Mormons in Business (CNBC)

Hi. Yes, I'm alive. Gathering the strength to return creating remarkable content to both stave off boredom from your work day and also to keep my personal history. Now isn't the moment to tackle the latter half of that quest, but rather to post an interesting news segment from CNBC about how serving a 2-year Mormon mission prepares missionaries to be successful international business leaders.

More than anything, I think it's a fascinating juxtaposition of two ideas. And it isn't often you see a neutral video. Take a look, it's worth it.



Believing n Mormon doctrine isn't a prerequisite to thinking what about this video?

Day 23

A few weeks before graduating from BYU, I somehow got roped into sledding down the double black diamond ski runs at Deer Valley in the middle of the night. In all borrowed clothes, I had nothing but moon boots from the 1980's to brake maneuver a very swiftly moving toboggan down an icy hill; under concrete tunnels and around tight curves. It should come as no surprise that I snapped one of the bones in the top of my right foot down the second run of the night--moon boots aren't meant to thwart 35 mph speed. A quick trip to the ER taught me my first $600 insurance-doesn't-cover-everything lesson, and I spent my last few weeks at BYU hobbling around.

That same night I was defying gravity up on the slopes, Krista thought it would be a good idea to have her scooter (the non-motorized kind) pulled behind a car. The first run boosted the confidence of both she and the driver. The second pull hit about the 35 mph speed before the little baby wheels of 2 inch diameter couldn't sustain the combination of the gravely road or Joe's drifty driving. Down she went, and with it a broken elbow and skid marks all over arms, legs, and face.

Two graduates. Two injuries. Two hospital trips. Same night. Imagine the surprising text swapping back and forth.

A few days later, she and I ventured out together for lunch. Me on crutches, her with a cast and sling; face all scraped up. I don't remember the specifics, but getting to our table was a fumbling of napkins and dropped crutches and falling chairs and a ridiculous chain of events that had every eye turned in sympathy to our plight. Surely we looked like we'd been through hell together. We'd actually just been dumb as hell.

A YouTube Video

This video was taken at the ward closing social and gets funnier on the third or fourth view. Please note that no non-graduates were harmed in the filming of this 8 second clip. Also? Krista never had better aim in her whole life.

Day 14

I do very little reading that isn't easily digested fiction. I blame this on a stressful job and the unwinding I do when I don't have to focus much on literary themes or complicated theories. Ironically, I purchased the following book at Target, thinking it was a fiction novel.

A non-fiction book

I don't recommend "Flags of our Fathers" because it's one of the few non-fiction books I've read. I genuinely recommend it because it's a fascinating look at the fighting that happened in the Pacific during World War II. The book tells the story of the Battle of Iwo Jima, a nearly impenetrable island off the coast of Japan and the Americans charge to capture two air fields. Don't be fooled into thinking the book is all war tactics; true there's some of that, but it's fascinating.

My favorite part are the first few chapters that outline the difference between waging war in Europe as opposed to the East. Most GIs considered assignments to the War in the Pacific as a death warrant; the "rules of war" were still maintained in Europe, but the Japanese fought in ways unfathomable to American minds.

The book reads part history, part art of war, part biography. The book centers on the "photograph that turned the war" -- the raising of the flag at Iwo Jima; and chronicles the lives (both pre and post-war) of those who raised the flag.

Clint Eastwood turned the book into a movie a few years ago, and you know I don't love posting videos, but the trailer is a beautiful look at what the book is about. I honestly can't remember if I saw the movie because the book is just as expressive.



The book, though non-fiction, is an easy read. And it will make you feel smart! And then we can rent the movie and watch it together. Deal?

Are there non-fiction books you'd recommend? If you're an avid NF reader, why? Convince me to become one!

Day 02

I can't remember if I've said it before, but I'm not crazy about "favorites." Something about the word seems so final; and there's a favorite for every type of whatever x you're trying to describe. In short: I can't wait to get to Day 06.

Your favorite movie

Long before it was "The Land Before Time" sequel machine of the 00's, The Cutting Edge was a stand alone movie that I'm guessing 98% of readers have seen. I watched the trailer below (sorry again for the video!) and could hum right along to the soundtrack and was familiar with every scene, quote, and bad early-90's wardrobe choice. I haven't seen this movie in at least 10 years, but I'm surprised by how many quotes I use with some consistency--primarily "Don't quit your day job" and "Yes, Doug can read."

Two funny stories about this movie after the trailer:


1) This movie came out on VHS shortly before our family moved from Arizona to Dallas. The year was 1993 and Alaina and I were in advanced piano lessons--practicing an hour a day as a 5th grader. We'd rented the movie and were watching it on a school night while folding laundry. During a very, very crucial part in the movie (right at the dinner where homegirl tells Doug she can't skate with him in the Olympics[!!!]) Alaina and I somehow got ourselves into trouble. The movie was turned off, and I was sent to practice the piano. I cried the whole time BECAUSE I DIDN'T KNOW THEY WERE GOING TO GET BACK TOGETHER AND WIN THE GOLD MEDAL. I obviously wasn't old enough to understand those movies all end the same.

2) One of the continued back-and-forth snarkathons between our romantic leads has to do with the word "foreplay." I, being a fifth grader, did not know what this meant. Being the resourceful lass I was, tried to look it up in the dictionary but did not know how to spell it. Being the tenacious little lady that I was, I asked my Dad. Yes.

Does anyone else have any funny Cutting Edge stories to share? Has anyone seen the sequel? Or the III, the IV, the X? Does anyone dislike this movie?

rinse and repeat: embarrassment for sport

Once upon a time, in a time long long ago 2.5 years, I posted my first video blog after nine shots of novocaine to the mouth. I think this one is worth reliving:


I think my favorite part is at 18 seconds where I have to breathe in through my mouth to slurp up the uncontrollable drool about to pour forth from my mouth. Curious about the Bob Bob Blog?

And how about that red, eh? Who remembers 2006 and 2007? Ohhhh a Boston I hardly even remember.

Also, guess who's having cavities filled again soon?

Clear!

My family is still fairly young; that's what happens when you're on the front end of the birth order instead of the back. We only have one baby in our family--and she turned three last week. For her birthday last year, I wrote one of my more introspective pieces about change and time and life stages--all of which has proven to be true in the following year!

But this isn't a somber, "let's analyze life, love, and the pursuit of happiness" post. Nope, not at all. This post is actually a video post. I know, I know. I try not to post videos, but this one is only 17 seconds long. Taken a few days after Adrie was born; I promise, no babies were harmed in the filming of this video:



Okay, but here's the funny part. For the last three years, I've been getting comments about this video submitted by the oh so intelligent and well-written users of YouTube. Viewed 13,540+ times, people have got something to say about my shocking the baby that way. Don't I know babies can die from doing that?

So. I shall hereby publicly apologize to my niece Adrienne. I'm sorry if I almost gave you shaken baby syndrome. And thanks Alaina, for not kicking a hole in my *** because I'm your **** sister who ****** to your baby.

Happy birthday baby girl.

Uppers

Dear Internet,

I had a rough 48 hours. Crummy for a host of reasons not even worth mentioning. And the good news is, I think the universe didn't want me to be unhappy any longer.

A few hours ago I received the sweetest text of my whole life from my lovely (and now married!) sister Kendall:

"I love you so much. I seriously think about you every day and how I could be more like you. Have a good day!"

I got home from work and was reminded of the sweetest post-it note of my whole life from my lovely (and now college freshman!) sister Mallory:

And then, I had the thought that's completely recaptured my good attitude. Nat, says the thought, Remember when you used to listen to Hairspray! all the time? Maybe it's time to resurrect the beat.

Woot. I'd forgotten how obsessed I was with Hairspray! It also brought back so many good memories. I saw Hairspray for the first time on Broadway with the SLC Holla House and then again with Julie last last Memorial Day. I'm now having a literal dance party with myself. But seriously, you should see my moves. I think I missed my calling in life.




So maybe I let the beat stop for a bit this weekend, but you'd better believe I won't any longer!

Liquid Movement

I'll admit. I've posted this video already. But it cracks me up! I haven't seen it since October, and have been rolling in my seat just now rewatching. Stephanie and I used to try to "dance out" our favorite moves.




Seconds 51-47 are still my favorite. (Boo. This one counts down instead of up.)

I'll ask again: is he a little person or a child? Then, comment your favorite "oddity" of the video. I'll start.

This video is crazy odd because Menudo is making an appearance in a Bollywood video.

Speechless

Today I made penitence for my fructose-indulgent sins.

One hour and $580 later, here I am, making my video blog debut: