Sunday, April 21, 2013

#108: The Worst Eagle Scout in the World.

I have a confession to make: Before this weekend I hadn't gone camping in 13 years (I'm sorry, Ryan. Hopefully you will still consider me as your brother-in-law). Granted, somehow I earned my Eagle Scout award when I was a teenager, but for me, the best way to go "camping" is to rent a condo on the beach with a king size bed, hot tub, fridge, and TV. Despite my ineptitude as a camper, being the second counselor in my ward's young men's presidency gave me the chance to man-up this weekend and go on an overnight camp with 11 of our scouts. Fortunately, I was not alone--in fact, we were led on the campout by one of the best scoutmasters you could ever ask for. He, along with two other dads who are veteran campers, took care of all the hard stuff, which allowed me to do what I do best--look goofy and provide comic relief.
A moron? Yes. But, at least, a warm moron.
Even though it was muddy, cold, muddy, wet, muddy, rainy, and muddy, we actually had a great time. I enjoyed spending time with both the boys and the leaders (Troop 970 is legit!), and we made some good memories. Although I know I am going to regret saying this, I am actually sort-of almost kinda maybe looking forward to the next one! There may be hope for me yet.

Monday, April 15, 2013

#107: Stand up to the FCC.

I was disturbed tonight when I learned that from April 1st to April 30th, the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) is considering a rule change to allow for more profanity and nudity on American public television programming. Citing an inability to keep up with all of the complaints the Commission currently receives regarding instances of profanity and nudity, the Chairman of the Commission has "directed the Enforcement Bureau to focus its indecency enforcement resources on EGREGIOUS cases and to reduce the backlog of pending broadcast indecency complaints" (emphasis added). As explained by the American Family Association, "if enacted, the new FCC policy would allow network television and local radio stations to air the f-word, the s-word and to allow programs to show frontal female nudity, even during hours when they know children will be watching and listening. Current broadcast decency law prohibits expletives and nudity, even if brief or 'fleeting.'"

Okay, let me get this straight...right now, the FCC gets millions of complaints about profanity and nudity on public television. In order to REDUCE the amount of complaints it receives, the FCC is going to allow for even MORE profanity and nudity? "Hello, McFly!!!"
Even Biff knows that logic is ridiculous.
I guarantee that the real reason the FCC is pushing for this change is NOT because it is concerned about the number of complaints it receives. Rather, it is simply bending to the pressure of the big networks like Fox and NBC. If this rule change is passed, I can only imagine what will happen next. It's a slippery slope, indeed.

So, is there anything that YOU do about it? Of course there is! Consider giving the following a try:

First:

1. Follow this link to the official FCC complaint page.
2. Enter the code "13-86" in the "Proceeding Number" box and fill out the few remaining required fields.
3. Enter your comment in the text box provided and click "Continue."
4. From there, review your comment and click "Confirm."

Second:

Spread the word! Tell your family and friends. Tell them to tell their family and friends. Tell them to tell them to tell their...well, you get the idea. As of last night, 56,000 people had already filed official complaints. Let's keep the momentum going! We may never win the fight to make television any cleaner than it currently is, but we can do something to keep it from getting worse! Stand up to the FCC and let your voice be heard!

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

#106: I'm a Sucker for a Cute Love Story.

I like to think I'm pretty manly. I shave every day, I frequently change lightbulbs with my bare hands, and I don't own a single article of pink clothing. However, in one particular way I'm not manly at all--I LOVE a good love story. I cried when I first read "Charly", my heart goes aflutter every time Wesley and Buttercup kiss at the end of "The Princess Bride", and I once watched "Pride and Prejudice"....by myself (I'm not going to admit which version). Thus, tonight when I watched this clip of a returned missionary surprising his girlfriend on her birthday, I couldn't help but smile. You can read more about Josh (the missionary) and Brit (the girlfriend) at the Deseret News.


Cute, right? As Han Solo once replied to Princess Leia, "I know."



Sunday, April 7, 2013

#105: One of the Two Best Weekends of the Year.

My favorite weekend (well, until the next one in six months) has come and gone once again. Oh, how I enjoy General Conference--so much to take in, so much to remember, and so much to recommit to doing better. I feel refreshed and ready to do my best. I'm excited to download the talks and listen to them again as I drive to and from work.

I hope to write some posts on specific talks that were given, but for now I just want to say how grateful I am for the gospel. Oh, and I also wanted to share this:
Amen!