No School, No Job,....No Problem!

If you haven't picked from the title, I've entered extended, post graduation, single, twenty-something vacation limbo. (see Jamie Cullum for further explanation) When it initially looked like I was going to be graduating with no immediate job prospects I was rather concerned. However, it slowly began to dawn on me that I had actually been given a nice break. How many people actually have to go rushing off to a 40 year career as soon as they graduate? Not me! Luckily I hadn't taken out tens of thousands in student loans to pay for a bachelors degree in English (no offense to the English Majors). I'm pretty sure something will come along sometime in the next.........well whenever Obama gets around to sending my check. Things have gotten quiet in happy valley with the exodus of all my friends who graduated. In the mean time I'm still putting in some time at my part time job, applying for real jobs, and working on the the ever needy fleet of aged German cars (and loving every minute of it). I definitely want to make the most of my pre-career vacation. The well traveled road has ended and now it's time to start making my own.

Graduation

Phew! Thought I'd never make it, but all of the sudden I was finished. Graduation was quick and nice. Rain was avoided and the sun was even shining. I'm glad I took the time and spent the money to get an education, even if I am still unemployed (maybe especially).

California, anyone?

Snow, snow, snow. Not only does snow mess up a perfectly clean car, but it also.........well, actually that's probably the most upsetting thing about snow.

The worst of the cold here in Provo is most likely over. Even with the snow the temperature has been hovering at freezing or above-verses single digit temperatures. Last Sunday was almost warm. As I watch the weather channel I can't help but notice the sunny forecast and mid 60's temperature of California. While the CA smog is bad, it's rarely as bad as a well set in Utah Valley inversion.

I spent most of last week in Reno at a construction competition. The BYU teams did alright. We did better than we did last year and improvement is always good. Having gone to this competition three times now I am more than willing to let someone else give it try. It's fun, it provides some great opportunities for jobs, but it is exhausting.

As I happen to be graduating in a couple of months, finding a job was pretty high on my list of things to do at the competition last week. I spoke with a lot of employers, and found out about a lot of companies. On a side note, did you know that the Army Corp of Engineers is staffed by mostly non-engineers and none of them are in the army? Perhaps a name change would solve the confusion. I don't have anything official yet, but I do have some good prospects. Some of the jobs are out in California and I've been debating whether or not I could even afford to live out there. I spent the better part of a morning looking for homes on the internet in areas I would possibly live, and come to find out now would be a great time to buy a home in California! I've been told by just about everyone that going back to Ely for work would not be the best idea as a single male.

At this point who knows where I will end up. All I can say is that the more it snows the better California looks.

The Beginning of a Season

The cameras of C-span would probably be hard pressed to find a more auspicious gathering than the crowd gathered for the inauguration of our nation's 44th president. Seated on the historic Mall on a this cold January day were veterans of wars past, soldiers of current conflicts, families dealing with present problems, past leaders bent low from the strain of public service, and the promise of something different. I can probably say with some certainty that this was probably the largest gathering on the Mall in Washington that my generation has ever seen and it was impressive.

As I listened throughout the day (on NPR of course) to people who were calling in to express their feelings about the day I was impressed with the number of people who remarked that the events of this day had helped them to realize how deep they had buried their patriotism over the past years. Conversely, hearing these people made me realize how refreshing it felt to finally hear someone say what needed to be said; that there are problems and with work--work meaning some service and sacrifice on our part--we can change the situation we currently find ourselves in. I think the majority of Americans have also felt as I have that finally, our human nature has been appealed to as apposed to our ideals of capitalism or our sense of entitlement. I am deeply encouraged by this vast positive response from people all across this country. I may not agree with all of the ideas of President Obama, but there probably isn't anyone else who's ideas I completely get behind either. However, unity is definitely something I can completely get behind, and if President Obama can obtain that for America--and I believe he just might--then I believe our future as country has the potential to be very bright.

For the next four years my prayers are with our new President, Barack Obama. I hope and pray that he will be able to deliver on his high ideals. He has my service and sacrifice at his disposal.

Where Does it End?

This is a questions that I can imagine some of you asking. Others I know are wondering why I only have three. Still, others are thinking,"why three of those." The simple fact is that it doesn't matter, I'm having fun.



Once again I headed off to California to harvest another mid-80's Volkswagen. I flew in to SFO, bought the car, and spent the rest of the weekend with some friends in wine county (Napa). Doesn't it all sound so high brow? I would love to say that I was staying at someone's vineyard, but the truth is that it was a commiserating car junkie who happens to do estimating for a construction company in Napa. Fine people by the way.

I didn't even have to make any harrowing trips to the Pick-n-Pull this time.

This new addition to the collection is a 1986 Volkwagen Quantum Syncro Wagon. It was purchased new in the bay area and I am it's third owner. It has been well maintained. The previous owner had owned it for the last 15 years and used it to get up to his time share in Tahoe to go skiing. The rest of the time it enjoyed the endless sunny days in costal California.

The Quantum was built in German and only 3000+ examples made it to US shores. (only a handful of those that were imported were the Syncro all-wheel-drive models). The Quantum is the predicesor to the more familiar Passat model. The Syncro model is unique in that it comes with the same drive train that the famous Audi rally racing coupes of the 1980's used. The engine is a 2.2 liter in-line 5 that sits entirely in front of the front axle. The engine is mated to a 5 speed manual transmission that sends the power from the engine out to all four wheels through 3 open differentials. Using a knob on the dash the driver can lock the center and rear differentials. This locks three wheels right to the engine. (For your information that's more than a 4x4 truck, the most they lock is 2 wheels) The car has 4 wheel disk brakes and some other fun options. I tried it out in the snow and ice yesterday and it was a blast!

Sure, I could have just bought some good snow tires for the GTI or got out the ever trusty Bug, but come on people--there are cars to be bought!

How the Max stole Thanksgiving

Alright, now before everyone goes rushing to point out that this is actually a UCLA vs BYU game picture let me me assure you that I know. It is against my morals to post anything having to do with the U of U on my blog, and the picture fit.

Twas the weekend before Thanksgiving and all through The Valley BYU fans were holding their breath. Of those fans that were holding their breath for a BYU win over Utah most probably chose to voluntarily quit breathing and die at the half out of shear disgust.

"How did a it come to this after such a good start to our season?" some of you may be asking. It's simple really, it can all be attributed to the mormon factor. Mormons are notorious for doing one of three things when required to preform:
1. They show up late.
2. They don't show up at all.
3. The show up early so they can
leave early.

The Courgars chose option three this year. It really isn't taught in sunday school that enduring to the end means showing up on time too.

After throwing five interceptions during the Utah game, Max Hall is about to learn what BYU are really like. Oh yes, these good Christian people are usually just one bad throw from turning and rending you (yes, like swine). I feel we've really given the team quite a bit of slack this year on account of their outstanding wins early in the season. BYU fans can almost forgive anything if the team will hand us win over Utah. However, Max has made the one fatal mistake, a really sucky game against Utah. For many this Thanksgiving the turkey will taste dry no matter how good it really is, and that is how the Max stole Thanksgiving.

The Propostion 8 Debacle

I would just like to get my two cents out there on this topic.

When I first heard that the LDS Church had come out with an official letter asking members in California to donate of their time and means to get Proposition 8 passed I was a little taken back. In my mind, as Americans, people have the right to marry llamas if they want. Personally I don't see either humans marrying llamas or same gender humans marrying each other as a good thing. If they want to do these things then that is their business. Just like it's my business if I want to go on a mission for two years or do temple work for those who have already passed on. However, it wasn't until I read the report on the meeting that LDS leaders had with California church members that I realized what Proposition 8 was actually fighting.

If Proposition 8 isn't passed gay marriage will become a public issue. Schools will have to teach kids about gay marriage, and churches and other organizations that do not support gay marriage could loose their tax free status and other rights. I am in favor of gay couples having the same legal rights as traditional married couples: hospital visitation, tax benefits, life insurance, etc. Nonetheless, I do not think that means that children should be taught in school that gay marriage is just the same as traditional marriage any more than I think that schools should teach kids that marrying a llama is something they should look into when they grow up. This kind of issue is not in the government's scope of work.

In my mind the issue here is whether or not gay marriage is a public issue or a private issue, and in my mind it is strictly a private issue. What other people choose to do in their lives, homes, and/or llama pastures is their business and in no way does it or should it diminish my home or my relationship with my family. As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints it is my duty to be an example of Christ-like living. The LDS Church has nothing against people who profess to be gay. It just is not a lifestyle we think is good for the people who choose to live it nor does it provide a good environment for the rearing of children. It is a shame that the government of California has backed both parties of this debate into a situation where the exercising of one group's rights will infringe on the rights the other. In my opinion the fewest rights will be infringed if Proposition 8 passes.