In fact, I’m not even sure how long it’s been since I sat down to write something that wasn’t work-related. But I have missed it. I realize there is something therapeutic for me in writing. No apologies. When I see patients that are feeling guilty about having been a crummy patient and not taking care of themselves in the past I tell them this: There’s a reason why your rearview mirror is this big [..] and your windshield is this…
I really don’t like change. In fact, I’m probably one of the most predictable creatures that has ever walked the planet. So my switch from Blogger to WordPress is a big deal for me. But my publisher has persuaded me to move the blog once and for all to an author site in anticipation of my book’s publication next year. Everything needs to be in one place . . . easy to find and easy to maintain. Sounds easy. There’s…
Originally Published August 26, 2014 at Modern Mormon Men Lake Superior State University has been publishing an annual list of banished words since 1977. Their website catalogues all the entries over the years, but be forewarned: reading too many of these lists will put your hate-coefficient into the red zone very quickly. There is a lot of painful memories buried in these archives. Though its difficult to admit it, I’m as guilty as the rest of you in creating this sad legacy….
Initially published August 15, 2014 at Modern Mormon Men It’s a well-documented fact that Rush is the greatest rock and roll trio that ever toured the planet. Neil Peart not only has superhuman abilities as a drummer, but he’s a gifted lyricist as well. In the chorus of Subdivisions (Signals, 1982; music video here), he captures that all-to-familiar pressure to conform to those standards established by our peer group, or risk being cast out. It makes for a another excellent Rock & Roll Parable.* (Lyrics by…
Originally published August 11, 2014 at Modern Mormon Men Tibetan Monk – Sera MonasteryLhasa, Tibet We recently returned from a trip that took us to a number of cities in China. Without a doubt, our stay in Lhasa, Tibet was a highlight. The contrast between one city teeming with 32 million people and another nestled in a valley surrounded by the Himalayas could’t be more dramatic. The blue skies, towering slopes and clean mountain air make you realize very quickly…
I was preparing a lesson for priesthood recently in which we reviewed a General Conference talk by Elder Russell M. Nelson entitled Let Your Faith Show. His talk highlighted a perspective that is increasingly prevalent in our society. It is the notion that religion has become irrelevant in modern life. This message is broadcast a thousand times a day in a myriad of forms that range from overt rejection of God to the more subtle ideas (such as the belief…
Bryn Lennon, Getty Images Mick Rogers – 2014 TDF Stage 16 Carcassonne to Bagneres-de-Luchon At the end of stage 11 in this year’s Tour de France, Michael Rogers’ advice to Andrew Talansky was “persistence wins all races.” Mick Rogers knows a thing or two about adversity. In 2007 he was thought of as a GC contender when he rode for T Mobile, but crashed out of the Tour with a broken collar bone. Immediately thereafter a protracted battle with mononucleosis made…
Andy Talansk off the bike in the stage 7 sprint finish Every summer I have a fight with myself that I predictably lose. The ever-present doping scandels and scoundrels of professional cycling make me vow to stop watching. Then the Tour de France begins and I cave in like a house of cards. Andrrew Talansky breathed a giant breath of life back into US hopes in European pro peloton when this promising young American stood on the top step of…
Originally Published July 14, 2014 at Modern Mormon Men I took a tour of the Sydney Fish Market a few years ago when I was in Australia. This fella was begging to be noticed. Blue lobsters occur at a rate of 1:2,000,000 as a result of a genetic mutation that results in an abnormal protein complexing with naturally occurring carotenoids. The resultant complex, known as crustacyanin, gives the lobster’s shell it’s cobalt blue coloration. Though truly impressive to look at, they say this…
Originally Published at Modern Mormon Men on June 24, 2014 During our recent trip to Lithuania I discovered that Vilnius has more churches than Thailand has Buddas (… not really). The beauty of these churches was truly impressive. Their sheer opulence, along with the unmistakable Russian accent that you hear everywhere, made me think of this classic commercial from a few years ago. St Anne’s Church – Vilnius, Lithuania Easily my favorite (Catholic) church The Vilnius, Lithuania LDS chapel on…