing it! Thanks.

But You Don't Have to Take My Word For It!

Greetings colleagues. Perhaps as a way to boast, I’ve decided to blog on my intellectual prowess (mostly just my long commute) and bring to you the books I have read since our trip to New York in July (the one that dominated our blog entries for months). I shall give a list of the books and my review and tips on each. The list is reverse chronological, meaning I’ll start with what I am currently reading…

1. Title: The Twilight Zone Companion
Author Alan Zicree

This book is a classic and I’ve actually read it many times. It reads like short stories synopsing (new word) the various episodes of the Twilight Zone, the best show ever made. The writing is concise and it makes one long for the show, which I conveniently own all 5 seasons. I mostly picked it up to inspire me as Halloween draws near and because the previous book reminded me of a twilight zone episode. Which brings me to… (Stars: 10 out of 10)

2. Title: Make Room! Make Room!
Author: Harry Harrison (seriously)

The foundation for the movie “Soylent Green” I was inspired to read it when brainstorming props for our awesome Halloween party. The book is actually pretty routine and as indicated in the introduction by some guest commentator, the story is pedestrian but the backgrounds are where the story is. This is certainly true. The book takes place in the year 1999 in a post apocalyptic New York. The City is overpopulated and resources are extremely rare. When a murder occurs Andy Rusch of the NYPD investigates. In all honesty, as weird as the movie is, it is better as it capitalizes on the Soylent Green angle. (As a robot) “What…is…the…secret…of…Soylent…Green” Rent the movie, skip the book (Stars: 5 out of 10)

3. Title: Professional Blackjack
Author: Stanford Wong

So after reading the previous book I thought that I too can count cards, it can’t be that hard. So after researching online and finding this book to be the card counter’s bible, I decided how hard can it be? Well I did not finish this book, there is very little text and vast amounts of charts tables and graphs to memorize. Without putting in the requisite work to remember the numbers and armed with the knowledge that I hate casinos and would never actually master the skill well enough to be successful- I quit. (Stars: 1 out of 10)

4. Title: Bringing Down the House
Author: Ben Mezhric

Watched the Movie “21” enjoyed the style and the premise of easy money, decided to read the book. Despite numerous conflicts with facts, I enjoyed the book, and found it infinitely more plausible that the characters were ugly, brilliant Asians rather that hot-to-the-touch Kate Bosworth. Still Mezrich is a gifted writer, despite his Harvard pedigree and makes for a very entertaining story. Makes you believe that you too can count cards! (Stars: 9 out of 10)

5. Title: Ballparks!
Author: I can’t remember

A look at every Major league ballpark and its history as well as several Negro league and Minor league parks. Good for the baseball fan and proves once again that Coors is the best place in the world to watch a game. The book was good and presented great facts- the big problem- the size and shape of the book. Made reading on the light rail nearly impossible as it required an entire bench to open. (Stars: 6 out of 10) (Woulda been hire if not for the awkward shape)

6. Title: DeLorean
Author: John DeLorean

I read the jacket and that was all I needed! Something to the effect of “As my car company was floundering I turned to unconventional means of financing. I had at last outwitted the Mafia and the IRA and they agreed to invest $10 million in my fledgling car company! At last I had succeeded!” What could go wrong!? Not to mention that it is my dream car and every time I mentioned purchasing one everyone would say you know he’s in jail right? (The answer is no he is actually dead, and he was acquitted on all charges) Those of you trying to dissuade me from purchasing the car cannot use this as ammunition in your claims as if convinced me I want one even more. The GM executive finds too much corporate contention then quites to start his own car company…that’s when things went horribly wrong! Great Scott! (Stars: for the DeLorean aficionado 10 out of 10, for mean, overbearing, stick-in-the-mud wives of DeLorean aficionados 2 out of 10, for everyone else 7 out of 10)

7. Title:10 Little Ladybugs
Author: Don’t know
Illustrator: Don’t know

This gem begins with 10 ladybugs and each page something iambic happens to each one until-gulp- there is 0 ladybugs sitting on the branch. The climax of this one felt contrived, as I could tell by the ninth ladybug that no good would come from this, and successfully deduced the ending. The prose seemed shortened, though somehow appropriate for the audience. I admit my disdain and heartbreak when the last ladybug did indeed disappear from the branch. By the way this is Joseph’s book (Stars: 10 out of 10 Joseph, Adults or pretty much anyone that can actually read 4 out of 10)

8. Title: The Book of Mormon (souvenir 1830 edition)
Author: God the Father, Moroni, Joseph Smith.

If you haven’t read this one you need to! No book has more value or importance to your life than this one will. It is truth, it is doctrine. However, reading the 1830 edition was a unique experience. Having no chapter and verse designations provided a unique reading experience and made for a more story approach rather than the usual boring-seminary-assignment. I enjoyed the story and was able to focus more on the characters. Also there were some entertaining typeo’s. At one point the Gadianton NOBLES sieged the Nephite people, and halfway through 3rd Nephite in a section describing the coming Lord’s ministry in the 3rd person, suddenly I was reading the beatitudes in 1st person. Don’t know if the original version was like that but I had 75 pages out of order. (Stars: Can I keep my recommend if I put anything less than 10?)

9. Title: It’s Time for Bed
Author: Don’t Know

The old rigamarole of delaying getting ready for bed…I gotta get my Pjs on, I gotta brush my teeth…I gotta play with the dog. Stalling. Of course theres always some excuse. In the end I got the last laugh as the little tyke fell asleep. (Stars: 5 out of 10)

10. Title: The Disneyland Encyclopedia
Author: Don’t remember

A viable history of everything in the park from 1955 until publication0 however remember that Disneyland is never complete! Great historical information on some old rides and especially the main street shops. The Wizard of Bras…I already knew a great deal of its contents but you can never retreat to that happy place enough! Loved the pictures but wish they were in color- coulda done without the maps. (Stars: 9 out of 10)

Got a good book you’ve read? Comments on these books? Give us a shout! The next book by the way is “Blindness” by Jose Saramango, base for the popular new release from Weinstein films. I’d love to hear your suggestions for the future!

Dumbo Pictures by Jared

Joseph's Halloween Costume Preview & Please Help

We tried to have Joseph's picture taken in his Halloween costume a few weeks ago for a local photographer. She took the pictures for free in exchange for letting her use them in her portfolio. Great idea except I'm pretty sure Joseph hates his costume as he was grumpy the whole time. It never fails he is usually so happy and laughing but we try and get his pictures taken and Mr. Grumpy Pants shows up instead.

We are trying to decide if any of them are good enough to order or if we should try to have them retaken. What do you think?
Here's the link to the photos
http://www.vivikasphotography.com/ click on login and enter leigh for the event code.

Also I need costume ideas for me. I wanted to be the magic feather to coordinate with Joseph's Dumbo costume, but I can't figure out how to make the thing. Any ideas? Please help!!!