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.

Small-land @ IKEA

Today is Anna's 3rd birthday! She has been looking forward to it for months. Not so much for the presents and the pink cake...at 3 she meets the minimum age requirement for "the Balls IKEA." For months she's been reminding us this is her ultimate birthday fantasy.

This morning we fulfilled her birthday wish. She had a ball (no pun intended). Here are some photos.

BTW - We topped of the visit with a plate of Swedish Meatballs and Lingenberry Sauce. Yum!

Blizzard Mahem

No, it's not a new flavor at the DQ.

We had a great day goofing in the snow up near Snoqualmie Pass on Saturday. It's about 25 minutes from our place. It's nice to live less than a 1/2 hour from either the Mountains or the Sea.

At one point, when I was unsuccessfully trying to throw snowballs at a sign Carmen said,"I had a feeling you weren't that good at throwing." I guess she didn't marry me because I'm a jock.

Here are some photo highlights. We couldn't resist snapping this first one of Anna. Click to enlarge.