Pop Quiz

1) Photo number 1 is:
A) A look behind the scenes of the set for Superman's Ice Palace
B) Star Wars' Death Star inner workings
C) A high school physics experiment gone awry
D) _______________________________


















2) This is an actual photo of
A) Mitosis (cell division)
B) The sun, weeping over global warming
C) Something we don't talk about in polite company
D) _____________________________


3) Click on the photo to see:
A) Leaking electrons from satellite cables
B) The reason the refrigerator icemaker doesn't work
C) Variation on Chinese water torture techniques
D) _________________________________



















4) These vertical structures are:
A) Part of Rich's latest project at work
B) Nuclear fuel rods stolen from the set of "24"
C) Electron microscopy of the printed circuit board in a modern computer
D) ________________________________













Donations are being taken for repairs to all the above. Between the $200 surcharge plus double time for Sunday work, this was a really big ouchie.

Photos of Claire

I'm going to jump right off this highchair and grab that jar of baby food and then I'm going to...













It's not clear who had more fun--Claire playing in her little house, or Grandma building it!
















Like Mother (age ~16), Like Daughter























No, really, Grandpa. I do not know who made this mess.





Claire visits Grandpa at his work office

Simply Blue

It was a cold, snowy night. The howling wind drove wind chill temperatures below zero. But the proud blue crane, undaunted, was still standing at daybreak, at the ready for any task it might be called upon to perform.

Pot Luck Almost Sent Me To Jail

We had a pot luck lunch at work in mid-December. We don't do a lot of pot lucks, but this year we didn't have our normal Christmas party at a restaurant, so the pot luck was a good alternative. I chose to make a cheesecake. It was only my second attempt, but it turned out well and I got lots of compliments on it.

I had taken a knife from home to cut it with--a huge knife, about a foot long. After lunch, I just stuck the knife in my briefcase and forgot about it. That was December 17.

As I prepared to go on vacation, I packed my briefcase with the things I wanted to take with me to Florida--paperwork, a book, reservation information, all the usual stuff. I didn't see the knife in the bottom of one of the briefcase slots; it had sort of nestled itself into a fold of the fabric and was covered up by folders and papers.

When Lisa saw me packing, she persuaded me to lose the briefcase and just pack everything into a suitcase that had some extra space. I really wanted to take the briefcase because it had all sorts of things in it that I regularly need, such as my electronic password key, mints, coins, money, pens, pass-along cards, and so on. But I was taking my camera as a carry-on, plus a carry-on roller bag, so I really didn't have a choice to take a third carry-on. I moved the essentials to the suitcase and off we went to the airport.

Went to Florida, came home, transferred things back to the briefcase, and went to work today. As I was taking things out of the briefcase to get them back into their proper places in the office, I spied the knife, in the bottom of the briefcase. No big deal, until I realized how close I came to trying to get the briefcase (with the knife) through airport security. Oh my gosh! How would I have explained a 12" knife that looked like I was trying to hide it while attempting to get past security? With all the heightened security of late, can you imagine what they might have done to me? I'm guessing 30 years at hard labor in Sing Sing. With no cheesecake on the menu.

Baptism

I attended the baptism of a friend yesterday, Norman Wall. Immediately after the baptism and confirmation, the bishopric member who was conducting asked, "How do you feel?" Norman thought for a moment, and then responded, "Like a huge burden has been lifted. I feel terrific."

I think that was the perfect answer, because it so defines the effect of the Atonement. Those who apply for relief, receive it from the Savior. His healing power takes away the oppressive weight of sin, of mistakes, of errors, large and small. This incredible gift is available to all, but can only be obtained through Jesus Christ. Thank you Norman for reminding us all of why we are followers of the Master.