Jay Cutler Traded! My Life has Come to an End!

This whole Jay Cutler being traded has been quite amusing. Being a guy and a Bronco fan, I was tired of this whole drama as many of you were. The good thing is, it's over, but what I find amusing is how some people are really taking this trade personally!

Now for the voice of reason. I'm a huge fan of the Broncos, of the NFL, and sports in general. I have spent many Sunday afternoon's over the years enjoying the game with my brother Dylan or my father-in-law Russ. But one thing remains true. The success of my favorite team in no way should affect my mood or personality or how I treat other people! I have talked to people who's lives have literally come to an end because Jay Cutler is no longer a Bronco. I find it humorous.

Don't get me wrong. I was this way once. It was me sitting on the couch with tears running down my face at age 9 as Doug Williams of the Washington Redskins destroyed the Broncos for 5 touchdowns in the second quarter of Super Bowl XXII. Fortunately for me, my parents gave me added perspective and told me it doesn't matter in the long term and it's just a game. Those words hurt as I heard them, but they were right.

The Broncos are a great team to follow, but they do not affect how my life is from day to day. I don't wake up on Monday mornings after a Bronco loss feeling depressed about my life because my football team got crushed by the Chargers again. Let the players who get paid to do this feel that way. My life is much more interesting than the team I follow. In fact, if it isn't, I will do something about it so it is! Jerry Seinfeld put it best. He said with all the trades and personnel changes teams make over the years, we ultimately are rooting for clothes. Keep it in perspective people. If the Broncos with 11 games next year, this will all be an afterthought anyway. I hope this makes sense.

One last note, do a Google image search for Kyle Orton. about half of those pictures of him on there are of the embarrassing "MySpace" variety, usually with a cold one in his hand and a drunk girl in the other.

My $0.02 on Barack Obama

President Barack Obama. Sounds strange doesn't it? I am okay with this however. 3-18 months ago, I wasn't a fan, and for the longest time, I couldn't figure out why. At first he came across to me as very pretentious, attempting to become the Second Coming of Martin Luther King, Jr., with his need for large crowds and flowery words. It bothered me even more as he proclaimed the evil in the world as the Bush Administration (the easy target for everything that goes wrong in people's lives). Stuff like that has never set well with me.

I was working in Downtown Denver during the Democratic National Convention, and saw the 16th Street Mall turn into Las Vegas Boulevard overnight. I saw the once unlikely presidential candidate become an icon of epic proportions. I couldn't imagine this type of lunacy for Bill Clinton or Jimmy Carter. It was surreal! It was this type of maniacal devotion that drove me crazy during the election. I felt as if millions were buying more into hype than in reality. He was becoming the Sanjaya Malakar of the 2008 Election, (except Obama won his contest).

As a result, it had little to do with his policies (even though I didn't vote for him because of it), but more because of the red carpet treatment he was receiving by our nation suffering from a severe Obama crush. Because of this, it has overshadowed in some ways the fact that he is our nation's first African-American President, and that he is actually a good guy. I didn't even come close to feeling that way about our last Democratic president, where scandal seemed to follow him from the minute he took the oath of office. Let's remember, when people voted for change back in November it wasn't just change from President Bush, but from Bill Clinton, who was impeached for his behavior while serving in the White House.

I really feel Obama has our nation's best interests in mind. Although I don't agree with him on specific issues, I am confident he will think of the needs of our nation as a whole before mindlessly peddling the agenda of his political party (give it up Republicans, we lost).

I find it ironic, that the man he so mercilessly attacked during his campaign (George W. Bush) ended up being his ally and friend during the transition process. Obama is now the 5th living member of a very exclusive fraternity of men who have led this nation. As the media spent the last 9 years trying uncork the "conspiracy" behind the "axis of evil" known as President Bush, I am sure the last 90 days Obama has learned a whole new appreciation for the office of the President. Fortunately, I don't imagine the media will be as fierce against him as they were with W.

It's my sincere hope that if change is his agenda, the thing he will help change most is the partisan barrier between Americans. He won't succeed as a President if acts strictly as a Democrat. He's an American before anything else. Americans have proven these last several years we still care about our country and feel strongly about it. Let's use that energy to unite our nation and support him and pray for his well being, even though he wasn't the guy everyone voted for.

A lame beginning of the year post

I have nothing profound to say to begin the year with, but this. I've been sick the last 3 days. My throat has been beyond sore. It feels like I'm swallowing lava rocks every time I swallow. The last few nights have been a nightmare trying to sleep as I endure fevers and cold sweats. I stayed home from work yesterday, which I never do. Although it was fun to sit around and watch all the bonus material found on my UHF Special Edition DVD, I wanted to die, unless I downed 3 ibuprofen and waited the 15-20 minutes for the pills to work their magic.

Fortunately, neither of my children have contracted this and neither has Heather. I hope they don't. I was one who rarely missed work due to illness and have had 62 and 96 hours of vacation time when I left my last two jobs. But since I became a parent, I get very sick at least once a year (I can't imagine why). Since it's the first month of the year, I'm hoping that's it for 2009 and nasty illnesses. I don't mean to complain, but I am sure you all can relate. Isn't the internet great?

Goodbye to Our Cats

This past Saturday we ended a long lasting and unfortunately declining relationship with our two cats, Max and Marzipan. Although being cat owners early on was fun, the addition of children and the responsibilities associated with parenthood caused our priorities to change dramatically. It was surprisingly one of the more difficult things I have had to do recently, even though we mutually decided on it.

For those who know us, know my long going rivalry with these feisty felines. I butted heads with Heather early on when we were married only a year and the desire for cats came into Heather's consciousness. But it was me who after we picked up Marzipan on a Saturday afternoon in March of 2003 that suggested we get another. I do admit a moment of weakness on my part. I thought it would be good for brothers to be together and keep themselves occupied when we were away. They were adorable kittens and Heather and I enjoyed them. However, the honeymoon for me didn't last long and only a year later, there were many days wishing we didn't have them.

Max eats ribbon, string and those plastic rings you tear off the milk jug and later throws them up. He used to come into our room at night and eat Heather's silver jewelry and throw that up as well. Marzipan licked photographs and plastic bags like he was a coke junkie needing his next fix. He would over eat and then throw up his dinner 15 minutes later (and regurgitate if you know what I mean, if we didn't catch him). They both had their front claws, and as a result tore up two couches, my DJ equipment cases, carpets galore. They shed so much we couldn't allow them on our furniture. At times they snuck into our bed at night while we were sleeping. Sometimes as I was attempting to cuddle up next to Heather, I found a warm furball curled up in between us. I cut that off as soon as it started. They drove me crazy to no end, but it was me crying in the Minivan pulling away from the Denver Dumb Friends League on Quebec.

Heather was just as tired of them as I was. However, it took her a much longer period of time to feel this way. It was likely my vocal disdain for the cats that likely helped her want to keep the cats as long as we did. We decided mutually to say goodbye last Saturday. They were nearly out of food, and with all the changes to our home in the coming months I went ahead and took care of it.

We let the cats upstairs and I put them in their carrier. Caleb was playing with Max. Which means he was carrying him under the cats front legs and Max was tolerating the punishment. I put him in first, and found Marzipan nearby. The goodbye after nearly 6 years was pretty brief. They had no idea how much there lives were going to change. Caleb said goodbye like I was taking them with me to run errands, having no idea he was saying goodbye for the last time.

I loaded them in the car with a mostly filled bucket of cat litter. As I drove away, Max started to cry. He has never liked riding in the car and this time was no different. His cry is so strange sounding, he literally sounds like a little child when he cries.

As I walked in to the intake facility, the girl at the desk asked me some questions, entered in some information to the computer, and I filled out some paper work for each of the cats. As I filled out the paperwork, Max was taken out by a careworker and was carried away. Marzipan was right behind him. I didn't formally say goodbye to either of them, and I felt bad about it.

That afternoon a somber mood filled our house. Neither of us felt comfortable discussing the issue the entire day. We went to a Christmas party that night and upon our return, Caleb asked where the cats were. I nearly lost it. I choked back the tears and explained to Caleb they were at a new home. It has been weird coming home to a completely empty house, when Heather's away.

It's been nearly a week now, and my much more rational side has set in. My second thoughts of whether I had done the right thing subsided and looking back I feel like we made the right choice for them. I hope they find a new home, I understand the reality is they may not, at least in mortality. We couldn't provide a happy home for them anymore, and we gave them a chance at a better life whether it's in this one or the next.

Mark and Ben, it's now okay for you to come over to our house.

More to be Grateful for

In my attempt to be grateful via the blogosphere, I would like to take the time to express my gratitude to my wife. Aside from being very beautiful in every sense of the word, she has endured a lot with me. I know I frustrate her on a consistent basis, and perhaps another woman would have given up long ago, but I am grateful for her patience and unconditional love toward me.

Marriage is a funny thing. I have had friends over the years who have been to afraid to take the plunge when opportunity presents itself. Reasons for doing so usually are one of the following. They are either (a) concerned the person they are with isn't "the one" or (b) are stuck in an existing relationship and are too afraid to end it. For those who are unsure about whether they have met the right person, take this into account. Do you like being around her/him, is she/he living a good life and what kind of mother/father will she/he be? There is no way to look into a crystal ball and determine whether the person you have married or will marry is the right one. If you are waiting for a sign from the Heavens, it likely won't happen either. Sometimes (this is how it was for me), you have to take a leap of faith. I knew Heather for years prior, but only as an acquaintance. From the time we went on our first date, to the time we decided to get married it was about 2 weeks. We hardly knew each other, but we knew we were doing the right thing. Not because we could see our lives 5-10-20 years forward, but because we both acted on a spiritual impression. The only way something like that will work is through faith. I am thankful Heather had the faith in me to entrust her life to me.

To the other folks who are just drifting along and not happy in a relationship, you can always end it and move on. If you want to find the right person to spend your life with, be the type of person you would want to marry. That can work for good or bad. Once again, you need to have faith and trust that things will happen as they should. The only thing you can change about your situation is YOU. Work on yourself. You will find a capacity for growth and development for the better that will stay with you for your life and beyond. You will crave it like your favorite dish.

I know I went on a bit of a tangent, but I am attempting to make a point here. Had I not had the faith in the unknown over 7 years ago and get married to Heather, I never would have known so much joy. I am grateful for following on an impression and staying committed to that impression. My life has been blessed in so many ways because of my close relationship with my wife. I have learned so many things about myself, and helped me gain a capacity for compassion for others. Adding children to the equation has expounded on that too. I'm a better man because of her, and I hope that she is a better woman because of me. That's what marriage to the right person does for you.

Gratitude for Many Things

This week is Thanksgiving, also known as "Black Friday Eve." The poor holiday gets no respect. The very moment the lights have gone out on our jack-o-lanterns and our children have gorged themselves on their last piece of candy, the retail industry begins flooding the airwaves with Christmas themed commercials in an attempt to cash in on the festivity of the 25th of December. Although Christmas is certainly a bigger deal than Thanksgiving, it has easily overshadowed it.

Thanksgiving is a great time of year to reflect on the blessings we have received, and even though we have a four-day weekend in the works that we all look forward to, this is a significant day to be grateful. In that spirit, I am going to take the time to express gratitude for many things we have received as family in the last year.

Definitely the highlight of all blessings we have received this year is the increase in size to our family. Bryce has been such a sweet addition to our family. He has come a long way from being in the infant ICU at Lutheran Hospital to the large and in charge 5 month-old living in our home today. He is so even tempered, easily pleased and has the cutest laugh. I can't rave enough about the joy of fatherhood, and it gets even better with every new addition to our family. Like many of you who read this, having more children can always be a challenge, but the joy of having kids and the opportunity to be selfless and considerate that being a parent forces you to be is such a blessing. If you don't have children and are capable, please don't be afraid of it. It will bless you in many ways and teach you true joy and happiness.

I am also thankful for financial success. I don't mean to dive too deeply into this, but I am grateful that my parents taught me the value and blessings available to those who pay a full tithe and are generous in our offerings. I took the advice of a former bishop and decided this year to double my fast offering contributions. We have been blessed with funds that would have never would have come our way had we not decided to be generous in this regard.

I am grateful despite economic turmoil, our family is fed, we have a roof over our head that we aren't losing anytime soon, and we have reliable transportation. I heard a quote one time that said, "I complained that I had no shoes, until I met a man that had no feet."

My plan is, and with any luck, to add to this list throughout the week.

A Tribute to the Corolla

I would like to take the time to pay tribute, a eulogy if you will, to my dearly departed 1990 Toyota Corolla that I have called my own for the last 9 years. Yesterday the car was donated and towed away from my garage. Even though I am sad to see the car go, I am glad it happened. It couldn't start anymore, the headlight was missing, the stereo was stolen out of the car for the 3rd time, and it was embarrassing to drive this thing around after a while. It was my first car, and my only car for quite some time. Here are some stories I've had with this vehicle.

I found the car in a Rocky Mountain News ad in January 2000, only a couple of months after my return to Colorado from California. The car was purchased with a whopping 75,114 miles on it. I bought it from a retired car salesman who sold cars from his home for people who were too busy to do it on there own. Coincidentally (not ironically), the man who I bought it from lived literally 5 minutes from where I live now off Havana and Iliff for $4200.

I drove this car to Utah a couple of months after I bought it to my mission reunion. I still remember Dylan and I listening to the Beatles while driving down I-70 at 1 am in the middle of Utah.

In September of 2000, myself and a number of close friends went to see Moby at Red Rocks. On my way back out of the parking lot, my car ran out of gas. We were bailed out by a nice guy in a tow truck who happened to carry an extra couple of gallons in his truck. I spent the entire trip home listening to Mike Bonnstetter, Dylan, DANIELLE and Dan Hamblin teased me relentlessly. It was amusing to me, so I did my best Geoff impression from High School. I stopped the car, put it into park and declared, "That's it! I'm walking home!" Mike and Dylan absolutely lost it!

I took this car on my first date with Heather, and a few weeks later when we decided we were going to get married, that decision was made in that car. When we were married in August of the next year, my car was decorated and covered in shaving cream and shoe polish on the windshield indicating "Just Married."

I drove this car all the way through my 5 years of college, in snowy weather, in sunny weather, during the day, in the evening after work. When I finished college, I drove it across town to Aurora while I worked at Horan & McConaty.

The car endured over $3,000 worth of repairs in 9 years of ownership. I had the brakes replaced twice, had the interior dashboard replaced after the car stereo was stolen in 2002 from the parking lot of my apartment. I replaced the muffler twice, the battery twice. I lost the headlight on the passenger side driving from Colorado Springs 4 years ago, and was pulled over a total of 6 times by well meaning police officers who noticed I had a head light out (twice in one night about two years ago). It was our dependable, reliable mode of transportation while the starter, wiring and alternator on the 1998 Corolla went out on in during 2007.

I received a total of two speeding tickets while driving the car. Once while driving home from school clocked at 48 in a 35 about 2 blocks away from my parents house. I was pulled over a second time in Idaho doing 80 in a 55 with Heather in the car on our way back from Rexburg to Provo.

By the time it was said and done, the car had endured neary 95,000 more miles with me driving it. I knew things weren't going well when I started driving it a couple of months ago and after all of it's faithful travels, it started sputtering along, idling terribly, and getting horrible gas mileage. I knew we couldn't keep it going. A week later we bought our minivan. Even though I am glad to not be driving the car anymore, a small part of me rode out on that tow truck yesterday as I donated it to Radio 1190. Nearly a third of my life was spent in that car and with all the problems I had with it, it still started, it still ran without complaints, and functioned normally when it probably shouldn't have. It was a great worthwile investment, and I will miss that little car.

So there it is, a salute to the once low mileage compact car turned hoopty. If any of you have memories of my car, feel free to comment on it below!