The life and times of Matt

Another Day (with a subtitle)

2010-01-05T07:51:00.000-08:00

OK, so its official...I chose the WRONG time to commit to a daily blog. I'm still GOING to blog, but not daily. I'm pretty happy just getting some sleep at this point.

Day 2

2010-01-02T21:56:00.000-08:00

A short one. We're busy getting ready for the arrival of the baby at the house, and things are busy. Tried Hayden in his 'big boy bed' for his afternoon nap today, it was a failure of catastrophic proportions and left him tired, and me frustrated. I guess he can sleep in the crib till he's 18...I've got tons of other stuff to deal with right now.

As for me, i'm tired. Worked on MMAWeekly.com's website a lot today, and made sure they stayed up during the big UFC fight tonight in Vegas.

Now i'm beat...its time for sleeping. No soda yet, no new phone either...grrr.

Day 1

2010-01-01T21:07:00.000-08:00

Well, day one is here. I find myself wishing I had set the goal for maybe weekly..it was an aggressive goal...

But there it is.

Its been a few sleepless nights. Our daughter arrived safely on the 30th of Dec and she's quite a treasure. She's so different from our son and I'm sure that you'll hear lots and lots about that as the year passes.

Many of my friends have adopted some sort of mantra or slogan for their year (ie "The year of fitness", "The year of something-something"). I dont think I'll wrap myself so tightly but there are a few things I'd like to do this year:

1) Be more righteous. My family is the most important thing to me. I think I need to get in tune better so that I can hear the Spirit more readily to guide my family. First Step: Daily Scripture Study.

2) Be more organized. Lots of things have happened this year including becoming self-employed. I tell you...things can go south pretty quickly (no offense to southerners) when you're not organized and you've got clients and deadlines. I need to get my crap together and be a little more together myself. First Step: Phone/pda since I dont want to carry a planner around with me.

3) I would like to lose a few pounds. I'm not obese (unless you ask the bmi) but i'm 30-40lbs more than I should be. This first part of the year its going to be hard to get into any kind of workout routine since in my spare moments i'll be trying to sleep. First Step: Stop drinking soda...again.

Thats about all i have to blog about tonight. I'm missing my honey as she's still in the hospital and i'm home taking care of our son. The bed feels mighty big and mighty empty when she's not there....come to think of it, the house seems empty too. Cant wait till she comes home on Sunday. I love you my heart.

2010

2009-12-11T21:16:00.001-08:00

So, its a dumb goal, but i'm going to try and blog DAILY, not because I have anything interesting to say, but sometimes I just wish I was more dedicated, or scheduled, or..something. I think just by doing this, I'll push myself forward a little bit. So dear reader(s) whoever you are...I wont be blogging for you, but for me. I'm buried right now in piles of work, but Jan 01 2010 I'll start. (its important to do things definitely, goals).

OH, yeah.

2009-01-14T21:27:00.001-08:00

And also, I left my place of employment. It was...a weird situation and we're glad its done. I'm going independent again, and we already have a very steady client who's paying rather well. Of course I'm always on the look out for new contracts so if you know of anyone that needs a Sr. .NET enginner, let me know! I dont have our business site up yet, but when I do, i'll get a link on here so you (I talk like someone actually reads this blather) can check it out.

A humourous look at life....

2009-01-14T21:20:00.000-08:00

So my wife and I went shopping today. We went to a popular retail store and cruised around a little bit. I made a funny observation. We men, are just hunters. We go, we see, we get what we want and we leave. I think, for the most part that women are Gatherers. My wife for instance, has to touch each thing on the 75% off rack, to ensure that she's seen it all. Don't get me wrong, I think its great and we often come out of there with some good deals, deals I would have missed if it weren't for her steadfastness in bargain hunting.
While there we observed a lady whos cart was FULL to BULGING, with more clothes hanging by the hangars around the rim and along the handle. RIDICULOUS. My thoughts were something like...."If this is is how she shops, her closets must be full. I truly hope she's shopping for needy family because thats just OUT of control".
Thats my bit for today. Not much, not insightful, and not great..but....I was just thinking about that.

100 things about me

2008-09-24T12:14:00.000-07:00

1. I love my wife more than anything. It amazes me how much I do love her.
2. Being a dad is WAY cool. Stressfull, but very cool.
3. My thumbs look like toes. Seriously. The American Indians (I'm told) believe it to be sign of integrity.
4. I like being a software geek, but I want more. It'd be nice to be a Program Manager, or maybe even in Technical Sales.
5. I DO like to play computer games. I think it gives my brain something to chew on besides work.
6. I worry that I might not be the best husband or father, but that might be good, since it makes me continually try very hard.
7. I TOTALLY believe in miracles.
8. I don't like the Santa Claus lie. What about poor kids who try very VERY hard, and end up with not much...do they then think "Well, I was good and got jack, I might as well be bad."
9. I love family holidays. Its fun to have no real agenda, and just be with family.
10. I regret not having spent more time keeping up with my late cousin Ty.
11. I want a new house for my family, but the economy scares me...a lot.
12. I think Obama is an idiot.
13. I joined Facebook because my wife was always on there, and I wanted to be included.
14. To me, there are fewer pleasures greater in life than just holding my wife's hand.
15. Kissing is STILL really fun. I don't care what you old married folks say.
16. Fall is my favorite season.
17. Spring...might be my favorite season....
18. I'm tired of going to funerals.
19. I'm excited about change.
20. My favorite color is purple.
21. I really like the SCA. I'm sad that my involvement in it will be reduced so much (by my choice).
22. I love cars...mostly old ones.
23. I need a project to work on. I don't know why, but its part of who I am.
24. Christian & Leslie are two of the coolest people I know. I trust them with my life.
25. I have a great family of in-laws.
26. I lean on my left elbow a lot, when i'm thinking or programming...and I get a gnarly callous there...
27. I love our little log lily...even when she's making me insane.
28. I don't really like my body shape...especially that genetics part, that you cant change without surgery.
29. I like being tall.
30. I loved it when I had long hair.
31. I believe that freedom should never be given away for peace.
32. I write poetry.
33. I think the best part of Ogden, is leaving.
34. I think 'garage-sale-ing' is fun.
35. I'm totally a morning person.
36. I'm trying to break my addiction to Mountain Dew (programmers drink of choice).
37. My wife says that if I were a 'Winnie the poo' character, I'd be Tigger.
38. I like my job, and my company, and my current client.
39. If I made a radical career change, I would probably be in finance (scary huh).
40. I like Arizona. I could TOTALLY live there.
41. I love medieval history.
42. I own a sword (see 41).
43. I wish that I had more time...a full day just for me, and a full day just for my wife, and one full day for each of my children (thats only 1 at present).
44. I was VERY nervous when I got married.
45. I like my calling at Church, but sometimes you just want to be left alone.
46. I dont like lazy, or non-productive people.
47. I miss my mom.
48. I love it when it rains and thunders.
49. Prior to today, i've never felt an earth quake. I'm not even sure that our building shaking today WAS an earthquake, but I think it counts.
50. I love musicals, and broadway.
51. I need to spend more time singing. I miss it.
52. I think the best villains are the ones you can identify with.
53. My favorite villain is 'Magneto' from x-men.
54. My favorite comic hero is Batman.
55. I work too much.
56. I miss working in film and television.
57. Sometimes...there are just some people I'd like to punch.
58. Even though its bad...sometimes the f-bomb is the only appropriate word for a situation.
59. I want a new bed.
60. I ruined my jaw in a motorcycle crash...and now my jaw hurts a lot.
61. I dont sleep well if my wife isnt in bed too.
62. I still worry about my son...and I listen for him at night.
63. I think baby formula is too expensive.
64. Someone stole my chainsaw a few years back, and I'm still REALLY pissed about it.
65. I want to sell my Tahoe.
66. There is nothing that I wouldnt do, to make my wife happy. She has but to ask...
67. I hate meetings. Most of the time they're a complete waste.
68. I think I could sell anything....but I dont know how to get into doors to sell it.
69. I dont want to be rich, just well enough off to spend more time with my family, and less time working.
70. I think our country is in big, big trouble.
71. I used to hate noise when I slept...now I can ignore almost anything...except my son.
72. I finally met someone who likes the temperature in the bedroom lower than me....my wife.
73. I would rather be cold than hot.
74. I love spelunking.
75. I want a boat someday...a nice one.
76. I also want a 4-wheeler.
77. I also want a nice camping trailer.
78. I want to take my wife to NYC to broadway someday.
79. I want to work out more. I need more time.
80. I think World of Warcraft is a blast. I also like Eve-Online.
81. I hate drunk drivers. Drink till your livers fail for all I care, just dont drive.
82. I think its funny how in UT you cant smoke next to the exits of buildings, but they all have ashtrays by the doors.
83. Road Rage is stupid.
84. UT drivers are not necessarily the worst, but they are the most discourteous.
85. I love 4-wheeling...especially if it involves water and/or mud.
86. I love to camp.
87. Words cant describe what it looks like to hike to a peak above low clouds, and watch the sun rise.
88. I am always amazed at how much God loves us; and at how poorly we thank him for it.
89. I hope we have a little girl.
90. I really do think it would be cool to have twins.
91. I like motorcycles, but...see #84.
92. I wish I could see my dad and my little brother more.
93. I grew up farming...yes, horseback riding, cattle herding/branding, hay-hauling and all the rest.
94. I'm glad I had the childhood I did.
95. I own 2.5 acres in Midway, UT
96. I love the late Robert Jordan's "Wheel of Time" series.
97. High Speed internet is a requirement for anywhere we live.
98. This, has been insightful and fun.
99. My favorite part of the day is when I open the door to my house.
100. It doesnt really matter where I live, as long as my family is there.

I loved this quote

2008-09-23T20:34:00.000-07:00

I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around [the banks] will deprive the people of all property until their children wake-up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered. The issuing power should be taken from the banks and restored to the people, to whom it properly belongs.
Thomas Jefferson, Letter to the Secretary of the Treasury Albert Gallatin (1802)
3rd president of US (1743 - 1826)

My latest Rant....Obama...

2008-09-23T20:27:00.000-07:00

Obama says these two words a lot.. "Hope" and "Change". I think he's right...but in his case, its "I HOPE I can figure out what to do" and then it'll be "I think I'll CHANGE my mind."

He bugs me. On one hand he says that the CEO's of these failing financial institutions should not receive any windfall from the buy-out. yet..he's hired them from Fanny Mae, and Freddy Mac, and both of them have received in the tens of millions in the deal. SO seriously Obama...at least pick a side...in my opinion, you're not worth the shoe's you stand in. Go back to Senator..and here's a thought for while you're there....try doing something! "Community Builder" yeah, I can put that on my resume too, I built a whole city out of Legos once....its still around. You've got..ah..let me think....OH right,....NOTHING AT ALL. You have a campaign full of flip-flops (please open a waffle house, you'll be great!) and contradictions. You have no plan, and you have no substance. You do, to your credit have a great media machine...kudos. For the rest..you arent ready. Like cotton candy you come off sweet...but there's no substance. Gain some bearing. Maybe try and get some credentials for yourself instead of trying to sideways affiliate yourself with JFK and other great reformers. Pick a stand and take that, instead of being a big jug of luke warm water. People tend to at least go with someone that they think they can predict. You just flop flop flop. Grr. And enough with the mud slinging. Seriously have you heard yourself? My favorite was your question of if the GOP VP nominee for the Republicans could be in office and still raise a family. So...since you started your campaign 2 years ago, where are your children? Get a grip, if anyone looks past our news and media, which are no longer reliable because they are so biased, then you will show up as what you are. Change yourself...then try and change the world. Obama, I dont need a Savior, I have one of those. I need a firm president who can actually make, and stick to a decision.... You disgust me.

A sad day for our family

2008-09-18T07:12:00.000-07:00

My cousin Tye was involved in a fatal crash yesterday morning on I-80. My heart is so heavy and broken, not only for the loss of the summer buddy of my youth, but for those of us left behind that have to find a way to fill the void where he belongs. I love you Tye, I miss you, and now in hindsight, wish I had spent more time trying to stay in touch.

This is what happens when you never post....

2008-09-12T00:32:00.000-07:00

So if you decide to stop posting on your blog, just beware..... your wife will take over! This is what happens... LOL, hahhahahaha! Love you lots. At least I didn't do something girly.... I could have REALLY gone crazy... I'm keepin an eye on you

One other thought about my mom.

2008-06-18T08:27:00.000-07:00

With the upcoming new addition to my family I have been thinking a lot about my mom. She would have LOVED the room we built for our son. She loves stuff like that, and I could have counted on plenty of help from her with decoration fluff (stuffed animals etc) I'm sure. Unfortunatly I think she's in Heaven, teaching my son all the bad stuff I did when I was young as kind of a sick revenge....

On one of the last days I had with mom, when she was still lucid, I was having a very difficult time. I wept as I told her that I wish that this had not happened to her, that I wished she didnt have to go through all of this (she was in an incredible amount of pain). Her reply was humorous...as well as deeply moving she said...

"ME TOO! But...if this is what the Lord wants me to do, then I will do it."

My mom is amazing...she's great. I miss her a great deal.

A fast one...

2008-06-16T13:39:00.000-07:00

#1) My wife is amazing. Thanks for being great Rae!.

1. Where is your cell phone? ....................desk
2. Your significant other?.......................amazing
3. Your hair?....................................longer
4. Your mother? .................................sentimental
5. Your father?..................................amazing
6. Your favorite thing?..........................family
7. Your dream last night?........................non-exsitent
8. Your favorite drink...........................MtnDew (I had to make that one word)
9. Your dream/goal?..............................Happiness
10. The room you're in?..........................Popcorn
11. Your children?...............................Weekend
12. Your fear?...................................Alone
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years...........Happy
14. Where were you last night?...................Moms
15. What you're not?.............................Awake!
16. Muffins......................................Meadow?
17. One of your wish list items?.................House
18. Where you grew up?...........................Utah
19. What you read last...........................blog
20. What are you wearing?........................Clothes
21. Your TV?.....................................Home
22. Your pets?...................................Paranoid
23. Your computer? ..............................Works
24. Your life?...................................Cool
25. Your mood?...................................exhausted
26. Missing someone?.............................Wife
27. Your car?....................................unknown
28. Something you're not wearing?................bra?
29. Favorite Store?..............................BestBuy
30. Your summer?.................................Temperate
31. Like someone?................................lots
32. Your favorite color?.........................maroon
33. Last time you laughed........................always
34. Last time you cried?.........................Dunno

Mothers Day...

2008-05-12T21:07:00.000-07:00

Its been a hard week for me, but good. I've had lots of time to reflect on my own mother, and my little wife who is a mother to be. Its been great. Hard, but great. Mom passed away about 6 weeks ago now, and now that I've had some time to 'get over it' (cause that'll happen) I have had some time to reflect and gather my thoughts....and i think I'll share them with you (my MANY avid readers).

Mom was so strong in life. Those last weeks when Rae and I were out helping take care of her, she was so opposite physically but her mental facilities. I was able to have some great conversations with mom in that last while and part of this will be to share some of those with you....

One week, mom lost consciousness for about 19 hours. Her breathing was very rough and she was moaning and groaning in her sleep. My father, my brothers Nate and Mitch and I were with her and we truly thought, that we were facing the end. We decided to sing some Hymns to mom, including Oh My Father, Abide With Me, Be Still My Soul, How Great Thou Art to name some. Mom's breathing slowed, and then got normal, and she relaxed and slept peacefully for the rest of the night...

Nate stayed in the room with her that night, and talked with her though she was not really 'with' us...and at one point he said "mom, you're a tough old bird." to which she responded by laughing. Mom was back. I spent the day in with mom talking to her. She was still a little out of it, but our conversation was funny, and poignant at once. Mother asked me if I knew how many seconds I had left to tell my family what I needed to tell them...and I said no...then I asked her, what she would tell us, in your last seconds...and she said "Two things....love...and thats more than I would normally say."

I love my mother, we had many more conversations, which I will cherish forever. I miss mom, and I am eternally grateful for all she did for me. I hope that I can live up to the expectations she has for me. I'm also grateful for my wife, who is such a great support for me, she's great and has been there for some hard times for me. I'd have to ask Rae, but I think we've been to 7 funerals now since we've been married. More births and weddings are in order...yes?

So I vented...then I didnt post for a while

2008-05-09T21:13:00.000-07:00

yeah, so life is nuts sometimes...and we're no exception.

#1, first and foremost, and on my mind for some time.....Garrett.

Adam...my heart ached for you the entire time we were up in WY. There are no words, big or small that can tell you how I feel, and how I wish that some way I could do ANYTHING for you and your family. I admire you so much for your strength. Sorry we weren't able to stay longer. You and Bekki are in every prayer.

#2, Wow...the baby is going to be here soon. I'm filled with wonder, excitement, anxiety, fear, and so many other things....he can be here soon, Dr. says that after 2 weeks, he could come any time. WOW! I took some pictures of the room that WILL be the baby's room. Notice the missing sheetrock and insulation in the CIELING and the great boot mark on the wall....this is from the roofing project last year that went.....poorly. The roof is done but I fell all the way through. Unfortunately my computer was right below there, so it was filled with insulation and dirt....grrrr...

#3, UtahExtras.Com.....is killing me. so much to do, so little time. I'm trying to get the new version of the site up and running, but i'm very busy with life everywhere else. It'll be done soon!

#4, A new house? Maybe. Rae and I are looking at selling this one (once the roof is not so ...well vented) and buying/building? Interest rates are low right now and we'd like a little more room. Now is the time, if a Democrat wins the White House, rates typically go up, and stocks typically go down...so....grr...but this post isnt about politics.

#5, Lily.....our dog...will be an IT...actually she already is...we pick her up from the vet. tomorrow a.m.....Rae misses the dog already..

#6, Rae...there are no right words to tell her how much I love her. She's the light and love of my life. She's awesome. ...but read her blog...she cracks me up....she cant spell, and she says the FUNNIEST things. She blames pregnancy.....

Thats about it for me tonight, Take it easy...

I guess I should blog some

2008-05-03T21:48:00.000-07:00

Well, I've never been much of a blogger but I figure now is a good time to start.
Life has been crazy busy. Many who are close to me or to those I love have been lost, and my heart goes out to the Hayes', the Post's, the Mathers, my own family for the loss of my mom, and last, but certainly not the least, the Russells. My heart aches for you guys and we'll see you Tuesday in Wy.

Enough of the sadness part, lets talk about the government! First off, PU-LEASE quit with this farcical 'economic stimulation package' talk. Lets really look at it shall we? BIG OIL.

It costs me 50$ to fill up my 92' Honda Accord. it costs me about a dollar each time i go anywhere... it costs more for stores to buy food because suppliers are paying trucking companies more to ship it. Food is becoming more expensive because people are growing food now for alternate fuels instead of for food.

Oil companies are posting record profits each quarter, while the nation is drowning. Funny how we're still subsidizing those companies because life is so hard for them. Any Teamsters out there? I'd love you to listen....because, and if you are my friend, then listen up....
'Gas Strikes' - not buying gas for a single day...doesnt do anything. you'll fill up before or after...so at best you'll dent the small mom and pop shops, you may even hurt the station, but probably not. The oil companies wont even notice your pitiful effort. Most of them own the gas stations and (having worked for the corp office at a major fuel company) and they dont make the money from gas anyway, they make it on the 1.50$ you throw down for a 64oz drink that costs them a whole 15cents (if that).

So, back to the teamsters.... do we want some results, pick a day...and stop those trucks from rolling....I'm pretty sure that someone would actually notice...

Yes, the Country would suffer..a lot...but guess what...the U.S.A. is in trouble...and the only organization big enough to actually make anyone pay attention would be the truckers....without you...(my salute to you!) our Country would fall on its butt...but I think it needs to happen, the sooner the better...

Well, thats it for me...talk to you tomorrow.