"Work's So Fun"

"Work's So Fun." Aja said this unsolicited a couple years ago while we were washing the car. We actually captured it on video and plan to pull it out when she is a lethargic teen to remind her of her deep-seeded zeal for hard labor.

I was a lethargic teen. As I've grown older I've really come to enjoy hard physical labor. Since we moved in into this new house in September of 2006, a huge chunk of my spare time has been spent laboring. Actually, the house repairs have been hard physically and creatively. The architect who built and lived in this place for the first 6 years had an affinity for odd sized, difficult to replace fixtures.

This past week, we were finally able to replace/fix some items we're really excited about.

1. The cabinet hardware. The old stuff was an impossible to find, custom size. We were able to replace it with a standard 3.75 inch pull that has a large base that covers the old and new hole. The end result looks like we have new cabinets. I'm glad we spent only $250 for new hardware vs. 10 grand+ to replace everything.
2. Raised garden beds on our upstairs deck. We're getting hooked-up for Armageddon. Our latest preparedness endeavor is a decent sized garden up on our deck outside the master bedroom. Wake up and eat a carrot. Yum. Here are some pictures of our labor. The girls were making "birthday cakes" with their wood blocks and nails...naturally.















3. A meandering path. We are going lawn-less in the front yard. We smothered the lawn in mulch last fall. Yesterday we carved out this path. We used the flagstone (leftover from last summer's walk way project) and added some river-rocks to finish it off. Next we are going to plant an assortment of decorative grasses, dahlias, and colorful bulbs.
One last thing. What's up with this crazy-early day-daylight savings? I'm gonna be getting up at the equivalent of 4AM for Seminary now. Lame.

Swing Out Sisters

Much of my life still revolves around music...and my little girlies of course. This week we have all been giddy about Swing Out Sister's new release Beautiful Mess. You may remember this band from the 80's for their hit Breakout. Since then they have perfected their jazz-oriented-pop sound and have built a big following in Japan (I know that sounds funny, but it's true).

Anyway, Aja and Anna have been taking turns this week listening on the iPod around the house. They like to "groove" as they say.














Here's the video for one of the new tunes, Something Everyday. It's positive, catchy, pop...I love it.

I Wanna Rock

I've always loved Twisted Sister. These guys are pure comedy. Dee Snider and the boys did a dead-pan job of mocking serious hair bands of the mid-late 80's. "I Wanna Rock" and "We're Not Gonna Take It" are sure to bring a smile to the face of anyone who appreciates a guy with a fluffy mullet.

So, imagine my surprise when my employer, WaMu, released a commercial with "I Wanna Rock" as the soundtrack. It is further evidence to me that I'm working at the right place. How many other Fortune 100 companies would put their brand identity in the hands of high school drop-outs who wear makeup and spandex?

(here's a youtube version below...you'll get the gist)

Vietnameese Sandwitches

This is the best 3 bucks you'll ever spend: Bahn Mi. I discovered these Vietnamese Sandwiches when we moved to Seattle 7 years ago. It combines oodles of my favorite things: crunchy/soft baguette, grilled meats, fresh vegies, jalapeños, etc. Yum.

Carmen and I had a great one today in our favorite restaurant "88 Restaurant" in West Seattle. It's actually clear across town from us now that we've moved to Issaquah, but every time we're over in our old stompin' grounds we can't resist. (we were over there for a multi-Stake YM Modesty Fashion Show...it was good fun).

The restaurant is owned and run by a family that we've grown close to over the years. Their 14 year old son is often the waiter. The 11 year old daughter often acts as cashier while she works on her homework. The mom, Nikki, asks how our moms are doing. We often take them there when we pick them up from the airport, because it's nearby. In addition to the sandwich appetizers we love the Mango Salad, Bun (aka "Bowl of Stuff"), and Panang Curry. Life is good when you are eating Vietnamese Food.

Little baby Liv has been sick this week. So sad. She is a special kid though. Between the coughs and snot, she is still quick with a smile and a giggle. We love her. Here she is wearing a sweater I bought on my mission in Scotland 16 years ago.

Gates of Paradise

I went to Lorenzo Ghiberti's "Gates of Paradise" exhibit yesterday. I'd be a fool not to...my office is in the same building as the Seattle Art Museum.

I was blown away at the level of artistry and detail in the 3 panels that are icons of the Florentine Renaissance that are visiting the US for the first time. I was also blown away the Esau would trade his birthright to Jacob for a measly bowl of soup! The Old Testament has some crazy funny stuff (actually the word "stuff" is in the OT as well as a woman named Oprah!).

Here's a nice article about the exhibit that was in the Seattle Times. The picture is of The Creation panel.

Trees of Life

Carmen and I really like the tree of life motif. Art Nouveau is a style that just looks cool. It combines natural elements with simple, stylized designs. For me it started in Scotland with Charles Renee MacKintosh and then it continued in Chicago with Louis Sullivan and Frank Lloyd Wright.

Yeah, I recognized that there was a religious significance too, but I didn't really get it. I still just really liked the way art nouveau looked. Last week in church we discussed the Book of Mormon's 1Nephi 8. We talked about how the tree represents Jesus Christ.

Sure, trees in artwork represent other things too. Yet, I liked the symbolism as it relates to the Savior. Fall, Winter & Spring represent the death and resurrection. The fruit of the tree represents all of Christ's best gifts. Etc, etc.

Now I'm reminded of Christ when I look some of my favorite artwork. Here's some that we have hung on our walls.

(Top- a cotton tapestry inspired by Gustav Klimt; Bottom Left - The Tree of Life woodcut...created by and on loan from my sister Jenny Mohanty; Bottom Right - Center of tree abstract by Jenny Mohanty...the trees out the window predate the house.)

Farewell to a Prophet

I love this man. I was privileged to meet with him while on a mission in Scotland. He gave us the advice his father had given him while he was a missionary in the UK back in the 1930s..."Forget yourself and go to work." I have been inspired by that quote many times throughout my life when I have felt like not giving my best effort.

Here is one of my favorite quotes from May 2005 of his that illustrates his self deprecating humor. When this talk comes on my iPod it always makes me laugh...

"I am now in my 95th year. I never dreamed that I would live this long. My life reminds me of a sign that hung by a rusty staple to a run-down barbed-wire fence in Texas. It read:

Burned out by drought,
Drowned out by flud waters,
Et out by jackrabbits,
Sold out by sheriff,
Still here!"

It's easy to say I'm a better person today because of the attitude, actions & inspiring counsel of Gordon B. Hinckley. Praise to this man.