Jack the Hairstylist

I find that I write more about Jack in this blog, and that is mainly because he is 2 and into trouble than Ryan. Ryan outgrew this stuff about 2 years ago or more. Jack gives me more writing material at the present time--or at least material that is easy pickings for the blog. In fact, life for us must be sort of like life is for the man in the yellow hat in the Curious George books. Often the only thing different between Jack and Curious George is the amount of body hair.

I came how from doing some research for another lawyer and Bridget tells me that I need to see what Jack has done. He had taken some styling creme and grabbed two handfuls and put it in his hair. You only need just the tiniest of dabs when using on an adult size head of hair.

Earlier in the day Jack had wanted to know what the little tub of stuff was for. Bridget helped him put just a little bit in his hair and helped him style it. Not long after Bridget went into the bedroom to change to go out and he went back into the bathroom ang grabbed it and took it under the dining room table. By the way, the dining room table is one of Jacks places to hide if he thinks he is in trouble or if he is going to do something he knows will get him in trouble. Anyway, that is where Bridget found him and this is what his hair looked like when he was done. By the time the pictures was taken she had already gotten out much of the stuff and he hair was no longer mohawk-like.

Bummed out Bridget

Bridget was released last week from her calling as the Laurel advisor in the Young Women's organization. The calling required a bit of work from her; there were the Tuesday night activities, occasional Saturday outings, and lessons almost every Sunday. When she told me I thought for an instant that she might be relieved to have that burden lifted. Then I remembered that this is Bridget and NOT me. She loved that calling. She was completely out of sorts about the whole thing. I would have to say that she was pissed. She had been in for about a year and felt like she was finally to the point where she felt trusted by the girls.

She wondered at first if it was the fact that she is pregnant. The Young Womens president who was also released is also pregnant. She was indignant about it and questioned the reasoning. At one point considered not showing up to church when they released her and announced the new people. She didn't know if she could honestly raise her hand to support those newly called. She spent some time crying occasionally too. As for myself I was mostly just torqued that my wife was offended/hurt/etc.

I write this not to poke fun at her or to disagree with what was done. No, I write this because I think it is important to note that sometimes in life we get all bummed out about things that are not meant to slight us or to punish us. Such was the case here. Sometimes what is done is to stave of some great damage or save those with greater needs.

Little did we know that there were events transpiring that would make it very difficult for the old YW president, RW, to function in her role. Simply put, her husband, CW, lost his job, was almost arrested, and they may have to move. This is a result of CW's brother getting a divorce. He worked for the brother and the brother ran a company with his soon to be ex-wife. She is doing her best to destroy his extended family in pretty much every way possible. This includes firing CW from the business owned and run by CW's brother and sister-in-law, accusing him of diverting assets away from the company for personal use of CW and CW's brother (which is not true--or at least he did nothing illegal or unethical) and try to remove them from the house which is owned by her and the CW's brother.

I am sure it will all work out for them. They are great people and they will assuredly land on their feet. Too bad it came at such an inconvenient time. RW is due to have their third child in a month or so. They seem to be handling it all very well.

It is understandable that she would be released. Bridget was just collateral damage. The new YW President would want to work with someone that she can best get along with since the Laurel advisor works very closely with the president. The new president, while a very nice person, is not someone that Bridget would relate well too probably. This is not a bad thing either. Frankly, I don't think we would ever "hang" with her and her husband. No biggie, but it makes sense that Bridget would be released under these circumstances.

Still, Bridget had a very hard time saying goodbye to her girls on Sunday. But she realized that it was for the best under the circumstances.

Lessons have been learned though. We don't always have the complete picture, well, actually we rarely do. Those with the stewardship of the calling should be entitled to the benefit of the doubt. In this case it appears that the Bishop and his counselors were guided to make their decision when they did. The timing was too perfect. although the result was not what Bridget would have liked, I think that both of us had a faith-building experience.

It is all in the Name

On a public radio station on the way home from church they relayed some message that there was going to be a "Friends of Chamber Music" meeting somewhere soon.

The fact there is there a group dedicated to chamber music at all surprises me. I am wondering if there isn't just a little bit of false advertising here: Is there really a plurality of people that are "friends" of chamber music? Why?

I think it should have been announced that "The 'Friend' of Chamber Music' is going to drown himself in his sorrows next Sunday in an abandoned building's basement. He is plotting to overthrow the government and force his outmoded music upon us. Please someone go stop him! This music, that in all honesty should have the word 'torture' put in front of it and needs to be put down."

Friends of chamber music....yeah, right. Maybe it is really a code name for some group into kinky weird stuff. Afterall, who would want to go at all otherwise? The only people that actually go are those who understand that it is a code name for something subversive and/or illegal. hmmmm....

By the way on another random note, if you are a one of a million type of guy in China, there are another 1000 guys just like you there....

Hardcore Tattoo Artist

OK, Stephanie, you want something new, here you go...

Jack likes to give himself "tattoos". That is what he calls them. I don't know why or when this started, but it has been going on for awhile. He goes and finds colored felt tip markers and hides somewhere and draws on his feet. Only on his feet. No walls, tables, or anything else inappropriate. Just his little feet. He thinks that they are pretty cool. We don't let him do it, but somethings he is pretty clever. It doesn't take him long either. Either Ryan or he could be drawing and then presto, Jack finds a spare minute and he has a tattoo on his foot or feet.

So here is his latest bit of art...

Gender Roles

First off, before I get myself in trouble, Bridget has been saying for sometime that she really doesn't want to work--she would rather be at home with the kids raising them. She didn't always feel this way. Before any kids, I don't believe that she felt quite so sure that she wouldn't want to have some sort of career. The fact that after two kids she still feels this way says something about how she is able to handle life with kids and that it is rewarding for her. The fact that I don't enjoy the thought of spending many consecutive days on end with the boys while she works says something else. And the reality is that I dread it more as I think about having another one. I don't do babies very well. If someone could figure out a way to have them pop out at about a 1 year old's developmental capacity, please let me know. I can write the patent for it--pro bono. And if for some reason I can't I will pay to have it done. Babies are nothing but trouble with some occassional cuteness to keep you going, thus preventing you from putting them up for adoption. That is harsh, but that is the truth.

Anyway,That being said, our current situation is not my ideal one. Bridget works part-time and I work part-time. When she is working I am watching the boys. So while this means I only have two full days a week solo with them, sometimes it is more than enough. They are not bad kids, and they have been pretty good thus far today. Actually, it gets better the older they get. They do play with each other much of the day making it possible for me to complain on this blog.

I, however, go stir crazy. I gotta be doing something. I can't relax enough to read usually. So, I will make up errands to go and do, even if this is only a trip to the 7-11 or Circle K. Or, at the very least I try to make up a project if I can.

For instance, today we have built a train track.


The ideal train track is one that the trains can hit every part of the track and be able to go both directions on all parts of the track. That usually takes a little bit of thought and planning and so I don't mind building them. Sometimes I enjoy it. However, today it was a race. Jack wants to play with it while I am building it. This means that he is consistently in the way and occassionally knocks things down. Plus, he keeps asking if it is done yet the whole time. But once it was done it was nice to be able to mess around for a bit.

That was the high point of the day thus far. Then they started arguing and so on. Normal stuff really but it drives me nuts after a bit. I tried to get us out of the house, but if Jack wanted to go to the Library, Ryan didn't. Then a bit later I offered to take them to McDonalds, and then Ryan wanted to go but Jack wouldn't. So we are still here. Now Barney and Friends is on TV and I am about ready to tear out my remaining hair. I can't handle this show. I would turn it off, but then the boys would be at each other again. I don't think I can handle that without losing it.

I am not made for this Mr. Mom stuff. I am sorry to say something so politically incorrect, but I think that in general, women are better able to handle the responsibilities of being with the kids solo than men. Oh, man, Jack just crapped his pants....oh well, the fun continues.

Bad Backs and Newport News

I will start with the Bad Back part first. I have this issue, a continual issue with my lower back. For long periods of time it can be great. Other times problematic. Same thing goes with my left hip. Currently both are killing me. As in right freaking now. I will live, and it will get better, but for now I try either to remain lying down or standing. Currently I am standing while typing at the kitchen counter. The counter is high enough that I don't have to bend over to type. Not exactly sure what set it off, but it is possible that my cycling this week did it combined with moving bikes around at the shop. Mom-in-law thinks it my be a partially ruptured disc. Sweet. Not bad enough to have surgery or anything, just bad enough to hurt and limit what I can do for a bit. Anyway, things could be worse.

Above is a pic just at the eastern outskirts of town of Newport, Oregon. You can see the ocean in it. Pretty sweet stuff. It was a beautiful morning. Yesterday I interviewed with a firm there. I even knew one of the lawyers there from life back at the dorms at BYU. He didn't recognize my name, but once he saw my face it all came back to him. We lived on the same floor during our freshman year.

I think if I wanted the job, I have could have had it. They basically said as much at the end of the interview. Yea! But you can't get too excited about things yet. Afterall, one has to analyze the whole deal. Unlike the bike shop where low pay is a temporary issue, getting involved with a firm that doesn't pay is a little harder to get out of. Plus, moving the family down to Newport is a big deal. It is a very nice town on the coast, and the ocean is beautiful to see, but it only has a population of 10,000. Still the live there is very tempting. The partners who inteviewed me are my type of guys. Hardworking but laid back. The inteview lasted about 2 hours and the coversation probably could have gone on quite a bit longer.

Without going into all of the details, it was a fair compensation plan and a great working environment. But, probably the situation that would work for a guy with large loans and multiple kids and a wife who would not be working. The town is small and just can't support a lot of lawyers. The average wage of the other associate lawyers at the firm is probably $50K-$70K. That ain't going to cut it after practicing for 5-10 years, which is who long some had been there. The trade off is that the annual billing hours are about 1100 to 1300 hours. So there is lots of time for other things. That would be sweet, but we need more money. Here in Portland we have a network of support, and Bridget has a part time job and does some day care that brings in some extra money. That would all be gone. With the network gone the pay has to be higher there than here in Portland really for me to accept a job. So I had to pass.

Yeah, kind of a bummer, but at least I had a great interview. I regained some confidence and momentum in this whole job search thing. Anyway, I will keep on going. On the whole my mood is better; it is just to bad my body is breaking down on me.

Text messaging on cell phones

This a public announcement to those that occassionally text us messages on the cell phone. We are not going to be opening those messages anymore. They cost like 20 cents for us to even open them and read them on our phone plan. I think this is a little rediculous. So if you want to get a hold of us, call or email.

Thanks,
The Management

Stupid Cat

Our cat Clyde was outside most of the night. He is usually inside and sleeps either on our bed or Jack's bed. The clock reads 4:15 in the morning he needs to come in. And since he meows all around the house until you let him in, it is hard to ignore him--unless you are like Bridget and put a pillow over your head.

I let the stupid cat in and then went to back to bed. A couple minutes later he is meowing up a storm becuase he wants food. The thing is I know he has food, he just won't go downstairs to check. Nope, he usually wants some company to go downstairs. It seems I also have to go down with him to go through the routine of putting more food down there even if there already is some, becuase otherwise he often will complain if you don't, by meowing. It makes no sense. He either doesn't believe there is food down there, which there usually is, or it is as if I am supposed to freshen his bowl with food in order for it to be good enough for him. But like I said, he wouldn't even go down to check to see if there was food by himself. So I went down the stairs, stirred the dry food that was in the bowl around and that made him happy. I didn't put anymore food in there, just mixed it up a bit so that he thinks I did something to his food. Thereafter, he began eating and has not made a noise since.

Anyway, he is all happy now. I am still awake. It is of little use trying to go back to sleep. I have to leave to go swimming at 6am. This is going to be a long day. Stupid cat.

Valentines Day Dance (Now with NO Dancing!)

Please excuse the poor quality of the picture; it is just scanned into our computer from a picture taken last night at the stake's adult dance. We had a great time, but the dance had very little to do with it. And we didn't dance at all, thankfully.

First, we went in a Limo. Yep, first time for me. Jeff and Natalie Call invited us to go with them in a Limo. He has a hook up some how or another. Three other couple came with us too; the Candlands, and the Mareadys. After dinner we picked up the Griggs. Dinner was at Jake's Steakhouse, where we did not have steak. Basically I was feeling cheap, and Bridget was feeling nauseated. I had a dish that included Linguini, smoke-cured bacon, cherry tomatoes, carmelized onions and some random herbs. I thought it would be interesting (and cheap), but instead it was awesome! Bridget had some ravioli with various things in it, which was good, but the flavors were overpowering after a bit. The salad was very good, too.

We had good conversation and, of course, a fun ride to the dance. At the dance we hooked up with the Odils, who are great to talk to. We watched others dance and laughed at them. We ate too many desserts. Then we went home. A good night. No boys, who didn't seem to mind since they were with their cousin, Cassie.

Also, it was kind of interesting: We had a doctor, a dentist, an accountant, and a lawyer all together. It sounds like the start of a joke of something. With people on hand with legal, medical, and financial experience we were ready for most emergencies. Except for getting held up or where there was some show of force needed--we would have all been useless in that respect.

Update on the Job Update

I applied to a few things over the past two days. A job with the Department Of Veteran Affairs in Seattle, a firm in Hillsboro, one in Newport, one in Downtown Portland, and the previously mentioned Harry & David job down in Medford. I applied to the Hillsboro firm because it is fairly close to here and because Bridget said so. I frankly am not excited about that firm at all. It might have showed on a subconscious level though. I forgot to change the date on my cover letter. When I apply to these jobs I usually rip off a previous cover letter for a similar position. The cover letter I adapted for the Hillsboro firm was from early January. The job wasn't posted until late January. They will instantly know what I did. Whether they care or not remains to be seen. Frankly I don't care about that firm anyway so whatever...

I think I wrote a killer letter to Harry & David, but I won't hear about that for a while. Big entities seem to take their own sweet time making decisions. I had to send it to a Human Resources Department which means it will take even longer. But still I am hopeful.

A friend in the ward called and asked for my resume. He passed it on to a firm in his building downtown. Apparently one of the partners in this firm was whining about the fact that he had much to do but didn't want to take the time to hire someone. My friend who is a partner in his large firm recommended me and gave him my resume. Sweet. Maybe something comes of it and maybe not. But still it is cool to have him think of me.

The Newport, Oregon firm was something I submitted materials to on a lark. I thought there was little hope that they would give me much of a look, and so I didn't even perform my normal research in to the firm. I didn't go to the firm's website or anything. I just quickly put a letter together and sent off my materials. I had to send my transcript along which is not something that I am overly proud of. I mean I am not entirely ashamed of it, but my last semester sucked. I can explain a significant portion of it because of my appendectomy right at finals time. But that wasn't in my cover letter. Usually if a transcript is asked for it means that they are looking for someone with stellar grades. I am mid-pack. Yet they called today to schedule an interview. Weird. I was way happy, but that is pretty quick turnaround. I only sent my materials yesterday.

So after the interview is scheduled (next Wednesday) I decided that it might be a good idea to get more info on the firm besides what was posted on the job description. At it turns out there is a guy there from BYU. And that guy is someone whose name seems really familiar...I googled him and found a picture of him. Yep, same guy I thought it was; I am 90% sure that he lived on the same floor as me in the dorms at BYU. Weird. So now I am wondering if I am getting the interview because he also recognized my name or because of the BYU connection. He is not the one interviewing me--he is not a partner there as far as I could tell, but there are only 7 attorneys in the office so he would have some influence for sure. I am pretty sure they wouldn't give me a courtesy interview if they weren't at least somewhat interested. Or maybe it is meant to be?

Bridget is not super excited. She isn't against Newport, but she is wary because it is such a small town--only 10,000 in Newport. But it is a really cool beach town. The Oregon Aquarium is located there, and it is a big draw for tourists. Well, at least things are moving the right way.

Job Update

I am working for the bike shop at almost full time starting next week. That is good. But I am still searching for a legal gig.

I met with a few lawyers around Portland to attempt to network. I have found that this is probably the best way to get a job around here, especially if one's grades are not top 25%. Mine are pretty much exactly mid-pack. The guy I talked to Wednesday was very helpful--he even bought me lunch (usually it is normal for the guy networking, me, to buy). He was in a similar situation and basically networked his way into a great firm. He still is trying to network in to a more full-service firm, but he has done well regardless. A window office on the top floor of one of the Portland Skyscrapers ain't too bad. He is 5 years out of law school now and it took him three years to get to the firm he is currently with. He spent 2 or 3 years with a "starter" firm.

Anyway, it will happen for me. I am starting to get some good contacts. They tell you to start networking when you first get to law school, but I didn't really want to spend the time doing it. I see it would have been a wise investment of time. Part of my reason for not doing it is my discomfort cold-calling people. Even when the name has been given to me by a contact it is still awkward for me. Everytime though it has been a good experience.

I am applying to Harry & David. They are the company that is mainly known for selling pears via mail order catalogues. They have been around for many, many years. Their headquarters is in Medford, Oregon--which is at the bottom of the state if you didn't know--but they have stores and other facilities across the nation. The position is a corporate counsel-type position. This would seem to be right up my alley. I really enjoyed my internship with Shilo Inns Corporate Office during my last semester of law school. So I have my fingers crossed. Tomorrow I will send in my application materials. I hope I can at least get an interview. I have applied to other jobs, but no luck so far obviously.

Oh, and Medford, Oregon is home to two really great custom bicycle frame builders, Jones Bike and Wolfhound. I have had an itch for a Jones Bike for many years....

Scripture Story Time

Yeah, we have the whole reverence thing nailed here.

Pictures from the Past: Summer 2007

This afternoon I was going through some pictures that I had on another harddrive. They were taken before the blog started. I really like some of them and thought they deserved to be up.
Jack's 2nd Birthday party July of 2007




Up at Black Butte Ranch this past summer of 2007:




At the Twilight Criterium August of 2007. It was a lot of fun, with lots of action.

5th Birthday Party #2

Here are some pictures from Sunday's Birthday Party for Ryan. Family only. Jack was wearing pajamas because, well, he is Jack and likes to wear pajamas all day. We went to church and when we came home when he changed he put pajamas on. Somedays when we aren't going anywhere he will stay in PJ's all day if he can get away with it.

Anyway, it was fun, and much more calm than the previous day's party. Here are some pictures.

5th Birthday Party #1

So Ryan gets a couple of birthday parties this year. One was today with friends from pre-school and church and one tomorrow that is all family. On Monday I am sure we will do something special since it is his actual birthday.

He has wanted to have a party with friends over for a couple of years. But we have always just done family parties. But this year we gave in. Actually Grandma Joan gave in. She paid for the party which we had at Pump It Up Jr. It was awesome! We had about 18 kids there counting ours.

Pump It Up is a kids blow-up style rompous center. We get to go in two rooms each for a half an hour before going to the party room for another half an hour. It really was a perfect amount of time. The Pump It Up people are on hand to supervise and to take care of moving everyone's shoes and coats (which are stored in a large closet-like contraption with wheels that they roll from room to room as we move). They provided cups, plates and utensils as well. They even cut and served the cake. It was very well run. It made it so easy to have a birthday party. No clean up or anything. We brought the cake, drinks and party favors (a Hot Wheels car, Cars, the movie pencil, and Pixie Stix), that was it. Grandma paid to hold it there, we paid for the rest. The whole party cost $260 bucks between what we paid for and what Grandma Paid for. But, we aren't buying him any other gifts (he got plenty of stuff at the party), so it wasn't too bad. Ryan still has stuff coming from other family members at the family party tomorrow. If we can afford it, this is a great way to go in the future. They all had so much fun.

video difficulties

I have been trying to get some videos uploaded to the blog, but nothing ever loads. I have also tried photobucket and youtube without any luck. It just sits processing for hours without ever finishing. The video is only around a minute long too. Weird. Anyway, when I figure it out there will be a new post here.