Getting the Vote Out

While I was performing my civic duty the other night, early voting, I saw that there was a candidate running for state senate who was running unopposed. I had heard from a credible source that he may not be as upstanding as he once was. I just could not bring myself to vote for the incumbent republican state senator. I was at an impasse, so I thought the only other option would be to vote for myself. So I did. Then I announced to my wife who was sitting next to me on the bed that I was officially running for Arizona State Senate District 22. It was a stirring address. It is a moss roots movement for sure, but you have got to start somewhere.
I'm being endorsed by my wife, one of my co-workers and fellow Gilbert-ite, and one of the families that I home teach. I think I have a solid 7 votes. I'll need a few more on Tuesday.
I appointed my 14 year old son to be my campaign manager and he said before it got too out of hand he thought one of us needed to change our last name. I released him from his duties, I didn't like the direction he was taking the campaign. A vote for me is a vote for.....I'm still working on that one. I'm feeling lucky!

My Day Off

At work we are uniquely trying to prepare for the slow down that is on the horizon by being frugal and thrifty all the while we are wasting money through inefficiencies due to being buried under too much work. It is frustrating. So frustrating that yesterday I got so fed up that I walked out of a management meeting telling the group that I was sick of this and I wasn't coming back tomorrow. That felt good to say so I thought it would be cool to try. I let my project managers, and some of my foreman know that they were on their own because I'm taking the day off.

So far, this is how my day off has gone:

4:00am- I woke up even after I purposely didn't set my alarm so I could sleep in, on my day off!

4:00-5:30- Layed in bed trying to convince myself to sleep, but really thinking about what needs to happen at work.

5:30- Get up and go out to my truck to get my phone so I can make some calls. I left it in my truck, because it was my day off, and I would not need it.

5:30-6:15- Make 5 phone calls.

6:15- Go back to bed to snuggle my little sweetheart.

6:15:03- My half asleep wife exclaims, "What are you doing?! Your arms are freezing! Leave me alone!"

6:15:05- 6:30- Layed in bed thinking about what needs to happen for work on Monday.

6:30- Went downstairs to grab my lap top so I can organize my Monday, but I will do it while I lay in bed, because it my day off.

6:30-7:00 - Attain a level of comfort by organizing my Monday schedule, check emails but don't respond because it's my day off!

7:00-7:30 - Layed in bed devising a plan to respond to my emails without compromising my day off.

7:30- now- Looking for ways to distract myself from work because it's my day off!

So far days off are harder than days on.

A first, at last.

Last night I took Jacob, my 14 year old son to the Priesthood session of General Conference. Since he was very little I looked forward to the time when I would be able to take him. I remember three years ago, six priesthood sessions ago, telling the men that I had attended with that this was my last time I would go with them. This was because I was going to be attending exclusively with my son who would be 12 soon. I was so excited. The men looked at me funny and one spoke up and said, why can't we still go with you and Jake? I didn't have a good answer, but I told them that was not the way it works.

Fast forward six months, conference time. The long anticipated day had arrived, I called Jake in from the park across the street where he was playing with two of his friends. They were brothers and both were in his deacons quorum. Their step dad was not a member, so I told them to go get dressed and report to my truck promptly. I took all three boys. This became a tradition, soon we added another boy, and a couple of men along the way. Over the years it has been quite a gathering of friends, cousins, uncles and whom ever else needed some companionship. I have always been pleased with the company I've been in, but at the end of the night I felt like I missed the one on one time with my boy. Nevertheless we were doing our duty.

Yesterday afternoon I started calling the troops, there seemed to be a series of conflicts and circumstances that left Jake and I without anyone but each other. When Jake found out that it was just us he said he really didn't want to go. I pretended like I didn't hear that and went up to get dressed, despite he comments, he did the same.

It was a great session. I felt like the every message was either for me of for Jake.

Our tradition is to go to Cafe Posada, a quaint little Mexican restaurant, for supper. We had one hour before Simon's football game, so time was of the essence. Jake was not too thrilled to go with just me. Lately, the only talking we do has to do with him telling me I don't know anything and me pontificating on all the knowledge and wisdom I have and how much better off he'd be by listening to me. I decided to put aside the counsel and wisdom talk and just talk football. We had a wonderful time. I did alot more listening and praising and in turn, he more and more talking. It was less like a father/son talk but friends talking. I cannot speak for him, but I needed that. We had just the right amount of time together. I am so thankful for that opportunity. Later that night as I was reflecting I realized that at the next Priesthood session Chipper will be 12. So there it was, the first time and more than likely the last time Jake and I will partake in such an evening as this. I am thankful for this night.

Take a knee, boys.

I've done a swell job for the past few years putting my kids on teams with people who have strong leadership skills and a decent competitive nature. This has helped me evade being a head coach. I love being the assistant; show up when you can, spout off cliches and one liners about hard work or the importance of practice, stuff like that.


I have three boys in sports. Jake is in high school, he has paid coaches now. All I do is show up and sit in the stands. Simon is on a fine flag football team coached and managed by men with the aforementioned qualities. Chip is playing fall basketball with four of the boys from his perennial winter team. Same coach too. I help out when needed. All is well, I thought.


Yesterday I received a call from Chip's coach informing me that he will be moving in two weeks. That put the heavy burden of head coach squarely on my shoulders. I feel like Shooter, the character played by Dennis Hopper in Hoosiers.

Shooter is one of my favorite coaches and I feel a list coming on,

My Favorite Coaches, real and fictitious, in no order:

John Wooden- does it get better than this? It may, keep reading.


Tommy Lasorda- I love the portly little Italian man's passion. Go Dodger Blue!


Morris Buttermaker (Water Mathau)- I loved his unconventional approach to youth sports.


Mike Leak (William Devane)- Nothing brings estranged fathers back to their sons like little league baseball.


Dave Marshall- My J.V. basketball coach. He had a big heart, and expected us to do our best. He also would tell me before games if I got tired let him know otherwise I was playing the whole game.


Chuck Warnick- Ward basketball coach. He personified cool under pressure with a simple head nod and a "Howdy".



Mr. Montgomery Burns- On one episode he assembled a company softball team..it is one of the best Simpson's ever.




Bill Yost & Herman Boone- Football coaches at T.C. Williams High School. I would have loved to play for these guys. I remember the Titans.


So tonight I will be coaching Chips team. I will keep these coaching influences in the forefront of my mind.