Bonsai, not banzai, Daniel-son

I never thought a miniature tree could be so interesting, but mine and April’s ficus bonsai tree has become just that. I bought it for her for Valentine’s Day just about a half year ago, and the change in just that short time has been captivating to watch. They told me it would grow well in good conditions and with good amounts of humidity, but I didn’t expect it to grow like it has. And no, that picture above is not our tree, but give me 150 years and maybe we’ll be there.

I bought it at Cactus and Tropicals, where there is a nice little variety of bonsai trees from the old and very pricey to the very young and inexpensive.  I decided to buy one about seven years old and grown in Florida so that I would get some nice aerial roots and a decent trunk size.  It also had the best root curvature of the bunch - something I thought would be important in the long run.

I can’t quite pinpoint what is so fun about caring for this mini tree.  Maybe it’s that large trees in nature are so overpowering and awe-inspiring that we can’t become involved with them on a personal level.  Yes, that sounds incredibly tree hugger-like, but I think it’s true even if you don’t verbalize it that way.  With the bonsai tree you are involved in the growth process, and if you are into wiring and shaping, you can create shapes that maybe only exist in your mind, if not in nature.  Then again, part of bonsai is mimicking natural tree forms, so I don’t think I would ever get too odd in wiring.

We’ve started with a ficus retusa, as they are very forgiving and fast growing.  We also just acquired my mom’s natal plum that was suffering from lack of sun at her house.  We’re going to try to revive it.  Someday I hope to move up the difficulty scale and buy a juniper or something cool like that.  Then maybe I’ll don my gi and do birdie kicks on a wooden stump at the beach while a wooden recorder is played in the distance.

Tags: bonsai, trees, hobbies, Cactus and Tropicals, ficus bonsai

Parade of Homes thoughts

I haven’t really written about housing since I created this blog and let my real estate blog alone.  However, my visits to the homes on this year’s Salt Lake Parade of Homes has started up my thinking again.  This could have something to with a book that I’ve been reading on and off lately about how it takes a strong father to raise a strong daughter.  I’ve come to some conclusions in my head, but I don’t know if they’re formulated enough to put down in writing.  I guess I will try anyway.

I think the main thought I have been having is on entitlement attitudes in the generation that we are now raising.  I don’t have children, so I can’t criticize others for not doing enough, nor can I praise myself for not falling victim to the traps that I see outside of my home.  I see what I see and I neither fault or pardon myself.

The Parade of Homes is supposed to be a display of the best that builders have to offer.  I understand that, but I also know that these homes will be purchased soon.  Countless other homes just like them are already lived in.  But whether the Parade is merely a display or not, nobody can deny that the outrageously extravagant kids’ rooms are meant to be emulated or duplicated.  Sponsors put their products in there for a reason - so people will create in their own homes what they see in the Parade.  This is natural and is the outcome of any home show.

My observation is that the models have gone beyond overboard.  I see children’s rooms that have more than enough space to be the master bedroom.  Does your baby’s room need a walk in closet and a toilet and shower?  Baby probably won’t be showering for a few years, but there it is.  Do your young ones need their own rooms, each one almost as big as their parent’s room and with just as many furnishings?  Do they each need their own bathrooms, flat screen TV’s, computers, and sound systems?  My answer is not only ‘no’, it’s ‘not in my lifetime’.

Back to the book I’ve been reading.  The author has made her point clearly enough that young and adolescent girls (boys aren’t exempt - they’re just not part of the book) cannot not afford to continue following what the mainstream expects of them.  This author, who sees young female patients daily and treats their depression, STD’s, self-image issues, and much more, writes that kids need to be shielded from this stuff, not encouraged to participate in it.  The data is overwhelming.  All of it is linked.  Depression, lack of values taught in the home at a young age, weak-willed parents, and an acceptance of what society says we must have.

So as fun as the Parade of Homes is, I tend to look underneath the surface a little.  The home is not the problem, but the underlying beliefs that lead us to believe we need a home like that, are.  If we think that the kids aren’t getting the message loud and clear, then we should think again.  Last night, we saw two boys who couldn’t have been any older than 17, pull up to the home we were going through.  Had there been more people at this house, they would have blended right in with the crowd.  They finished their viewing, got in their shiny black BMW convertible, and drove off.  My question is: why are 17 year old boys even interested in the Parade of Homes?  I shouldn’t judge their motives, but shouldn’t they be playing video games with their friends or something?  I just think it’s way too early for them to be worrying about BMW’s and homes and all that stuff.

Maybe I’m wrong about those boys, but the point is that kids are being raised to believe that big homes, luxury cars, exotic vacations, and the like will surely come their way.  And if they don’t, well then something is wrong.  Our blatant displays of excess are not doing our children any favors.  It’s not that they’re dumb, but at their ages they fail to understand what it takes to achieve the kind of wealth displayed at the Parade of Homes.  Worse still, they don’t understand that a small percentage of families will ever make it to that standard of living.

I’ve rambled, yes, but my thought here is simply that our excesses are a big part of the reason that our youth have twisted ideas about the world and what is normal.  It starts with the parents.  They decide what their kids will be exposed to.  The excesses of others in the media will reach their eyes every day, but if we make it so, kids will look to us for an example instead of to the peddlers of indulgence.

Tags: luxury homes, McMansions, Salt Lake Parade of Homes, books, Strong Fathers Strong Daughters

A Farewell to Arms

I’m going to try to make it a point to write short reviews/recommendations  of the books I read, if only to test my own comprehension.  I tend to forget the easily forgettable.

So while I didn’t like how ‘A Farewell to Arms’ ended, I can’t say it was a forgettable book.  Can anything by Hemingway be forgotten completely?  This was my first ever read of one of his books, and I’ll say that it was somewhere between good and great.

The author’s preface (this was the author of the compilation - not Hemingway), said something about how Ernest Hemingway made American Literature what it is today.  I don’t know enough, nor have I read enough to know exactly what made his style so revolutionary, so you’ll forgive me when I say that that quality of the book went over my head.  That doesn’t mean it wasn’t good - just that I am not familiar enough with styles and times to know the difference between Hemingway and Harper Lee.

If you saw the movie ‘In Love and War’ that came out sometime in the nineties and starred Sandra Bullock and Chris O’Donnell, then you’ve seen the part of Heminway’s life that inspired him to write this book.  It is a novel about love, death, and war in the time of World War I.  I love reading about World Wars and other battles, and I guess there’s also a side of me that likes a good romance, so I was satisfied on both ends with this book.  There’s no in-depth coverage of the war, so those out there who find war facts as boring as dirt will not be forced to endure a battle narrative.  It does provide a good backdrop though.

I won’t give away anything, but I will recommend it.  If anything, just to read one of the most important novels of our time.  I do think you will find a page turner and a worthwhile read.

Oh and if you are interested in buying a good copy of this book along with three other Ernest Heminway classics in one volume, Barnes and Noble sells a very inexpensive series of hardback novel compilations.  They are usually toward the front of the store by the discount books.  It’s nice that they’re sold for such a good price, but it’s also a sad commentary on our reading choices these days.  The trash novels cost twice as much as these four or five in one volumes of hardbound classics.  But that’s another day’s post.

Tags: A Farewell to Arms, Ernest Hemingway, classic books, books

Real Salt Lake and fireworks

Our boys at Real Salt Lake just couldn’t pull out the dubya against Saprissa of Costa Rica on Wednesday.  It was an entertaining game, especially the two shoving matches, but the excitement wasn’t enough to get any of our players to take a shot on goal.  There was a lot of dancing and a few chip shots in front of the goal, but few shots.

So I’ve decided that if we are going to go out in these international friendlies, then we should do it with style.  If we’re going to put in our benchwarmers to give them experience, let’s put them in to face somebody big.  I know it is hard to get big teams to come to Salt Lake, but I’ll bet it could be done with a lot of persuading.  I wouldn’t have been nearly as disappointed with a loss against the likes of Roma or Bayern Munich.  Sure, they might shut us out 10-0, but wouldn’t it be more exciting than Saprissa?

The efforts to get Real Madrid to Salt Lake should be extended to other powers of Europe or South America.  The pathetic attendance at Wednesday’s game would be turned around in an instant if we were told that Del Piero was coming to town.  Now that would be a game.

I do have to give credit to whoever organized the firework show after the game.  It was excellent.  It was my first time seeing a firework show with music in the background.  I know - I have just now experienced living.

Better luck to RSL in regular league play.

Tags: Real Salt Lake Soccer, Soccer, Saprissa, 24 of July fireworks, Alessandro Del Piero

Yikes

Hot sauce is enjoyable up until a certain point.  That point is right about when you put a tiny little dab of Blair’s Sudden Death Sauce on the food you are about to eat.

This stuff burns.  The Original Death has a great flavor to it, and can be eaten in fairly generous amounts without really feeling it.  It’s when you start climbing Blair’s heat ladder into After Death and Sudden Death territory that you begin to regret ever taking that bite.

These are the kind of sauces that require only one drop on even the biggest of portions.  Don’t worry about it not being potent enough - put that drop in a huge bowl of chili or stew and you’ll still taste it.  Of course you can put more in if you want to, but just don’t go “put a hole in your stomach” overboard.

I highly recommend the sauces, especially Original Death for the flavor.  I like them even more because I feel a special kinship to them (Blair….?)  But just know that these are no Cholula or Red Hot sauces.  These are intensity in ten cities.

Tags: Blair’s Death Sauce, Hot Sauce, Spicy food, Extreme Foods

Phone survey

I just got a call from a woman asking me if I would be interested in taking a survey for $30.  Phone surveys are sometimes interesting, so I accepted.

I feel the need to connect with my roots - strongly agree, agree, disagree or strongly disagree?

Agree.

I am offended when products I buy have instructions in languages other than English - strongly agree, agree, disagree, or strongly disagree?

Strongly disagree.

I read publications in Spanish - always, some of the time, rarely, never?

Some of the time.

I believe that Hispanics will continue to be discriminated against in this country - strongly agree, agree, disagree, strongly disagree?

Agree.

She asked me many more questions, but I don’t need to recite them all.  I can’t even remember them all.  It appeared that she was trying to get at what I thought of marketing to minorties in this country.  It’s becoming a bigger business than ever before, so if I were a marketing company, I’d be doing the same thing.

So where is this post really going? I thought I had a direction in mind, but I think it’s gone.  I’ve lost my train of writing thought.  Like the great Del Preston said, “I almost remembered something else, but nope, it’s gone.”

Party on.

Tags: phone surveys, Del Preston, advertising

The Dark Knight

Eight days and counting until the most anticipated movie of the summer comes to theaters.  Most anticipated by me, at least.  I had to go back and watch Batman Begins to prepare myself for The Dark Knight, because I have a feeling it’s going to be a good sequel.

I don’t know what gives ‘Batman Begins’ that quality that makes me want to watch it time and time again, but I hope that part two will have it too.  I’m happy that most of the actors from the first movie are back, though I think they could have found somebody different to play Rachel.  I’ve never liked Maggie Gyllenhaal much.  I don’t think that will ruin the movie for me, but still.

I hope Christian Bale has a few more Batman movies in him after this one.  For me, he has been the best one so far, beating the likes of George Clooney by a mile and then some.  Michael Cane of course can’t be topped, and Morgan Freeman is also one of my favorites.

Lets just hope the eight days goes by fast.

Tags: Batman, Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, Christian Bale, DC Comics

Ties

Why so many men hate wearing ties, I don’t really understand.  But that’s the way it is, and it’s only getting worse.  Or better, depending on what you think of ties.

I’ve been hearing and reading lately that the necktie is officially on its way out.  You only have to step into nearly any workplace in your city of residence to see this is true, no matter which day of the week it is.  When some businesses say ‘casual Friday’, they really mean T-shirts, shorts, and flip-flops because the rest of the week’s dress code is polo shirts and Dockers.  You’ll see a tie in there every once in a while, but it is rare even on upper management at some places.

I don’t like this trend, but I don’t believe that the tie’s extinction is inevitable.  You can’t say that the up and coming generation don’t wear ties at all - they’ve just changed the style a bit.  Skinnier ties with simpler patterns seem to be as popular as ever.  I wouldn’t be surprised if more companies started requiring them, just to show that they’re not like the rest.  It might be kind of a formal backlash.

I think it would be nice if we returned to the good ol’ days when men wore suits because they wanted to.  I don’t know what it would take, but I know that some of us would welcome it.  No, the shirt and tie might not be as comfortable as your favorite t-shirt, but why don’t you cry me a river.  Men can take it.  As a matter of fact, I now declare that sloppy is out and ordered is in.  But that’s just me.

Tags: ties, neckties, casual friday, business dress, clothes

Just take the test

Now that the 4th of July holiday has passed, did we stop and think at some time during the day what the celebration was really about? I wondered that at different times during the day. I asked myself if most people thought only about the fireworks and food, and not about what happened on that day over 200 years ago.

With those thoughts so recently on my mind, my attention was quickly drawn to an article in the newspaper today.  It was about a test given to college students that asked questions about America’s history and institutions.  Ideally, every student taking the test would get a high score because the subject material is so fundamentally important to every citizen of this country.  The test results showed something very different.

The average score for college seniors was failing.  For freshman it was worse.  Many students couldn’t answer what the first line in the Declaration of Independence said.  Some didn’t know what school of thought Adams, Franklin, and Jefferson patterned the document after.  Some didn’t even know what George Washington did when he was alive.

After I read the news article, I went to the website to read in more detail and to see if I could take the test.  At first I scoffed at how easy it would be - I was a history major after all.  Then I started to wonder what if I scored just as poorly as the rest of them.  It was time to find out if I knew as much as I thought I knew.

A lot of the questions were obvious, but others kind of difficult.  I ended up getting a disappointing 70%.  I went back and reviewed the wrong answers and kicked myself for not knowing better.  Regardless of and stupid mistakes I made though, I didn’t do much better that the college students.  Lesson?  I’ve got a lot to learn about this country, and I shouldn’t assume that I know most of it.

If you are reading this post, you should take the test.  Take it just to see how much you know about your country.  Take it to see which questions are completely foreign to you so you can go and learn about them.  To a certain extent, we are not responsible citizens of this country that has given us so much unless we know what went into its founding and principles.  We can either reverse the trend of kids getting dumber about American history, economics, principles, and thought, or we can let it keep going the way it is going.  I would hope we would all choose the former and do something about this alarming trend.

Tags: American history, American Universities, United States of America, Civic literacy

Independence Day

Whoever said President Bush never gave a good speech?

In honor of Independence Day just around the corner, I’d like to share this speech that Bush gave in Philadelphia back in 2001, shortly before the events of September 11th.  It’s an outstanding speech, regardless of what you think of Bush.

“Why We Celebrate Independence Day”

Excerpts from remarks by President George W. Bush
at the Independence Day Celebration,
Independence Historic National Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
July 4, 2001

Today we celebrate American independence, in the place of America’s birth, close to a symbol of American liberty. As millions know, to see the Liberty Bell is a moving experience. In America we set aside certain places and treasures like this to protect them from the passing of the years. We grant them special care to mark a moment in time. Here in Philadelphia, these markers are all around us, reminders of our history.
This is a dynamic and modern city. Yet, if the founders themselves were here, they would know the place. Benjamin Franklin and his wife could still find their way from here to the corner where they first saw each other, at Market and 4th. John Adams could make his way to City Tavern and show us the spot where he first shook the hand of George Washington. Thomas Jefferson would still find waiting for him the room where he drafted the Declaration of Independence.
* * *

When Jefferson sat down to write, he was trying, he said, to place before mankind “the common sense of the subject.” The common sense of the subject was that we should be free. And though great evils would linger, the world would never be the same after July 4, 1776. A wonderful country was born, and a revolutionary idea sent forth to all mankind: Freedom, not by the good graces of government, but as the birthright of every individual. Equality, not as a theory of philosophers, but by the design of our Creator. Natural rights, not for the few, not even for a fortunate many, but for all people in all places, in all times.
The world still echoes with the ideals of America’s Declaration. Our ideals have been accepted in many countries, and bitterly opposed by tyrants. They are the mighty rock on which we have built our nation. They are the hope of all who are oppressed. They are the standard to which we hold others, and the standard by which we measure ourselves.
Our greatest achievements have come when we have lived up to these ideals. Our greatest tragedies have come when we have failed to uphold them.
* * *
On this 4th of July, 2001, a great anniversary of our nation’s birth … , we remember the ideals of America and the things of the spirit that sustain them.
The Liberty Bell has been mostly silent for two centuries. And during the Revolution, it was unseen, hidden under the floorboards of a church in Allentown. Yet, even in silence, it has always borne one message, cast for the ages with the words of the Old Testament: “Proclaim liberty throughout all the land, unto all the inhabitants thereof.” In this place of history, we honor the first generation of Americans who followed those words. And we give thanks to the God who watched over our country then, and who watches to this very day.
Thank you, all. And may God bless America.

Tags: Independence Day, 4th of July, George W. Bush, American Founding Fathers, Philadelphia